Following the recent news that AppForge is now available on Series 60 comes the news that there will be no licensing fees for the Booster (run time) application for any platform.

This is likely to mean a larger number of MobileVB applications becoming available as the attractiveness to the Mobile Developer is increased. Although the run time was free on the P800, and 9210 this was not the case on other platforms.

Further analysis of the recent news is available on NewsWireless.Net.

Press Release:

AppForge Eliminates Runtime Fees from MobileVB 4.0
Announces Support for Palm OS 5, Nokia Series 60

ATLANTA (Sept. 23, 2003) – AppForge, Inc., a leading provider of software products and services for the handheld, mobile and wireless industry, today announced version 4.0 of AppForge’s MobileVB product. This version adds support for Palm OS 5 and Nokia Series 60 devices including Palm Tungsten, Sony Clie, Nokia 3650, 7650 and Nokia 6600.

With the addition of Palm OS 5 and Nokia Series 60 support, MobileVB developers can now write cross-platform applications quickly distribute those applications on most of the leading mobile and wireless devices including Palm OS, Pocket PC, and Symbian UIQ, Series 60, and Series 80 PDAs and Smartphones.

"Our clients are increasingly demanding a single wireless infrastructure for their entire business that will support multiple devices and perform many different tasks,” said Simon Cavill, Lead Architect at Logica CMG. "The AppForge development suite is a key part of our strategy as it enables us to rapidly build and deploy cross-platform mobile applications using standard development tools and the knowledge we have in-house."

In a major move to significantly increase the number of applications available for mobile and wireless devices, AppForge is making its standard runtime environment available at no cost. AppForge’s runtime environment is an operating system extension that enhances the functionality of handheld devices, including the ability to run the thousands of applications written with AppForge MobileVB and Microsoft Visual Basic.
“ Introducing free runtime licenses will significantly increase the uptake of the Booster, making it an even more attractive solution for applications developers as well as increasing the availability of compelling applications for consumers,” says Ulf Wretling, Director Sony Ericsson Developer Program.

“The device additions and licensing changes we are making to MobileVB product line will enable in-house system developers and system integrators to target more mobile devices,” said Gary Warren, CEO of AppForge. “Enterprise organizations can confidently standardize on any leading mobile device. Similarly, software developers can maximize their profits by deploying applications on multiple devices.”

Pricing and Availability
The suggested retail price of AppForge’s MobileVB 4.0 version is US $899. The product will be available in October 2003. Customers who purchase MobileVB between September 1 and the release of MobileVB 4.0 will receive a free upgrade to 4.0. All other registered users of MobileVB can upgrade for US $249. Additional information about pricing, upgrades and support policies is available on the AppForge Web site at www.appforge.com.

MobileVB Boosters can be downloaded for free from the AppForge website at http://www.appforge.com/booster. Developers also have the option of bundling Booster with their applications or providing links and/or download files from their own websites as well.

About AppForge
AppForge, Inc., a leading provider of software products and services for the handheld, mobile and wireless industry, enables businesses to quickly develop, market and distribute cross-platform mobile and wireless applications across market segments. AppForge’s products enable developers to write applications for more than 90% of the world’s leading mobile and wireless devices. AppForge is financed through leading institutional venture firms including Draper Atlantic, Grosvenor Funds and Council Ventures. For more information on AppForge, visit the company’s Web site at www.appforge.com.