The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Amazon's app store spotted outside US

Downloading ANYTHING proves tricky

Requirements Checklist for Choosing a Cloud Backup and Recovery Service Provider

Amazon users around the world are reporting that the retailer's Android store is now selling apps worldwide, despite the company's denials and our own failure to buy anything.

Amazon's alternative app store was launched in the US only, and the company tells us that this remains the case. However users from Australia, India, the UK, Africa and everywhere in between are claiming to have installed the app store and successfully downloaded applications.

Sadly, we had no such luck in our own tests:

Screen shot of failed download

The application store has to be installed because Android's security is based on certified applications; the store brings the necessary certificates with it. If one has an account with Amazon.com (as opposed to, or in addition, to Amazon.co.uk) then one can download the store, but applications won't be distributed outside the USA to customers as Amazon has yet to set up shop elsewhere.

Given the plethora of accounts knocking around, it seems the reports of access are genuine, but perhaps limited to specific regions or quickly patched up.

So you'll just have to stick to Google's Marketplace, SlideMe or use a decent US proxy (and credit card) if you really can't live without Amazon's free app of the day. ®

What you need to know about cloud backup

Support independent software devs

Don't use amazon's app store.

Their business practices towards small developers make Apple look like Mother Theresa. Changing app descriptions without consent, changing app pricing without consent, there are several long articles by devs explaining why they're pulling their apps.

http://bithack.se/news/apparatus-amazon-july-4-2011.html

http://shiftyjelly.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/amazon-app-store-rotten-to-the-core/

2
0
Anonymous Coward

Tor blimey!

But do you need a 'merkin issued credit card?

anon,just because

1
0

It's coming and Apple knows this...

...as you can witness the debut of Central-European localized online stores of apple.com

I might be off but I see the causality here - the biggest threat to Apple's growth is Amazon and the day when it goes global with its upcoming $250 "media consuming" tablet.

0
0

More from The Register

Microsoft lures buy-curious vixens, corduroys with a cheap fondle
Surface slab sales latest: Will no one rid Ballmer of these turbulent tabs?
First look: iOS 7 for iPad
No, Apple hasn't released it yet, but that doesn't stop intrepid devs
Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Proof the pen is mightier?
Sammy’s iPad Mini killer has a stylus to stab other rivals too
 breaking news
Curtain drops on Apple Store ahead of WWDC: What lies behind?
Steve Jobs watching from on high. No pressure, lads
 breaking news
Cold, dead hands of Steve Jobs slip from iPhones: The Cult of Ive is upon us
Billionaire biz baron's death clears way for uber-shiny iOS 7
Airbus imagines suitcases that find themselves
Point your mobe at your smalls to track their every move
Surprise! Intel smartphone trounces ARM in power trials
Tests show equal performance while sipping significantly less juice
Samsung plans LTE Advanced version of Galaxy S4
1Gbps download capability could stiffen drooping S4 sales forecasts
Ex-HTC execs launch UK-based smartphone maker Kazam
Startup threatens to 'disrupt status quo' this year