Amazon Android App Store Now Available!

by Antonio Wells Mar 22, 2011 12:33 PM – 7 Comments

A few days back we told you uber popular Android Birds Rio will launch exclusively on Amazon’s Android App Store, today they have opened it officially to the public and offering one free paid Android app download everyday! The new Angry Birds Rio seems really smooth at first glance (we’ll have a full video review soon). The store seems to be well stocked for initial launch offering plenty of real estate for app descriptions. Android app discoverability remains to be sought through, but at least you have AndroidTapp.com Android App Reviews to guide you right?!?

: Amazon Android App Store

: Amazon Android App Store Download Amazon Store App

: Amazon Android App Store Description

: Amazon Android App Store App Download Page

: Amazon Android App Store Desktop Page

In our quick stroll threw the market we noticed a few redundant kinks Amazon needs to work out for first timers. So when visiting from non-mobile optimized web version on your Android device it prompts you to login. Once logged in you browse apps, when you download for the first time it alerts you “Unknown sources” need to be check from the app settings menu (sorry AT&T folks you don’t have this luxury). All this just to download Amazon’s app store app… Okay you download that then greeted with yet another optional login screen. Now let’s download an app right??? Yup… provided you have a payment source entered for your Amazon account — now you’re off to the races.

Will you download and buy Android apps and games from Amazon’s app store? Tell us in the comments below!

Categorised in: Apps Blog, Featured, News

7 Comments

By John Solo on March 22, 2011 at 1:39 pm:

Looks like it’s US only, FAIL! :p

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By Jonathan on March 22, 2011 at 2:11 pm:

I did and you’re right, the Rio game is very smooth. Was really impressed.

The process of getting it on your phone is way too long of course as you hinted in your blog… and checking the box for unknown sources will stop a lot from doing it. They do provide a video on their website to guide users though it though, which should increase % of adoption.

I’m very glad I did it and look forward to future free apps! They did a great job with it, just have to get by Google’s process

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By Stuart Halliday on March 23, 2011 at 9:21 am:

Gee thanks for telling us it DOESN’T work outside the USA…

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By Mike on March 24, 2011 at 7:04 pm:

Hopefully they will expand beyond the US. Right now I love the fact that I don’t have to worry about currency conversion fees! Amazon got so many things right at launch that Android Market still hasn’t figured out after numerous updates. The store is attractive and makes me want to buy stuff, including many apps I never bought because of currency issues.

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By EngineerGreg on March 26, 2011 at 3:44 am:

I will not be downloading from the Amazon App Store until Amazon changes their 1-Click requirement.

I visited the site to check it out and try the new Angry Birds Rio for free. To download any app, even a free one, you must agree to activate 1-Click for your account. This is a HUGE security issue. With 1-Click activated, anyone who has your phone and accidentally or intentionality, clicks the 1-Click buy function your card is charged and you own it, period. Amazon has a 15 minute return policy. Good luck catching it in that time. I can just see some poor sot on the phone trying to explain that their 7 year old bought some $200.00 nonsense like the Black Diamond app while playing with the phone he left on the coffee table when he went to the can. I saw a couple of reviews where the reviewers had accidentally bought apps and were none to pleased about it. It’s very easy to do.

I called Amazon on the issue and said I would like to use the App Store but wanted to enter my password each time my card was charged. They essentially said, too bad, so sad, take it or leave it. I’m leaving it.

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- By Mike on March 26, 2011 at 11:39 am:
  
  I have to agree with you there. I genuinely prefer Amazon’s storefront and the fact that I don’t get hit with currency exchange fees from my bank when I make a purchase from a developer outside the US. On the other hand, they need to do away with the one-click requirement. While I haven’t made any accidental purchases, I have had many experiences of clicking on the wrong thing while using my phone.
  
  For now I am going to use them for buying exclusives, getting paid apps for free (the developers still get their cut, with Amazon taking the loss), and for buying apps from Hexage and other developers whose games I wouldn’t buy previously because of the currency issue. Their browser-based “test drive” feature is a complete joke unless you are using a computer with a touchscreen, and many of the apps you can test drive are free anyway.
  
  If they do away with the one-click requirement and increase their selection, then I will be very tempted to use them exclusively as I find the overall experience superior to Android Market. Part of me hopes that this serves as Google’s wake-up call to finally bring their market up to standard.
  
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By craigc on March 31, 2011 at 1:26 pm:

If you don’t have some sort of log-in every time you leave your phone for 30 sec. you are just asking for trouble. The 1-click is actually two clicks and shouldn’t be mandatory but if there is a chance a stranger or child could accidentally buy something on your phone… well that sounds more like a ‘me’ problem.

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