Microsoft unveiled OneApp, a new software application that enables feature phones — commonly found in emerging markets — to access mobile apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Windows Live Messenger, and other popular apps and games.
OneApp is a lightweight software client with an on-phone footprint of just 150 KB. It dynamically launches just the parts of a mobile app that a person wants to use, eliminating additional installation time and the need for a person to store all of the mobile apps on the phone. OneApp includes cloud services that help offload processing and storage from the phone to the Internet, improving overall performance. Software developers can write new apps for OneApp using industry standards such as JavaScript and XML. An SDK will be launched later this year. Microsoft said OneApp is optimized for GPRS.
Blue Label Telecoms in South Africa will use OneApp as part of a new and upcoming release of its mibli consumer mobile service. As a result of a strategic relationship with Blue Label Telecoms, mibli, powered by Microsoft OneApp, will ship with more than a dozen new mobile apps. Additional apps will be available in the future, focusing on areas such as healthcare. Consumers in South Africa can download and install mibli for free.
Microsoft said OneApp complements its existing mobile strategy by bringing mobile apps and services to feature phones in emerging markets.
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