Samsung to launch app store September 14

T
he mobile application scene has exploded, and Samsung wants a piece of the pie. The company is anticipating a September 14 launch for their mobile app store entry. The store, shrewdly dubbed "Samsung Application Store," will initially appear in the UK, France, and Italy, but the company eventually expects it to be available in more than 30 countries including Germany and Spain.

To begin with, users of Samsung's Omnia and I8910 HD devices will have access to the store, but it will expand to include other models such as the Omnia II and OmniaLITE. The Samsung Application Store, like any other, will contain a variety of software including utilities for reference, social networking, health, and e-books. Like most similar services, the store will encompass one-click downloading.

At launch, Samsung will provide around 300 approved applications. The company expects that number to swell beyond 2,000 by the year's end. Among the new store's application providers are Gameloft, Electronic Arts, Handmark, TAITO, Paragon SW, Capcom, Com2us, Prompt, Pearson Longman, Bokan Tech and Diotek.

Users of the supported handsets will need to upgrade their devices in order to activate the service. Omnia owners can reportedly download and install the mobile client here, and I8910 HD customers can update via the "Application Download" icon on their phone.