Samsung's new App Store - Keeping up with the iPhone-ses?

Samsung has announced the development of an online portal that will provide mobile access to a cornucopia of ringtones, music, on-demand video and games, competing with Apple's almighty App Store. This follows in the footsteps of rivals Nokia, Google, and BlackBerry, with their respective Ovi, Android Market and Storefront portals.

Whilst there isn't a release date or even a name for the online portal yet, it has been revealed that Samsung have chosen Streamezzo, a software publisher for mobiles based in Paris, to develop it. Chances are you've not heard of Streamezzo, but there's every chance that you might have unwittingly used a feature on your mobile that they've developed.

Already in use on over 250 mobile handsets, and not just high-end ones, Streamezzo develops stuff for practically every mobile platform and OS there is, including Symbian (S60 5th), Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Android, Linux, and even the iPhone OS.

"Putting Streamezzo's experience at the service of Samsung's vision confirmed our capacity to deliver in short time compelling mobile applications despite the fragmented environment," said Streamezzo's CEO Olivier Avaro.

There's no denying that Apple's entry into the mobile market has been nothing short of a revolution. Pretty much everyone and their dog has come up with an 'iPhone killer' touchscreen, and now everyone is doing the same with regard to App Store, playing catch-up with Apple's online vendor.

If Samsung is interested in really making an impact, then their online shop is going to have to be something a bit more special than an exercise in keeping up with the Jobses.

By Thomas Newton