Android Market Vs App Store

When it comes to Internet search, we're used to laugh when somebody new gets in the game. After all, who can mess with Google? Not even Microsoft, at least not when it comes to Internet search, but if we're talking about Android, well... just think about the fact that most companies who embraced Google Android are small names, like VirtualLogix or Huawei, while the big ones - Samsung, HTC, and Sony Ericsson - despite their previous claims, are still keeping their Android phones away. Let's hope they won't do that forever, because Google has some interesting things in store for all of us...

...since they posted an article on the Android Developers Blog saying that "Android Market is now accepting priced applications from US and UK developers." That's exactly what Android was missing, a competitor to Apple's App Store. These being said and done, the Android Market vs Apple Store can finally begin!

"Developers from these countries can go to the publisher website at http://market.android.com/publish to upload their application(s) along with end user pricing for the apps. Initially, priced applications will be available to end users in the US starting mid next week. We will add end user support for additional countries in the coming months."

Even more, developers in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, France, and Spain will be able to sell their apps via the Android Market later this quarter, and - do I have to be surprised about it? - Google Checkout will be used as payment and billing mechanism.

I think we'll get to see the real Android Market vs App Store battle taking off this summer because, the way things are looking now, this is more of a "phoney war" than a real fight...