In a new report published today, The Information says that Verizon will be creating a global app store in the near future. The venture is in partnership with other carries and hardware manufacturers and is an effort to complete with the Google Play Store and Apple. Supposedly, this move is in response to Google cutting back Play Store revenue that it shares with carriers and OEMs.
Beyond, simply offering apps, Verizon wants to include a service that would proactively recommend specific apps to users, based on their location, time of day and what their friends are doing on devices. Verizon has previously had an app store, which it recently shut down, due to lack of sales.
The ultimate goal here would seem to be to make more money. Itβs particularly interesting that Verizon would be trying to make this move in light of the recent bad press it has received for the throttling issue and the fact that the FCC is really unhappy with their policies. The timing for Verizon seems ill advised, as this is a borderline Net Neutrality issue.
Companies should aspire to make a profit and Verizon has as much right to create another revenue stream for themselves as anyone else. But, in the highly visible business of mobile, this move only adds to a public perception of overreaching greed.
What do you think?
Sources: The Information/Android Headlines
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