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AT&T isn’t going to let their exclusive iPhone and its prolific AppStore get all the mobile app glory anymore. The No. 2 US wireless carrier has been pushing mobile applications through their on-deck AT&T Media Mall for longer than Apple has been selling the iPhone, and it seems AT&T wants to make a mobile app comeback. To that end, Big Blue has just acquired mobile app developer Plusmo.
What’s the big deal? Plusmo is in the business of making it easy to develop mobile apps for a variety of smartphones. Plusmo’s service champions the “code once, run everywhere” philosophy by giving developers the tools to convert/port their mobile app (coded in standardized web language) to the all sorts of smartphone platforms. With Plusmo’s technology under wing, AT&T is looking to encourage mobile devs to craft apps for all of its smartphones, not just the iPhone.
Why? Because AT&T won’t have the iPhone locked down forever. In fact, there’s a growing population of AT&T-hating iPhone lovers that probably wouldn’t have a problem dropping AT&T as their iPhone carrier… right now. When AT&T’s exclusive iPhone deal runs its course, it’s going to have to have a backup plan. That plan likely includes a smartphone portfolio that has enough mobile app support to keep AT&T at the top of its game.
[Update]
AT&T hasn’t fessed up to Plusmo’s purchase price yet, but we’re sure it’s a big number.
[Via: BusinessWeek]
About The Author
Will Park
Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...
