While many could claim 3D to be the major explosion in the tech space last year, I’d argue App Stores have been more prevalent and, arguably, a more fundamental aspect of our day-to-day lives. The problem is there are so many of them and you can’t objectively browse and attain apps from one single store. Or can you?

Prevalent software download site Softwareload has stepped into the mobile space after the success of its UK desktop software portal which launch in the UK last October.

15,000 apps are initially available across BlackBerry, Palm OS, Symbian and Windows Mobile with apps ranging from business software, games and navigation to communication and organisational tools. All apps can be downloaded from the site and installed onto handsets directly or via PCs. So far so good, but what does make for a nice differentiator is Softwareload will allow all customers to store their app purchases securely online for up to twelve months making them immediately available should anything happen to your phone.

Of course, while in some ways a progressive step for older OSes, Softwareload’s portal is somewhat limited when it comes to newer platforms like Android and iPhone OS which use self contained App Stores and keep a payment record in the Cloud to avoid you paying for downloads twice.

That said, this is something I haven’t seen before (feel free to correct me if I’m wrong) and it does potentially have value – especially for a household looking to set up multiple handsets or users curious to explore the apps available to different platform options.

So would you rather have sites with applications for all mobile platforms (including iPhone and Android) or do you prefer dedicated individual stores?

Link:
Softwareload Mobile