If you thought things were complicated with every handset firm and operator launching their own app store... well, you ain't seen nothing yet.

The Symbian Foundation has been outlining plans for its "application warehouse" strategy, which is less about launching its own mobile app store, and more about letting – in the words of The Register – "anyone who wants to have a go" set up their own.

It appears to involve a central repository of signed Symbian apps (including games), which other companies will then be able to tap into to build their own Symbian app stores.

They'll still have to sign their own distribution agreements with developers and publishers, of course.

The idea would certainly increase consumer choice, and allow non-mobile companies (big brands, for example) to get into the app store game.

However, the danger is that many app stores equals much confusion for consumers and developers alike. And, of course, some high-profile Symbian licensees – notably Nokia – have their own app stores already.