Brazilian mobile operator TIM and Qualcomm have announced an agreement to launch the first multi-platform wireless applications store in Latin America.
The TIM App Store is powered by Qualcomm's Plaza Retail solution, which is designed to support a wide range of operating systems and platforms including Java, Brew, Flash and Android, with planned support for Windows Mobile, Palm, Symbian and LiMo.
TIM plans to launch its app store in Brazil in the first quarter of 2010. The TIM App Store will be offered across its entire device portfolio, benefiting the more than 40 million TIM subscribers throughout Brazil. TIM users will be able to download the app store onto their mobile devices by accessing the operator's WAP portal or through their web store.
Qualcomm's Plaza Retail is a retailing application that will enable TIM to create a uniform shopping experience and effectively merchandize mobile content across its entire device portfolio. Using the recommendations technology available with Plaza Retail, TIM can offer a highly personalized shopping experience for each end-user.  
The launch of the TIM App Store reinforces our commitment to offering services and products that provide our customers with a highly personalized experience, says TIM Chief Marketing Officer, Rogerio Takanayagi. This collaboration was fundamental in being able to offer a robust platform that is compatible with all the operating systems included in our mobile device portfolio. TIM App Store will give more users access to easy-to-use and innovative applications.
TIM and Qualcomm say they are committed to helping developers maximize their return on investment, improve their market reach and leverage more flexible go-to-market models. In order to stimulate the development of applications in Brazil, TIM and Qualcomm will offer a series of workshops for developers in November throughout Brazil, at which they will present the new business model and the benefits offered by both companies with this solution.