Verizon to release open development specs

US operator to host March conference to explain how it's going to do what the rest of the world's been doing for years.

The March 19th Open Development Device Conference will see technical details of Verizon's 'Any Device, Any App' initiative aired for the first time.

From later this year Verizon customers will be able to download and use third party apps and services on their third-party phones.

This is a huge departure for the operator, which to date has employed a strict walled garden approach to content and data services, using proprietary platforms like Qualcomm's BREW.

Like most US operators it has also strictly controlled which devices are allowed to access and work across its network.

Not any more though. Verizon will use its conference to tell handset manufacturers and application developers how the initiative will work, specifically through v1.0 of its SDK.

Anthony A. Lewis, VP of the Open Development initiative at Verizon Wireless, said: "Version 1.0 will provide the roadmap for wireless device visionaries and tinkerers, as well as existing device makers, to create consumer products not offered directly by the company, which can run on the nation's most reliable network."

Devices will be tested and approved in a $20 million 'state-of-the-art' testing lab.

Verizon will continue to offer its existing 'full-service' offering after the Any Device, Any App launch, including easy-to-use handsets and optimised software from its own content porta