Louisiana’s first “brick and mortar” store for Apple® and Android™ smart device applications opened its doors in New Orleans on Thursday, March 15, 2012, with a cache of locally-designed and national apps. Visitors to the new myPhoneApp Store now have the opportunity to “try before they buy” by downloading, testing and playing any app of their choosing on in-store devices.
The testing is free and so is the guidance from mobile technology experts. This physical app store is the brainchild of myPhoneMD, a national smart device repair chain founded in Louisiana and a long-time client of HERO|farm. The store’s primary focus will be on mobile applications created by local developers based in New Orleans but will also include some of the market’s most popular apps.
“Many of the nation’s best app developers are right here in New Orleans, and we want to help share their phenomenal work and success with the smart device community,” said Jeff Lyons, co-founder of myPhoneMD and visionary behind the brand’s real life app store.
Hesitant consumers, unsure if they should purchase a new application for their smart device, can now breathe easier. With easy WiFi accessibility and roomy sitting areas, the myPhoneApp Store aims to create an interactive, social atmosphere that reduces buyer’s remorse, eliminates anxiety that comes with learning new technology and connects users with free expert advice. To give the real life store even greater appeal, the center will concentrate on raising awareness for the growing local developer community by keeping the public up-to-date on their latest creations and other local applications.
The myPhoneApp Store gives local consumers greater access to increasingly popular online app distributors such as Apple’s App Store and Google’s Android Market. Here, users will have the opportunity to sift through and test out full versions of smartphone and tablet applications before purchasing them.
Local award winning app developers such as Touch Studios and Mudbug Media will showcase their latest creations at the myPhoneApp Store. Also, applications designed specifically for the local market will be on display, including: The Geaux Tigers LSU Football app; the Garden District Historic Mobile Tour app; the Offbeat New Orleans Mobile app; and the Election Hub app.
“We’ve heard of app stores that make recommendations but this would be the first real-life location where a user could actually try a recommended app for free on a device similar to their own and then download it immediately using a QR code,” said Conrad Green, co-founder of myPhoneMD.
myPhoneMD partnered with HEROfarm back in 2009 for the brand’s initial development and outreach, forming a special relationship that has seen strong growth. Since that time, myPhoneMD has expanded to include locations in Baton Rouge, Houma, Lafayette, Mandeville, Metairie, New Orleans and Charleston, South Carolina with plans to double that number by late 2012.
