Sony Ericsson joins the apps party

Sony Ericsson is the latest handset vendor to launch third-party software services

Sony Ericsson has become the latest mobile phone vendor to plan an online marketplace for third-party applications.

The company said on Wednesday that it will roll out an addition to its PlayNow download service, which will allow users to obtain third-party software for the company's handsets.

Developers will be able to begin submitting software for approval on 1 July, and applications can be written as either Java ME or Symbian OS code. The company said that it will not be charging developer fees for submissions.

"Sony Ericsson is delighted to introduce applications as the latest evolution of PlayNow Arena, offering an established marketplace to our developer and partner community," said Sony Ericsson head of content and services Björn Ahlberg.

"By bringing high-quality applications into PlayNow Arena, consumers are only one click away from the worldwide creativity of innovative application developers."

The news makes Sony Ericsson the latest in an expanding crop of handset and mobile software vendors opening third-party software services.

Along with Apple and its App Store, Google Android, Palm WebOS, Nokia, Sun and Windows Mobile have all launched or are developing third-party application services.