Verizon announced at CTIA that it will launch its very own app store on March 29th, adding to the growing number of marketplaces hitting the scene in recent months.
Dubbed the V CAST Apps Store, it’s meant to complement the existing app store on the carrier’s smartphones, starting with the BlackBerry Storm2 and then rolling out over additional devices in “the next few weeks and months.”
Though details are still relatively scant in terms of what apps will be available at launch, the main component that will appeal to consumers is integrated carrier billing, which allows users to purchase apps without the need of entering credit card information or signing up for a different account. Charging user’s via their wireless bill will “earn loyalty from Verizon customers,” stated Leroy Williams, Verizon’s developer community liaison.
“We think we’re going to deliver a much cleaner, much more organized and quality app experience,” Williams continued. “The store will leverage exclusives, and bring quality premium apps.”
Verizon will be the second US carrier to launch their own carrier-initiated app store, following Sprint’s recent launch of its “Sprint Zone” marketplace. AT&T and T-Mobile have yet to join the bandwagon, though both have primitive “portals” on their devices.
