inbabble.com

European mobile operator Orange is launching Orange Application Shop in the UK this Spring. The shop (well website/ WAP requests) will actively sell mobile phone widgets for consumers to download. Widgets, or applications, differ from ringtones and wallpaper files in that they are more advanced. Examples of widgets in the mobile market include mapping programs, digital video recorder controllers, and instant messaging platforms.

Orange has invited application programs from it’s partners to submit suggestions. All applications require multiple operating system support (RIM, Symbian, Linux, Java, Microsoft) together with multiple language support. Last week Orange held a partner camp to focus on the upcoming Application Shop launch.

Orange plans to progressive deploy selected widgets to all its European markets.

Widgets provide a fine way to offer customers differentiation from other network providers and provide additional revenue opportunities. As mobiles with suitable operating systems and processing power increase there will no doubt be more carriers keen to develop their widget offerings. Vodaphone has previously announced widgets to bring YouTube, MySpace and Ebay to selected phones, and only yesterday Finish carrier TeliaSonera announced a widget for Microsofts Instant Messaging platform.