CTIA Wireless 2009
AT&T Shows Its Commitment to Openness by Fuelling Rapid Application Development
| Apr 6, 2009 | Wireless Services - U.S. | Show Update
|
Analyst: Deepa Karthikeyan
Current Perspective: Slightly Negative
Vendor Importance: Moderate
Market Impact: Moderate |
|
Event Summary
April 2, 2009 –- AT&T has launched AT&T Apps Beta, a program that will allow developers registered in its devCentral developer relations program with an opportunity to test drive their applications. Developers can receive comments and feedback from their potential target audience allowing them to improve their offerings and increase its success rate before submitting it to the carrier for review. Developers can trial their applications for four-six weeks. The program enables consumers with compatible handsets and unlimited data plans to download and trial the applications free.
Analytical Summary
• Current Perspective: Slightly positive on AT&T’s Apps Beta launch as it allows the carrier to better cater to its developer community and encourages them to submit more applications to its devCentral program. The Apps Beta program provides developers with a sanctioned platform to test drive their new and existing applications on their target consumers, receive comments and feedback in order to improve their products. The program also allows for a democratic selection as the carrier indicated that it would choose the applications that receive the best reviews and ratings and promote it on its deck. The application will also secure a position in the carrier’s Media Mall storefront. Users can download the beta applications featured in the program free as long as they subscribe to an unlimited data plan. However, during launch, the program will only be available on ten handsets which might limit its reach..
• Vendor Importance: Moderate to AT&T as the launch attracts attention to its devCentral program making it developer friendly. Apps Beta will also lead to an increase in the carrier’s unlimited data plan subscriptions (a prerequisite to use the program) and renew interest in its Media Mall store.
• Market Impact: Moderate to the U.S. wireless segment, because although Apps Beta provides AT&T with a differentiator in the U.S wireless carrier space and get more customer approved applications on the deck, it is unlikely to create a stir in the application marketplace as a whole as developers are likely to continue pursuing handset based app stores that are more lucrative and offer a wider reach.
CLIENTS ONLY
Current Perspective
Competitive Positives and Concerns
| Client access - Full report in Wireless Services - U.S. | More information
Top
|
