Intel to launch Atom Application Store

Bangalore: To support its recent deals with automobile manufacturer Daimler and BMW for providing Atom based entertainment systems, Intel is planning to provide a platform to encourage the developers to build applications for Atom based devices.

Intel plans to launch appdeveloper.intel.com as a development platform and offer applications to end users in an Atom Application Store.

Experts define that personal computing platform is evolving and Apple is believed to be the trend setter of the entire mobile device world, as others are trying to emulate the features and functionality of the iPhone.

The Blackberry application store could not manage to put a good show, as Google's Android market failed to capture the Apple's Application Store appeal. The Palm Pre experienced some success. Microsoft even went out of its way to get iPhone developers to defect to the Windows Mobile Application Store. This makes out that the application store, which was an innovative idea of Apple, has worked out well apart from its recent issues and conflicts of interest and has been a success for Apple.

"We want to fuel the growth of Intel Atom based products designed for the mobile lifestyle. The netbook has become one of the most popular consumer devices in the market today, but its true potential has been limited by applications that are not optimized for its mobility and smaller screen size. The Intel Atom Developer Program provides a great opportunity for developers to create useful and inventive applications that will unlock netbook's potential while opening a new sales and distribution channel," said Renee James, Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Intel Software and Services Group.

The developers will receive 70 percent of the revenue from every sale from every partner store, as from the remaining 30 percent, Intel will "cover their costs". The developers will be able to use some of their revenue for promoting their applications. Also, by developing application components, money can be made in exchange of a percentage share of revenue from a single application sold which uses the component.

The software development kit will be available soon. The developers can also join and become members of the Intel Atom Develop Program. The annual fee will be $99, but it is free for a limited time.