Handset makers bet on apps to market mobiles in India

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: To boost sales in the midst of a market leader busy ramping up its offerings and a bunch of domestic players making long strides in the marketplace, handset makers Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson are gaming on services and free apps.

World’s second largest mobile handset maker, Samsung Electronics will soon roll out smartphones based on a new in-house operating system platform, BADA, which will enable users to download music, maps, games and access interactive features online. LG Electronics and Sony Ericsson too are ramping up applications, music and games available on their online stores.

According to Shravani Sen, head and director, qualitative division, at market research firm Synovate India, the integration of mobile handsets with services is really the future of telephony in India and the consumers, both rural and urban, expect more than just a handset from marketers and they are responding to what consumers expect.