Amazon Android Appstore opens for European business

published 31 August 2012

In preparation for the UK release of the Kindle Fire, internet retail giant Amazon has thrown open the doors of its Android Appstore.

The app market, which bills itself as an alternative to Google Play, is giving away a free app every day for a promotional period.

The US version of the Android AppStore has been running for the last nine months.

Apps and games purchased from Amazon can be used on any Android device, enabling them to buy an app or game once and use it everywhere.

The Appstore also feature personalised recommendations, customer reviews and one-click payments.

Amazon said it will also test all apps that pass through the Appstore before they are put on sale.

"Customers in the US have purchased millions of apps, games, in-app items and subscriptions since the store launched last year, and we've received great feedback about discovery features like free app of the day," said Jim Adkins, vice president of the Amazon Appstore.

"Amazon has spent years developing innovative features that help customers find and discover the products that are right for them and have applied that know-how to the Amazon Appstore. We're delighted to extend that experience to our European customers."

Rene Millman is a freelance writer and broadcaster who covers cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and the cloud. He also works as a contributing analyst at GigaOm and has previously worked as an analyst for Gartner covering the infrastructure market. He has made numerous television appearances to give his views and expertise on technology trends and companies that affect and shape our lives. You can follow Rene Millman on Twitter.