Vodafone unveils Android version of 360 Shop

In a move to extend the reach of its Vodafone 360 Shop, the company has committed to include Android handsets, beginning with the HTC Wildfire and Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro this summer.

Vodafone said that the Android version of the 360 Shop is designed to help customers search for and browse for appropriate applications. This includes personalised recommendation tools and dynamically changing promotional areas such as best rated, top downloads, categories and filtered lists.

The company said that the new 360 Shop on Android will also provide app developers with the ability to publish either JIL or native Android apps in the 360 Shop. These firms will also be able to take advantage of existing Vodafone features such as clear pricing, a transparent review process and in-depth reporting.

"Developers want to know that their apps will be seen by consumers, and the 360 Shop on Android has been designed to maximise opportunities for content promotion," said Lee Epting, director of content services at Vodafone. "Initial data is showing that up to a third of the catalogue gets exposed in a single day. This is a market-leading approach which will allow both customers and developers to get great value out of the 360 Shop."

To date, over 8,500 apps have been published in the 360 Shop and eight European markets currently offer around 100 different handsets capable of accessing the Vodafone 360 services.

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