Vodacom app store: the lowdown

Vodacom is launching a multi-platform mobile application store at the beginning of September 2011. The company says it wants to help foster a local app industry and provide apps for both feature phones and smartphones. But does the move make sense?

By Craig Wilson

29 Aug 2011

South Africa has a long history of being left out in the cold when it comes to Internet-based services for local technology products. Microsoft's Xbox Live, which allows users to play against one another via an Internet connection, arrived years after the Xbox hardware went on sale here. And Apple's music store still isn't available, nor Research in Motion's new BBM Music service.

The question is whether local companies should really be building alternative avenues to apps rather than simply facilitating access to existing ones. Isn't this merely a duplication intended to earn operators a piece of the revenue application sales generate?

Continue reading the full story, as well as App World leads Android, Apple markets in SA, on www.TechCentral.co.za.

About Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson is an ICT journalist and speaker based in Johannesburg. He is deputy editor at TechCentral, the South African source for technology news, reviews and opinion, and regularly provides insight into the technology industry for radio and television. Email him at craig@techcentral.co.za, follow @craigwilson on Twitter and connect on LinkedIn.
View my profile and articles...