Amazon to Open Android App Store?

By Barbara Hernandez

| Thursday, May 5, 2011 | Updated 5:32 AM PDT

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Amazon took the first steps in creating an online marketplace for Android applications -- taking on Google's official Android Market and other smaller app stores. Amazon is now actively looking for app developers for its new Amazon Appstore branch on its website. Its Appstore Developer Blog continues:

Our customers also have a strong interest in mobile, and across the company we are working hard to make our great products and services available on mobile devices. . . . An Appstore is a logical next step for Amazon in mobile.

Amazon is charging a $99 a year fee to would-be developers, although it's now waiving the fee to drum up interest. It will also pay developers "70% of the sale price of the app or 20% of the list price, whichever is greater." However, TechCrunch reports that Amazon ultimately decides the price, no matter what the developer wants. Here's more of Amazon's pitch:

Why should you submit your apps for inclusion in the Amazon Appstore for Android?

For the first time, you will have access to tens of millions of active Amazon customers.
Amazon’s proven marketing and merchandizing features will help you get your apps discovered and in front of the right customers.
The convenience of using an existing Amazon.com account will make it simple and easy for customers to purchase your apps - both online and on their mobile devices.

Although there's no launch date yet, many are predicting that Amazon will do well in the Android apps market, especially with its enthusiastic user-generated reviews, millions of repeat customers andpre-sale application testing.