Verizon’s Hub Will Get Its Own Application Store
Following Apple’s success, application stores for mobile devices have been popping up like mushrooms after a rainstorm. Now Verizon Communications is planning an application store for its stationary new Hub device, which is intended to be an all-in-one home phone with a small display for limited Internet access.
The company hopes that, like Apple’s App Store and others that have followed for BlackBerry, Palm, Android and other devices, applications sold or given away through a prominent online location will stimulate third-party developers to produce more software, and thus increase the value of the device. Verizon is also planning the release of a software development kit.
According to news reports, Verizon is looking to launch its Hub app market this year.
Offered to Anyone
The Hub has been on sale since Feb. 1 for Verizon Wireless customers, but Verizon Communications said it is dropping that restriction and will allow anyone to buy the device. The company is marketing the Hub to customers who not only need a phone, but who would also like to have some Internet access to news, weather, sports and daily menus at the local high-school cafeteria.
Additionally, Verizon and other traditional phone companies are concerned about the numbers of customers who are dropping landlines for either cell phones or Voice-over-Internet (VoIP) phones. The Hub is a Net phone, running off an Internet connection.
The company is reportedly preparing new versions of the Hub, including sleeker models that look like a digital picture frame and models that support multi-touch interaction.
Verizon will also be offering its own widgets, or small software programs, cooking videos, games and other applications.
Industry observers are wondering if the Hub is a viable device in this recessionary economy, especially given the $199 price for the hardware and an additional $34.99 per month for the service.
Competing with Netbooks?
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