Orange follows Apple into app store land

TELECOM OUTFIT Orange has become the latest to follow Apple into the apparent goldmine which is an App store.

Orange launched its App Shop today providing 5,000 applications, games, ringtones and wallpapers. We are sure the 5,000 figure will really scare Apple, but guess Orange has to start somewhere.

Orange has promised to work with with developers and content providers to expand its App Shop catalogue with thousands of new applications running on Java, Android, Blackberry, Symbian and Windows Mobile.

The multi-platform store will provide access to Orange TV, Orange Games and Orange Maps alongside an expanding catalogue of premium mobile applications from content providers and third-party application developers.

Anything in the shop can be downloaded and purchased on one Orange mobile bill, so customers don't need to use their credit cards, which is one of the reasons why many avoid Itunes.

The service is now available to more than one million customers in France and the UK.

In January, Orange devices including the Nokia 6700, SonyEricsson W995 and the Sony Ericsson Yari U100i (France only) will be preloaded with the App Shop and sold in the UK and France. Later preloads will also include Samsung, LG, HTC, Motorola and RIM handsets.

Throughout 2010, Orange will continue to roll-out its App Shop in Spain, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Slovakia, Belgium, Austria, Moldova and Portugal. µ