LG to launch applications store with focus on Asia

BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhuanet) -- LG Electronics Inc. will launch an online store for mobile phone applications Tuesday with a focus on Asia and an aim to reach more global markets, media reported Monday.

As the world's No. 3 handset maker, LG, which trails Nokia and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd in mobile phones, said in a statement on Monday that the "LG Application Store" would provide 1,400 applications including 100 free programs, available in 15 languages.

The service will first be offered in Asia-Pacific countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Australia and will reach Europe and the South America by the end of this year, with the number of applications offered to increase to more than 2,000, LG said.

Phone makers and mobile firms worldwide are in a race to match the success of Apple's App Store, creating their own virtual stores where users can download software and content.

Improving software is key for LG, which has grown on well-priced handsets but is lagging in the fast-growing smartphone category.

LG has not set any firm plan to launch in the United States marketplace, the stronghold of Apple's iPhone and Research In Motion's Blackberry.

(Agencies)