Android Market Now Lets Developers Charge for Software

Very soon, developers will be able to sell their applications through Google's Android Market. Previously, companies could only use this store to distribute free software.

The Android Market is a  service that allow users to purchase games, utilities, and more directly on their smartphone. It was intended from the beginning to allow for the sale of software, but the first Android-based device, the T-Mobile G1, launched before the store was quite ready.

In the mean time, other retailers have been selling Android apps for some time, including the Brighthand Store.

An Important Step
With Android itself available as a free, open-source operating system, some had wondered if all the applications released for it would be free, too. Google clearly thinks this isn't practical.

Over the years, smartphone and handheld makers have learned that a robust selection of third-party applications is critical to the success of their devices. And while some developers are willing to give their software away, many are not. Google's update to the Android Market opens the door to this second group.

Google Taking Submissions Now
Developers in the U.S. and U.K.  can now submit their apps to the publisher website along with end-user pricing. Customers in the U.S. will be available to start buying software around the middle of next week.

Google Checkout will serve as the payment and billing system for Android Market.

The company plans to add support for this feature in additional countries in the coming months.

More about the Android Market
The Android Market a service -- hosted by Google -- that is available directly on Android smartphones.

It is intended to give developers an open and unobstructed environment to make their content available, whether they want to sell or give it away.

The model Google is using is YouTube, and like that online video sharing site developers are able to post content in the Android marketplace after only three steps: register, upload and describe the content, and publish it.

Apps Stores for Everyone
Although the idea of putting a software store directly on a mobile device isn't new -- Handango InHand has been available for years -- Apple truly popularized the idea with the iPhone App Store.

In the wake of Apple's success, many others have gotten on the bandwagon. Palm recently launched one (more info), while RIM and Microsoft are reportedly close to introducing ones for BlackBerrys and Window Mobile devices.

Source: Google