Amazon Appstore for Android Is Released

Amazon opened its Appstore for Android on Tuesday, so Android device owners now have multiple choices for app shopping.
Amazon Appstore for Android Is Released
A screenshot of Amazon's new Appstore for Android
3/22/2011
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/amazonappworld.jpg" alt="A screenshot of Amazon's new Appstore for Android" title="A screenshot of Amazon's new Appstore for Android" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1806490"/></a>
A screenshot of Amazon's new Appstore for Android
Amazon opened its Appstore for Android on Tuesday, so Android device owners now have multiple choices for app shopping including Google’s Android Market and independent Getjar.

The first free application offered by Amazon is “Angry Birds Rio,” normally priced at $0.99, currently only available for Android devices through the Amazon Appstore. It will be at least a week until the application is released on other Android stores, according to PC Magazine.

Shopping in Amazon’s Appstore will be very similar to shopping for any other item on Amazon.com. Purchasing an app from the Amazon Appstore can be compared to buying an eBook. Reviews, features, and screenshots are available, and users can also test applications using “Test Drive,” a feature that runs apps on a virtual smartphone in a web browser before deciding to make a purchase.

Although the “Test Drive” feature on the Amazon Appstore allows users to experience the application before buying it, it does not allow returns, unlike the Android Market, which allows applications to be returned within 15 minutes, according to PC World. Another aspect that the Android Market triumphs in is the quantity of applications, which is much larger than the offerings in the Amazon Appstore.

What the Amazon Appstore has in its favor though is that it is easier to browse through and fewer spam apps surface during a search. This helps level the playing field with its established competitor, the Android Market.

Currently, Amazon’s top paid apps include “Angry Birds,” “Angry Birds Rio,” and “Fruit Ninja.” The store has been gaining popularity quickly since its grand opening.

However, a speed bump on Amazon’s road to gaining influence on the app market is Apple’s lawsuit against the company for using the “AppStore” terminology. Apple stated that Amazon performed trademark infringement and unfair competition in a complaint on March 18, according to Bloomberg.

Apple also asked for an injunction that stops Amazon from using the name and other unspecified damages, according to The Wall Street Journal.