Alcatel-Lucent continues mobile app development push, buys OpenPlug

Alcatel-Lucent is trying to buy its way into the mobile applications development market with the acquisition of OpenPlug, which makes mobile software development tools.

The OpenPlug purchase comes just three months after the acquisition of ProgrammableWeb, which provides API-related content.

Terms of these deals weren't disclosed, but Alcatel-Lucent clearly wants to be a player in the development tools market. In a statement, Alcatel-Lucent explained its game plan. The company said:

Alcatel-Lucent can now extend OpenPlug's functionality to service providers, enterprises and developers so they can create and deploy applications across multiple mobile devices and within service provider app stores. As a result, applications that had previously only been available on more sophisticated devices such as smartphones, can now be enjoyed by consumers on any mobile device, which opens up opportunities in emerging markets, where low cost mobile phone circulation is highest.

OpenPlug tools will be lumped into Alcatel-Lucent's developer platform and APIs. OpenPlug's flagship product is ELIPS, a mobile development suite.