An industry expert has claimed that mobile applications are ‘here to stay’ after Nokia launched a nationwide competition for its own app store, called Ovi.
Tom Newton, a spokesperson for mobile phone information site Recombu.com, said that Apple’s iTunes and App Store had proven that there is a rich seam to be mined within app sales and mobile content.
He added: “Virtually all of the major networks and mobile manufacturers have launched or are working on some form of app store or online music, film or content portal – apps are definitely here to stay.”
Mr Newton’s comments came as Nokia announced its contest to encourage developers in the UK to produce a variety of applications, which will be available to download from the Ovi Store.
Apps are sought in five categories including social location, business productivity and social networking with the overall winner across the five categories being given £20,000 in cash and a ticket to a Nokia developer event in spring 2010.