Not to be left behind, both Samsung and Nokia are set to unveil a new mobile app store at the upcoming MWC 2009. Samsung will launch its Samsung Mobile Applications app with just over 1,000 apps initially available for mainly Symbian S60 and Windows Mobile powered devices. Both freeware and commercial apps will be available.

Nokia, which owns the Symbian OS, will also unveil its Nokia app store as well during the conference. Nokia already has its app store finalized; it just now needs to officially unveil it. The new app stores will help the millions of users of the most used mobile OS Symbian find and use useful mobile applications, as currently, people mainly search online the internet and online forums to find the apps. Apple was the first to launch its highly successful app store. RIM then subsequently launched its app store for its Blackberry Storm. Palm will also unveil its own app store as well for its upcoming Palm Pre handset.

Also, I just wanted to comment on the trend shift to mobile gaming. Apple is starting to push the iPhone as the best gaming phone, and now Microsoft is also starting to push its Windows Mobile phones as gaming devices too evident from its website, shifting from emphasizing productivity features to mobile gaming. Via