SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Amazon.com is opening an online store to sell applications made for smartphones and tablet computers running Google’s Android operating software.
The online retailer unveiled the Amazon Appstore Tuesday, which includes free and paid apps from Android software developers. Amazon.com Inc. believes its experience helping shoppers find what they want online will translate well to the app market, especially since it could use data on what shoppers have bought from Amazon in the past to recommend Appstore apps.
Amazon won’t say how many apps the Appstore includes, but it says there will be a broad selection that is competitively priced when compared with its chief rival: Google’s Android Market, which is included on Android-running phones and tablets.
The Appstore is available online at Amazon.com/appstore. A mobile version can also be downloaded.