Amazon opens Appstore for Android to developers

Amazon has officially opened its marketplace for Android applications, despite a last minute legal challenge from Apple.

As expected, an Appstore for Android section has been added to Amazon's main site and contains over 4,000 free and paid-for applications.

Amazon certifies all the software, in the same way Apple does for its store, and the company said the process takes about five days.

"We are testing all apps prior to making them available in our store, protecting customers from malware and other harmful situations," said Aaron Rubenson, category leader for the Amazon Appstore.

"That said, we will not be prescriptive in terms of what constitutes good app design. In fact, Amazon is a big believer in innovation in general, and we hope to feature lots of innovative and creative applications."

Software can be sold for an upfront fee or given away but the payment system does not yet support subscription pricing. Developers set a list price for any applications and Amazon sets the final sale price.

The site includes a system to test applications before buying. Test Drive sets up a virtual Android phone and allows the prospective purchaser to test the look and feel of a new application.

"This is good news for developers in that they now have a new option for selling their code," Tony Cripps, principal analyst at Ovum, told V3.co.uk.

"Amazon's platform will appeal to prosumer buyers, and IT managers or administrators who want to buy from a trusted source."