Tag Archive for ‘windows mobile’ at WIP Jam Sessions

32 mobile appstores!

That’s what we finished 2009 with (see January report on wipconnector)! And luckily we do not list yet the various appstore announcements on the verge of the mobile sphere like the Ford SYNC enabled appstore or Sun Java Store otherwise our wiki would be on fire.

So 2009 was the year of the appstore glut maybe… however it was also a year that saw new forms / concepts of appstores rather than un-differentiated ones, addressing specific issues such as discovery and recommendation or specific markets which can only be favorable for developers and consumers. Have a look at the newcomers for December and judge by yourself.

If we are to judge future smartphone platform success by the number of appstores distributing their apps, Android has a slight lead with 53% of appstores distributing Android apps, followed by Windows Mobile with 50% (mostly for historical reason one could claim), Blackberry with 40% and Symbian with 37.5% are forming a second group of established players, followed by iPhone and Palm with 19% closing the ranks.

What is even more interesting is to look at the fact that about 2/3 of these appstores were launched in the last 6 months… looking at the platforms targeted by these appstores the results are in line with the previous numbers. If we look at “new appstores” only… those created in the past 6 months… unsurprisingly a lot more fragmentation kicks in as the number of new appstores players concentrating on a specific platform counterbalances the large OEM / Operators coming in this space. So newer players but… the same trend can be seen with 40% for Android and Windows mobile, 27% for Symbian and 18% for Blacbkerry, 13% for iPhone, and 5% by Palm and Limo (for widget only).

One can only be surprised looking at these figures by the similarities between a long established (struggling?) player in the mobile platform space Microsoft and the new kid on the block Google’s Android. Both of them encouraging or generating fortuitously the creation of somewhat fragmented appstores ecosystem around the platform . Sign of success or sign of failure?

New appstores in December:

Zanox : Simple concept of appstore including mobile, web code snippet, SAAS, looking to connect developers to brands and publishers. A B2B exchange place aimed at increasing on-line purchases by encouraging developers to produce interactive and addictive applications using Zanox affiliate APIs.

In a sense this appstore concept brings something rather new and interesting to developers : access to B2B marketing and advertising money without the need to build personal commercial relationships with brands and agencies… With the obvious drawback of getting a much higher share of risk and exposing themselves to copy.

Overall this is a good example of a web appstore and will be a good touchstone to see how revenue making can be associated with the mobile web.

MobileIron: Another good example of an appstore turning towards B2B to bring new revenue streams for developers. In this case by getting IS department within enterprises to select / pay for / deploy applications for their entire workforce. This kind of solution could sounds like an obvious merge between traditional device management solutions and appstores. But in an era where the enterprise mobile IT agenda tends to follow consumer mobile technology solutions, this could be a good way for enterprises to do a substantial leapfrog in their mobile IS policies.

It is also quite interesting to see how new appstores position themselves around recommendation(see very good post from Visionmobile on the subject), generating revenue from affiliation (as per our previous post on ideal appstore). 2 examples there :

Mplayit an appstore entirely built as a facebook application

and positioned around facebook friend recommendation.

Specialised in iPhone, Blackberry, Java applications, and

recently Android .
AppstoreHQ.com an appstore specialized

in social media / twitter / blogger recommendation for iPhone applications.

That’s it for 2009!

Now tell us! What will you remember of 2009 when it comes to appstores ?

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Update as of: Wed. February 11:
View the Mobile Version here:
http://m.wipjam.com/2009/02/developer-survivor-guide-to-mwc09-update/ ; thanks to our friends at Mobify

And download the pdf version here - one double sided page is all you need to carry around to get you thru the week!

Booth Add: Intertek (NSTL) - 2.1D70
Events: Swedish Beers change to Wed.

Heading to a big show can be very overwhelming and very tiring. But if planned can turn out to be extrememly rewarding if connecting to the right people, finding out intelligence and even making some killer sales and partnerships.

WIP has put together a Developer Survival Guide to Mobile World Congress, in order to help make the best use if your time and resources. Included are suggested exhibits to visit, special activities, and some TIPs. This is our first cut, if you want to add something please let us know asap. Our intent is to have a pdf and mobile version for you prior to the show. And we will print some hard copies to share while we are there. it’s all you will need!

THE EXHIBITS
The first step is to review the booths/exhibitions stands. There are over 1300 booths at MWC09 in 8 different buildings, and several outdoor temporary structures such as in the Courtyard. We’ve narrowed it down to 44 for you. We’ve identified these specifically for developers, as these companies have developer programs or tools for mobile development.

Recommend Booths to visit:
(Have Developer Programs or tools for development)

ACCESS Co Ltd - CY10(3-0 Courtyard)

Acision-8A86(8), 8A93(8)
AdMob-7C70(7), 7HS09(7)

Adobe Systems Incorporated - 1E05(1-0)

Bharti Telesoft AV70(Avenue)
Device Anywhere 2A17(2-0)

Canadian Pavilion 2.158

Ericsson - 8A170(8), AV07(Avenue)
Fox Mobile/Jamster 7A86(7-0)
Garmin EUROPE - 7C37(7)
Handmark 2H13(2-0 )
HTC - 1B22(1-0)
Intel Corporation - 8B109(8)
Intertek (NSTL) - 2.1D70
LG 8B192(8) 8B197(8)
LiMO Foundation - 8A125(8-0), 8B135(8-0)

Microsoft - 1D19(1-0) & Avenue

Mobile Distillery 2F49(2-0)

Mob4Hire IZ4(7-0)
Motorola - 8A159(8), 8A152(8)
Navteq 1G45(1-0)
Netbiscuits 7A49(7)
Nokia 8C167(8), 8B177(8). 8B169(8)
NTT DoCoMo 8B117(8)

O2 Litmus (Telefonica) 8B178(8) 

Opera 2B77(2)
Openwave Systems - AV97(Avenue)

Oracle - AV44(Avenue)

Orange - CY03(3-0 Courtyard)
Paca Mobile Centre 2F49(2-0)
Palm, Inc. - CY09(3-0 Courtyard)
Qualcomm Incorporated - 8B53(8), 8C44(8)
Research In Motion Limited - CY04(3-0 Courtyard), 8B91(8)
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd - CY01(3-0 Courtyard),
Sierra Wireless, Inc. - AV99(Avenue)
Smaato 7A38(7)

Sony Ericsson - 8A80(8), 8B56(8)

Sun Microsystems, Inc - 2C12(2-0)
Sybase 365 - 2A15(2-0)

Symbian Foundation - 8A77(8), AV91(Avenue)

Tele Atlas - 8C118(8)
Telefonica (O2 Litmus) 8B178(8) 8B185(8)
Toshiba 8A111(8), AV68(Avenue)
Yahoo! - 7B26(7)
ZED CY11(Courtyard)

Tip#1 Try and book your meetings before you arrive at the show. Most of these booth have staff on hand specifically to meet developers and ISVs. Don’t forget to bring tons of business cards.

Note: The Little Jamm’r indicates part of the Scavenger Hunt for Jam attendees.

http://www.showplans.co.uk/mwc09/

REGISTRATION
Tip#2 Pick up your badge Saturday or Sunday. Avoid long line ups on Monday morning. Bring your Bar code, it will save you time - like hours.

MWC 2009 Registration Times:
Saturday, February 14th 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Sunday, February 15th 9:00AM - 8:00PM
Monday, February 16th 7:00AM - 8:00PM
Tuesday, February 17th 7:30AM - 7:00PM
Wednesday, February 18th 7:30AM - 7:00PM
Thursday, February 19th 7:30AM - 5:00PM

DEVELOPER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

SUNDAY (FEB 15)

Mobile Sunday Barcelona hosted by Dotopen (CLUB MIX)
7:00-Midnite: The fourth annual MobileSunday - an unofficial, informal and generally cool and funky gathering of mobile bloggers and their chums - will be taking place in Barcelona on the eve of this year’s Mobile World Congress (formerly known as 3GSM) on Sunday, February 15, 2009. Want to be part of it? All you need to do is register. It’s FREE! http://www.amiando.com/mobilesunday.html

MONDAY (FEB 16)
TIP#3 The ‘Suits’ rule at this event. So ditch the jeans and t-shirts except for the parties, and don the suit and tie to impress. Oh yeah – there is lots of walking, so wear comfy shoes or bring an extra pair.

The GSMA Mobile Innovation Market: (Hall 5, Auditorium 2)
09:00 – 5:30 pm: Unique blend of elevator pitches, speed dating, thought-leading keynotes and provocative panel discussions. See developers compete for the accolade of best vertical and best consumer applications as they face the Dragon’s Den-style expert panel live on stage.

The Mobile Application Developer Garage (Hall 5, Auditorium 3)
9:30am Keynote – Jim Balsillie, RIM
1000-1045: Cross Platform Panel
11:45 to 12:30pm: Future of the App Environment
2:15 to 3:00pm Operator Developer Partnerships
4:30-5:15pm Taking Apps to Market
New event for 2009, includes a demo breakout area and reception. Requires a conference pass in order to attend. I am chairing the afternoon session.

Mobile Monday Mobile Peer Awards: (PALAU DE LA MÚSICA CATALANA)
4:00-8:00pm: The MobileMonday Mobile Peer Awards Barcelona are among the most influential events in the mobile industry and, with 1000 attendants, the point of reference in startup innovation during the MWC. . Registration required at http://www.amiando.com/mobilepeerawards .

TUESDAY (FEB 17)
Watch for some very cool developer announcements from ADOBE.

“Connect with Canada” (Hall 2, Room C)
9:00 – 10:30: Sparkling-wine Breakfast to meet cutting edge Canadian, government officials and representatives from key mobile firms from around the world
11:30- 13:30: Canada-Africa Forum the rapid growth of the mobile sector in Sub-Saharan Africa
Register http://www.canadawireless.org/MWC2009
I’m speaking at both of these events, and the Canadian government also helped us secure a room at the FIRA for JAM - so thanks!

OneAPI Seminar: (GSMA Seminar Theatre, GSMA Pavilion. Hall 7, Stand 7P01)
09:30–12:30: Find out the progress of the GSMA’s OneAPI project allowing developers to access multiple operators using a common set of APIs. The seminar is a FREE additional option with MWC registration. Acceptance will be confirmed by email.

The Mobile Innovation Market: (Hall 5,)
09:00am–5:30pm: See Monday.

Mobile Distillery - Hall 2, Stand 2F49
11:30am - Worldwide Preview Event

Forum Nokia & NAVTEQ : (Poble Espanyol)(Courtesy shuttle buses to/from Mobile World Congress will be provided)
3:30-4:00pm: Nokia Calling All Innovators awards
4:00-4:30pm: NAVTEQ LBS Challenge award
4:30-6:30pm: Reception
More info and register here: http://mktools.forum.nokia.com/invitation/callingallinnovators .

ACCESS Reception (ACCESS Hospitality Suite #CY10, Courtyard)
4:00 – 7:00pm Cocktails and Reception
RSVP www.access-company.com/news/events/mwc_2009/

TIP#4 It’s ok to nap between parties and dinner and parties. Most restaurants don’t open up til 10pm. A bit of rest is necessary to maximize networking! For the biggest listing of MWC parties go to: www.mobileslate.com

WEDNESDAY (FEB 18)
Yahoo! wil be demonstrating Blueprint, their new mobile development platform for building mobile sites, applications and widgets.

GoMo News Blender (Bella Chica Vilaruel)
18:00-22:00: GoMo News blenders are informal and!
Sign up on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=57398618712

WIP’s Pre-Jam Connecting Party (Bel Chica)
9:30pm – immediately following the GoMo Blender
Always known as the place to have fun and make good connections! Join us.

Swedish Beers
8pm to late
http://swedishbeers.blogspot.com

THURSDAY (FEB 19)
WIP Jam Session – (Hall 2, Room D)
10:15 – 16:30:
Join WIP for our popular Day for Developers at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The best mobile developers meet key leaders of the mobile ecosystem in interactive sessions where we are serious about no panels, no ppt and no ties! The swag is looking really good. Just a few spots left.

Tip #5 Go Green if you can —bring your own refillable water bottle; use the subway, collect written collateral only if you are going to use it rather than it ending up in your hotel garbage.

TIP #6 Cut costs – bring an unlocked phone get a local sim card; ask the person in front of you if they are going to the same place; buy snacks at the grocery store and bring to MWC. We have booked a 5 bedroom apartment that gives us lots more room and also save us some money!

We hope you find this helpful! Again, let us know if you have any updates or comments. Follow us on Twitter for late minute updates, www.twitter.com/mobilejam
The WIP team of Caroline, Teresa, Arv and Ed looking forward to seeing you next week. If there is something we can help you with - make a connection or point you in the right direction - don’t hesitate to ask.

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