Mozilla unveils prototype cross-platform Web app store

Software company Mozilla on Tuesday unveiled its plans for Open Web App stores for distributing, selling, and managing rich Internet applications built in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Mozilla's concept is similar to the Chrome app store Google discussed when it first unveiled Chrome OS one year ago, but it is meant to use only browser-native functions that can be accessed just as easily on a PC as on a mobile device.

The prototype can be experienced first hand in your browser right now at https://myapps.mozillalabs.com/.

A system like this is meant to benefit both users and developers. With a simple way to discover, download and install apps, the end user experience is greatly improved; and with a distinct channel for developers to market and monetize their applications, Web app distribution is simplified, and profitability potentially increases.

Mozilla has posted a technical overview of the Open Web App concept at https://apps.mozillalabs.com/tech_intro.html.