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Amazon.com has launched the Amazon Appstore Developer Portal to enable mobile application developers to sell their apps using the strength of Amazon’s platform.
In short, Amazon is getting “appy” with it, according to a blog post from the Amazon Appstore team. The new Amazon Appstore Developer Portal, which can be found at developer.amazon.com, is a new self-service tool that allows mobile application developers — Android developers in particular — to join Amazon’s Appstore Developer Program and submit apps for the upcoming launch of the Amazon Appstore for Android.
Amazon gives three primary reasons why developers should be interested in putting their applications in the Amazon Appstore: One is because the store will provide access to tens of millions of active Amazon customers; two, because Amazon’s proven marketing and merchandizing features will help developers get their apps discovered and in front of the right customers; and three, because the convenience of using an existing Amazon.com account will make it simple and easy for customers to purchase apps — both online and on their mobile devices.
Amazon officials said an Appstore is a logical next step for the company in the mobile space, because Amazon customers have a strong interest in mobile. Moreover, Amazon has been working to make its products and services available on mobile devices.
“We continue to innovate the mobile shopping experience with the Amazon Shopping app, Amazon Price Check and the recently launched Windowshop for the iPad, the Appstore team blog said. “We have numerous Kindle apps, and customers can shop our MP3 store from their mobile devices. Our subsidiaries like IMDB and Audible also have robust mobile applications.”
In addition, “the sheer number of apps available today makes it hard for customers to find high-quality, relevant products – and developers similarly struggle to get their apps noticed,” the Amazon blog said. “Amazon’s innovative marketing and merchandising features are designed to help customers find and discover relevant products from our vast selection, and we’re excited to apply those capabilities to the apps market segment.”
Amazon describes its Appstore Developer Portal as a one-stop location to manage account details, manage marketing materials, and track sales and projected earnings using self-service and customizable reports.