Japan's Softbank Mobile has no plans to launch an operator-branded Android storefront, but the carrier is instead open to the possibility of launching a WAC-based app store in time to come, Softbank's Executive VP Ted Matsumoto toldTelecomAsia.
The carrier already plans to release widgets based on the WAC-2 standard by the second half of this year.
Softbank is one of the four mobile operators backing the WAC initiative, which is being touted as operators' answer to end Apple and Google’s dominance in the mobile apps space.
But Matsumoto said the operator is not likely to follow the footsteps of larger rival NTT Docomo in launching an operator-owned Android storefront, as he feels the built-in Android market is sufficient.
“We do not preclude the possibility of having our own Android storefront, but are not too keen on idea at the moment,” he said.
Apple’s iPhone may be Softbank’s flagship product, but the carrier is increasingly seeing the value of Android-based phones as a means of diversifying its portfolio, Matsumoto said.
“Our best-selling Android phone is a model from Sharp, but we’re also interested in several models that the Chinese vendors are offering.”
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