Vodafone plans online application store

Vodafone is the latest company to unveil plans for an online application store that will enable developers to make available software and services to customers using any type of mobile device.

The carrier said that it intends to provide a single point of access for Vodafone's global customer base that will let content partners and developers create a range of attractive mobile internet services.

No date has yet been given for the new service, but more details are set to be made available in a press conference later today.

Vodafone said in a statement that the service will enable developers to use its direct billing capabilities to charge customers for applications and services through their existing Vodafone account, rather than having to give their credit card details.

The company is also working on a set of network application programming interfaces so that developers can access direct billing and other capabilities such as location awareness.

However, Vodafone has promised a framework that will provide customers with transparency and control over how their information is accessed and used.

A software developer kit will be released this summer, and the first partners will be invited to participate through Vodafone's Joint Innovation Lab initiative.