Google is now allowing application developers to sell Android applications via the Android Market. Google Checkout will serve as the payment and billing mechanism for Android Market.
Google is now allowing developers to sell applications for its Android
platform via the Android Market.
In a blog post on Feb. 13, Eric Chu, mobile platform program manager for Google,
said:
I'm pleased to announce that Android
Market is now accepting priced applications from US and UK developers. Developers from these countries
can go to the publisher website at http://market.android.com/publish
to upload their application(s) along with end user pricing for the apps.
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.
Moreover, Chu said Google "will also enable
developers in Germany,
Austria, Netherlands,
France and Spain
to offer priced applications later this quarter. By the end of Q1 2009, we
will announce support for developers in additional countries."
He continued, "Google Checkout will serve as the payment and billing
mechanism for Android Market. Developers who do not already have a Google
Checkout merchant account can easily sign up for one via the publisher Web
site."
The entrance of priced applications from developers is expected to raise the
level of quality and overall quantity of applications available for the
platform.
In addition, Chu said, "Android Market for
free applications will become available to users in Australia
starting February 15th Pacific Time and in Singapore
in the coming weeks. Developers can now make their applications available in
these countries via the publisher Web site" listed above.
He also said, "Developers can find more
information about priced applications in Android Market at http://market.android.com/support/."
Darryl K. Taft covers the development tools and developer-related issues beat from his office in Baltimore. He has more than 10 years of experience in the business and is always looking for the next scoop. Taft is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and was named 'one of the most active middleware reporters in the world' by The Middleware Co. He also has his own card in the 'Who's Who in Enterprise Java' deck.