Android opens its doors to paid apps

Google Android is now open to paid applications

Google is now allowing UK and US developers to sell their applications for its Android mobile platform via Android Market.

Eric Chu, Google's mobile platform program manager, said in a blog posting that the firm would accept "priced applications" from developers, and that Google Checkout would serve as the payment and billing mechanism.

Developers without a Google Checkout merchant account can sign up for one at the publisher website, he added.

"Developers from [the UK and US] can go to the publisher website to upload their application(s) along with end user pricing for the apps," wrote Chu.

"Initially, priced applications will be available to end users in the US starting mid next week. We will add end user support for additional countries in the coming months."

Chu added that developers in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France and Spain will be offered the chance to submit priced applications later this quarter, and those in other countries by the end of the first quarter.

The first Android-powered device, the T-Mobile G1, was launched to great fanfare last September. Although it has only a tiny market share compared to Windows Mobile, Gartner has predicted that Android could become the de facto operating system for Linux, grabbing as much as 10 per cent of the market by 2011.

One of the keys to the success of the platform is being able to encourage high quality, compelling applications which will in turn attract users.

Chu also announced that the Android Market for free applications will become available to users in Australia starting 15 February and in Singapore "in the coming weeks".