Aiming to enable access to mobile apps for handsets with limited processing power and memory, especially the "feature phones" and prepaid systems in the emerging markets, Microsoft Monday launched its OneApp platform.

The new Microsoft software will allow users of different phones to download 'lightweight' versions of Facebook, Twitter, and other programs without much bandwidth. The move by Microsoft is quite notable as most cell phone subscribers worldwide use entry-level devices - the so-called feature phones or non-smart phones.

Since the storage capacity of most such phones is limited, OneApp would store some information on central servers, and send it out to the device when the user requires. Noting that OneApp would help people use new apps, Amit Mital, a Microsoft Corporate VP, elaborated that the makers of the programs would likely subsidize cellular network access needed for running them.

In a statement, Mittal said: "Microsoft OneApp will be able to help people do things they could not do before with their feature mobile phone - anything from paying their bills to helping diagnose their health issues or just staying connected with friends and family."

South Africa's Blue Label Telecoms Group is Microsoft's first partner in its OneApp venture. For Blue Label customers, OneApp will soon become downloadable like a new ringtone, and will comprise a pre-selected set of apps, including Facebook, Twitter and the Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger!