Nokia is adding to the list of global companies that is using the emerging markets as a test bed to discover new products and services suitable to those markets. ( IBM is another one where a need in India is driving global innovation for it.) It is doing this via its Ovi Life Tools, a set of mobile information and application services.

FORBES: Nokia Looks To Emerging Markets To Find New Products And Customers

Last year the University of Central Lancashire in Preston introduced an application for freshers, with maps, information about services and local transport.

BBC: University gives students text books on iPhones

The application-layer FIX (financial information exchange) protocol is used by financial services firms, stock exchanges, and investment banks for automated financial trading.

FORBES: Hacking Capitalism