We all know about the world’s most popular smartphone operating system, Symbian. Starting in October, Symbian will provide one of the world’s largest mobile applications (or apps) database. The project is called Horizon and comes in response to Apple’s statement on Tuesday that it’s App Store hit 1.5 billion downloads in just a year.

Although many manufacturers, mobile network operators, and a number of websites have started to work on mobile apps databases, the not-for-profit Symbian Foundation will rely on a more centralized approach through Horizon. Symbian needs to solidify its place in the operating system market and this project is just the beginning of a long process.

“We have a thriving application developer community right now, with a number of ways to develop them and we have a number of our partners producing stores to get those applications to consumers,” – Shaun Puckrin, head of the Horizon project. It looks like the project will be a success, but at what extent? Apple and Microsoft have already established mobile apps stores, so Horizon really has to catch up.

“We’ve always had a lot of innovation and great applications and services on Symbian; all we’re doing is providing an easier channel to get them to a keen consumer base.” Good luck Symbian!