Telecompaper

LG Electronics is launching an online store for mobile phone applications on 14 July, with an initial focus on Asia and aspirations for a more global reach by year-end. The LG Application Store will provide 1,400 applications including 100 free programmes, available in fifteen languages. The service will first be offered in Asia-Pacific countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Australia and will reach Europe and South America by the end of this year, when the number of applications to be offered should increase to more than 2,000. LG has not set any firm plan to launch the marketplace in the US. The LG Application Store is tied to the LG Mobile Developer Network, a website specifically designed for third-party software developers of LG mobile phones. Since its opening last October, the site has been significantly renovated with enhanced contents and functionality. Currently the website supports Java SDK, while for widgets, it will support virtual developer lab and over-the-air downloads by the end of the year. The LG Application Store's beta launch coincides with the introduction of the LG-GM730, the newest LG smartphone which was showcased during CommunicAsia in Singapore last month. This will be the first handset to offer direct access to the app store.