Microsoft smartens up mobiles with OneApp

Microsoft's OneApp tool adds smartphone applications to low-end phones

Microsoft has released a new software tool designed to add new features to low-end mobile phones.

The company said that the OneApp tool would add smartphone features, such as mobile applications and internet access, to conventional handsets. The tool requires just 150KB of storage space and can be downloaded and installed onto the handset through a home computer.

Microsoft said that the OneApp software would use a number of additional features to reduce resource use, and would minimise network use in order to keep data access charges low.

Third-party software for the platform can be written with web development tools such as XML or JavaScript.

Amit Mital, corporate vice president of the Unlimited Potential group and Startup Business Accelerator at Microsoft, said: "We believe mobile technology plays a pivotal role in addressing people's everyday needs and creating new opportunities for local industry to grow.

"Microsoft OneApp will be able to help people do things they couldn't do before with their feature phone, anything from paying bills to helping diagnose health issues or just staying connected with friends and family."

Initially, Microsoft is aiming OneApp at emerging markets where low-end handsets are more common. The company is currently working on a pilot programme with South African provider Blue Label Telecoms.