Sony Ericsson enters the application market

Mobile handset manufacturer Sony Ericsson will now sell applications that can be used on its devices, the company has announced.

It will join with GetJar to distribute the applications over the existing PlayNow channel that allows Ericsson users to download media content to their mobiles. The move places Ericsson with Apple, Nokia, Research in Motion, Microsoft and Google in the mobile application market.

“We recognise that it needs to be simple and attractive for developers to reach consumers and that there is a need for established content channels to push creative applications,” Christopher David, head of developer and partner engagement at Sony Ericsson, said in a statement.

“Our new application submission process gives developers easy-to-use access to the Sony Ericsson PlayNow arena marketplace.”

The company said that it will take a portion of the money earned from applications, with the rest going directly to developers. Application submissions will begin in July, with the store to open later this year.