Android opens its doors to paid apps

Google has announced it is now allowing UK and US developers to sell their applications for its Android mobile platform via the Google Market.

In a blog posting, Eric Chu, Google’s mobile platform program manager, said the firm would accept ‘priced applications’ from developers, with Google Checkout serving as the payment and billing mechanism. Developers without a Google Checkout merchant account can sign up for one at the publisher website, he added.

“Developers from [the UK and US] can go to the publisher website to upload their application(s) along with end user pricing for the apps,” wrote Chu.

“Initially, priced applications will be available to end users in the US starting mid next week. We will add end user support for additional countries in the coming months.”

Chu added that developers in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, France, and Spain will be offered the chance to submit priced applications later this quarter, with those in other countries afforded the same opportunity by the end of Q1 2009.

The first Android-powered device launched to great fanfare last September, and although it still only has a tiny market share compared to the Windows Mobile operating system, Gartner is predicting Android could become the de facto operating system for Linux, grabbing as much as ten per cent of the market by 2011.

One of the keys to the future success of the platform is being able to encourage high quality, compelling applications which will in turn attract users.

Google’s Chu also announced that Android Market for free applications will become available to users in Australia starting February 15 and in Singapore “in the coming weeks”.