Nokia to launch Ovi App Store:
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/32620/MWC-Nokia-unveils-Ovi-Store-app-store
O2 Litmus announces partnership with Mob4Hire:
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/32621/O2-customers-to-trial-Litmus-app-store
Nokia & Adobe offer $10m Flash Developer Fund:
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/32634/Adobe-and-Nokia-establish-10m-Flash-fund
Orange Extend App Store:
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/32661/MWC-Orange-extends-App-Shop-adds-widgets
Microsoft unveils Windows Marketplace for Mobile:
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/32658/MWC-Microsoft-unveils-Windows-Marketplace-for-Mobile
Most of today was travelling for me, but I managed to hot foot it across to the Mobile Monday Peer Awards, as O2 Litmus was proud to be one of the sponsors, held at the beautiful Palau Musica Catalana.
Basically each of the 68 MobileMonday Chapters (cities) select their local startup nominee which are filtered down to 20 finalists who present on stage in a 3 minute pitch.
The judging panel, seen below comprised of various industry experts including @unpocodetodo from Telefonica R&D.
The dreaded three minute countdown clock:
The winner "in spite of legal concerns" was Popcatcher who enable personal recording of songs from FM radio broadcasts for storage on the phone as MP3 tracks. On top of that their software also automatically edits out any advertising and DJ chatter. Impressive if it works and is legal!
For a good round up check out @mikebutcher summary here: http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/16/mobile-startups-whittled-down-to-the-last-five-in-barcelona/
Whilst the judging was taking place we all mingled in the bar and I got to catch up with the @mob4hire guys, the guys from Soonr, GetJar, amongst others. It was rough to hear from the Californian guys just how tough financing is at the moment, but the silver lining seems to be if you can make it through this, then your business really has great potential for the up turn.
I must invest in a Netbook so I can do this stuff from the event rather than going back to my hotel to fire up the laptop, still good excuse for a early night in preparation for a busy day.
Hopefully my good intentions to post each day will continue, if not apologies in advance, and follow me on twitter @jamesparton for more immediate thoughts / observations.
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