We are pleased to introduce our newest featured site, MobileApps.com. Their cool widget can be seen on the right sidebar. Looking for an app, check them out!. On to the interview.
Q. When did MobileApps.com launch?
A: MobileApps.com was launched in June 2011 and our Japanese site launched in August 2011. We are still in beta version and is iterating to find a proper fit for our stakeholders. We are anticipating a full launch by the 3rd quarter of this year.
Q. Why did you start the site?
A: We started this site after we bought the domain name as an investment. After much research, we found out that the mobile app economy is exploding and decided to fully develop the domain. As we were still early in the game and the existing industry was still going through major restructuring, there were many gaps to be exploited. We dived headlong into addressing these gaps and the rest is history.
Q. Why should someone used your site/service?
A. MobileApps.com creates a platform where developers and publishers directly deal with one another in selling apps directly to app consumers, cutting off the middleman. Developers gain 95% payout for apps downloaded, where the remaining percentage are used for administrative and transaction charges. Higher earnings means developers can lower the price of apps for consumers. This in turn encourages higher download rates. MobileApps.com is a one stop app marketplace where users can find apps across all major mobile platforms.
Q. How does a a developer get setup on MobileApps.com?
A. Developers can sign up for absolutely free. Import apps over from the Android Marketplace and iTunes App Store with a single click. If your app is already hosted in our site, claim it! If your app is not hosted in our site, upload it! Its fast and easy to use.
Q. Where do you see the site/service going in the future
A. We foresee MobileApps.com as the central repository for mobile apps, across all open platforms. It will also be a portal for mobile app information, reviews, editorials, etc. One of our vision is also to help apps get discovered out of the clutter of app stores, using the open internet. Using our discovery solutions which are the Smart Widgets, mobile apps will soon be distributed out of the app stores and from major websites as a distributions channel.
The Smart Widget are interactive mini app stores plugged onto websites which is highly targeted. Automotive apps can be advertised on automotive websites, travel apps featured on travel pages and fashion apps shown on clothing sites. Hopefully both developers and publishers could make use of the concept. We are also looking to further expand and localize MobileApps.com worldwide. The site is now available in Japanese version. China would be next on our list.
Q. What do you see in the future of Android?
A. Android has already taken over iOS as the platform of choice in many countries, for both consumers and developers and will get even bigger as time goes by. We foresee that Android will power most mobile devices, since it is more open. Android offers more freedom and flexibility. This attracts new and young generation of developers to develop Android applications. This could lead to more innovation and creation of Android apps, bringing about growth in the end users. Android will be for the mass consumer market, where as iOS will be for the niche higher-end market.
