Late on July 15, mobile software maker Symbian previewed Symbian Horizon, an application-publishing program, which aims to reduce the barriers developers face when taking their products to market and thus increase the profitability of creating Symbian applications.
The program will assist with application certification, language translations, and marketing programs. The program will target individual developers and companies striving to reach a broader mobile consumer market–in addition, Symbian will partner with app retail portals like Nokia’s Ovi Store and AT&T’s MEdia Mall to source smartphone applications. Still, Symbian’s operating system is found on over 70 different types of handset across 26 countries, and currently has a 49.3% share of the smartphone market, according to research firm Gartner. “Apple’s application strategy is tied to a single [handset] model product line, and one store front,” said Puckrin.
Horizon plans to formally launch the initiative in October 2009.
