How did SPB Software get started?

Schmidt:  I found a team of student developers in St.Petersburg back in 1999, when our German company was in terrible need of developers. They did a terrific job and when I left my German company in 2001 the head of the development team Vassili Philippov (who these days is the COO of SPB Software) asked me whether we could continue our cooperation somehow. We met and tried to think about the world and needs for applications. We had IPAQ’s on our table and we were using those device on daily basis. The iPAQs inspired us greatly, as well as opportunities provided by the Pocket PC platform. This was the starting point of SPB Software. By the end of 2001 we officially started with SPB Software.

You have a vast portfolio of applications for Windows Mobile, and a growing one for other mobile operating systems.  When you are planning what products to create, could you explain how certain applications are chosen to be developed?

Philippov:  Part of the planning is of course porting proven, successful applications from one platform to another. But we don’t automatically port everything we create to every platform we support – such decisions require some consideration and careful market studies. Besides, some of our best-selling apps from one platform are simply impossible on another due to “Terms and Conditions”. For instance, we obviously can’t deliver our enormously successful SPB Mobile Shell app to iPhone users – but we can give it to Android and Symbian users, and the respective version is to be released soon.

But of course we aren’t limited to our existing projects – ideas brought up by our developers and users are welcome. We even have a game the concept of which was fully invented by the wife of one of our leading programmers.

What are SPB Software’s plans for Windows Phone 7 software solutions?

Philippov:  Position of Microsoft as one of the strongest market drivers and players assures that Windows Phone 7 Series will find its place in mobile device stores and we definitely will develop for this system. It is yet to be defined which of our products will come to WP7 but we work closely with Microsoft to bring our users the best solutions for their new devices.

How much advance information did you have from Microsoft about what Windows Phone 7 would be: for example, were you caught off guard as much as most developers or did you know what to expect?

Philippov:  Our relationship with Microsoft is good, our ties are strong, and I am not really in freedom to discuss certain sensitive aspects of it. But of course we were not caught off guard.

With so many different mobile operating systems available, how do you decide whether or not to support a certain platform?  For example, you just released SPB TV for WebOS, which is a fledgling OS.

Philippov:  SPB TV is a very special product for us. It’s not only aimed at end users but also at mobile operators. We already have SPB TV licensed to a few carriers including SkyLink in Russia and StarHub in Singapore, with more of deals to be announced later this year. Diversity of the end-user terminals market has reached such heights that to successfully deploy a TV solution carriers have to have client apps for every possible platform on their network. That’s why SPB plans to bring this application to other platforms like Samsung Bada.

As for the rest of apps, of course we’re always watching various platforms in terms of popularity and lack of certain types of software. We listen to our users’ needs and look for open market niches. It’s also worth looking at who’s behind the platform in question in terms of potential customers, and what mobile operators may think of it.

You have in recent years started working with several different handset developers to have your software included on their devices.  How do you develop your relationships with these OEM’s?

Schmidt:  Well, I can’t say that there is one single strategy that works. It takes a lot of effort to attract OEMs – namely, you have to gain their trust on the technical competence side. We at SPB Software have always had two aspects in our favor – existing, successful apps on the market and constant improvements we’ve been making to our products. But we also have to remember that one can not expect to build relationship very fast with big organizations.

What are your thoughts on the future of mobile technology?

Schmidt:  Well – please do not expect that I repeat all the permanent stressed catchwords of augmented reality, social networks that follow everyone everywhere… I have been in this market space for 10 years and the most significant are the changes of the market rules and speed. Few years ago the planning phase of a phone was about 12 months – now we are targeting 2 months. Mobile technology will be everywhere, omnipresent and will give us better way of individual life with supporting individual needs.

What exciting new things can we expect from SPB Software in the near future?  Are there any programs or updates you would like to give our readers a hint about?

Schmidt:  We promised at Mobile World Congress to deliver a new SPB Mobile Shell 5.0. And the best: we go multiplatform with Mobile Shell as well. This is something everyone in the market should see. Don’t forget – SPB Mobile Shell is the world best selling application. Yes, and we do everything to maintain this position.

We really appreciate your time with us.  Is there anything else that you would like to tell the readers of JAMM?

Schmidt:  Thank you – yes, indeed. One of the reasons for building great software is that we are listening to our users. This is the message for all people out in the mobile space: give feedback to the companies! We do appreciate every comment and every suggestion.