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June 30, 2010

Alcatel Lucent says it is acquiring Programmable Web Inc., a repository for about 2,200 APIs (application programming interfaces) for an undisclosed amount of cash and debentures.

This new acquisition will provide Alcatel access to Programmable Web's large developer community, as well as the company's 2,200 APIs, usage patterns, monitoring services, trial services and its automated update services.

Alcatel-Lucent added that it will be able to bundle all these types of services under its existing Open API service. Additionally, the acquisition will offer mobile developers access to Alcatel-Lucent's large assortment of various resources, including a "dashboard" that allows developers to see how their apps are being monetized on various wireless networks.

Laura Merling, vice president of Alcatel-Lucent's global developer division says “If you look at any company that launches a new API, you quickly realize that the one thing the most successful APIs all have in common is a vibrant developer ecosystem. Our goal is to protect the uniqueness and independence of Programmable Web Inc. as an API repository and developer resource, while adding beneficial technologies and service provider relationships to the mix for everyone's benefit.”

Wireless carriers, mobile service operators, chip makers, handset manufacturers, operating system providers and infrastructure companies are all trying to reach the wireless developer community as the mobile Web starts to drive growth in all those segments of the industry.

Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, Vodafone Group, Qualcomm, Nokia, Google and Research In Motion are just a few of the companies courting mobile developers to write apps for their networks, devices and OSs.

As such, infrastructure companies like Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson are trying to position themselves in the middle of the equation, helping mobile operators leverage network's assets for developers.

John Musser, Programmable Web founder says “We've always sought to place developers first, by giving them the most timely and comprehensive picture of everything related to APIs. That mission will be strengthened and expanded by joining forces with Alcatel-Lucent. As mobile APIs become more central to software strategies in all domains, we'll make Programmable Web an even better one-stop independent source.”

With the acquisition, Musser will move to Alcatel-Lucent and continue to oversee the Programmable Web business, which will operate as a separate division.

The press release announcing the acquisition said Programmable Web's mobile developer community counts hundreds of thousands of developers all over the world. As such, the acquisition will help drive Alcatel-Lucent's Application Enablement strategy, which connects operators and the developer community.

More and more today, mobile apps are driving new avenues for business in the wireless segment. All these new trends are pulling mobile app developers, content publishers and even venture capitalists into a rapidly growing group of app people.

In a way, it's common sense that events pertaining to app developers would be on the increase, and they are. And now they are getting excited about it.

Well, the organizers behind AppNation hope to bring about that kind of excitement in about three months. The new conference, which is dedicated exclusively to the world of mobile apps, is on the docket for San Francisco's popular Moscone Convention Center, exactly three three weeks before CTIA Enterprise & Apps kicks off.

And that's not all: there's even another app-centric event, AppCon, lined up for Aug. 24-26 in Vegas!

Yes, things are moving fast in the apps segment of the wireless industry, and there appears to be no end in sight either.

Drew Ianni, a 16-year digital media and marketing industry veteran, is launching the app conference under his new production company, M2 Events L.L.C.

Ianni also ran the well-known Ad:Tech for years as the programming chairman and senior global analyst.

The mobile apps conference aims to be an onsite resource for app developers and one that will guide them as they look to increase the exposure of their products and services, and, as can be expected, make a bit more money in the process. Yes, there has to be some of that too.

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Source: Alcatel-Lucent.