Amazon is expected to launch Android app store

Amazon appeared to be close to launching its own app store for Android.

However, there is no any detailed information over the launch as sources that have been reached out to weren’t sure about what exactly Amazon was launching.

But if the information that has been just obtained is accurate, it appears there are a number of interesting tidbits around payments paid out through this store.

Amazon’s entry into the Android app space follows Verizon’s move into the area as well with the forthcoming V Cast apps. I can’t wait to hear what Google thinks about all this competition on their devices. Hopefully Google CEO Eric Schmidt will talk about it tomorrow at TechCrunch Disrupt.

As for the details over the Amazon‘s launch that are available at present, they are listed below:

·         For each sale of an App, we will pay you a royalty equal to the greater of 70% of the purchase price or 20% of the List Price as of the purchase date (70/30 is standard, this 20/80 split is somewhat odd and confusing)

·         The List Price is apparently in place so that you can’t sell your app cheaper on other “similar services” — meaning other app stores, presumably

·         The “similar services” should also include the forthcoming Chrome Web Store, if I’m reading this correctly

·         There is a $99 fee to be a developer in this program (the same as Apple’s iOS developer program)

·         It seems like if your app is available on other platforms, you have to make sure to update it at the same time on Amazon’s store that you do in any other store (this will piss off a lot of developers)

·         Apps will have to be laced with Amazon DRM — meaning they will only work on devices they approve (obviously)

·         Amazon has the right to pull any app for any reason (obviously)

·         Apps can also be shown on amazon.com (this is up to Amazon)

·         You can offer free apps

·         The app store is U.S.-only (at least for now)

·         This part is interesting too: “We have sole discretion to determine all features and operations of this program and to set the retail price and other terms on which we sell Apps.”