US mobile developer Applico created a “Connected Services Division” specialising in the development of apps for “devices beyond smartphones such as tablets, Internet-connected televisions, cars and other electronic devices.”  This new market could take off as soon as this year based on what the company saw at CES 2011, says Alex Moazed, company’s president and CEO: “In the coming year, we expect to see a myriad of new tablets, TVs, cars and even household appliances all capable of running an app.”

Set up in January 2009, Applico currently produces apps for smartphones and tablets. Initially focused on apps for handsets running iOS, Android, BlackBerry, WP7 and Symbian, the firm now also produces apps for the iPad and Android tablets. Its speciality is to tailor mobile apps for particular clients which currently include AT&T, General Motors, Pearson Publishing and Rodale. The sectors on which it concentrates include automotive, telecoms, publishing, pharmaceuticals, health and fitness, retail, personal care and hygiene. It raised an undisclosed amount in a funding round that closed last month, which was partially intended to finance an expansion into new sectors such as enterprise and speciality apps for the automotive and TV sectors. The company claims to have been profitable since its launch.