Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Joining the “openness” bandwagon led by Google’s Android to remove the barriers in the mobile industry, AOL has announced at the Mobile World Congress its own AOL Open Mobile Platform.

It will basically enable outside developers to create innovative mobile applications that can run on major mobile device platforms such as BREW, Java, Linux, RIM, Symbian, and Windows Mobile. Here’s the technical version as explained by AOL:

“The platform will consist of three components: an XML-based, next-generation markup language; an ultra-lightweight mobile device client; and an application server. A dynamic presentation layer will allow for rapid deployment of new features and easy optimization for a wide variety of mobile devices, allowing developers to build and update applications once, and then distribute them across all supported devices and platforms.”

With ready-access tools and source codes expected to be available this summer, third-party developers can craft new applications based on AOL’s products including AOL Instant Messenger, AOL Video, MapQuest, Userplane, Truveo and WinAmp. More importantly, AOL will help developers generate revenues from their applications through online advertising.

Then again, will developers support this system? Aside from Android, third-party developers will also be very busy with the upcoming iPhone and iPod touch SDK.

Read [AOL Developer Network]