Amazon launching Android Appstore
Rumor is that today, Amazon will launch its proprietary Android application store to much fanfare from the Android community as the Amazon Payments system is more popular by users than the Google Checkout platform, meaning more opportunity for paid applications.
Like iTunes, the Amazon app store will have an approval process that claims to be more lenient than Apple yet less lenient than the standard Android Market which is timely given the recent malicious apps found and killed by Google in the wide open Android Market.
Apple v. Amazon
According to WSJ.com, Apple has filed suit against Amazon for trademark infringement by using the phrase “App Store,” which Apple trademarked back in 2008. It is interesting to note, however, that if you go to the Amazon Developer Portal, it is referred to as the “Appstore,” all one word, only one capital letter.
“Consumers of mobile software downloads are likely to be confused as to whether Amazon’s mobile software download service is sponsored or approved by Apple,” Apple said in its complaint.
A trademark is a trademark is a trademark and should be defended, but even so, I can’t imagine enough people will go to the Amazon “Appstore” and get bombarded Android logos everywhere and somehow think “oh this must be an Apple product even though I don’t see iAnythings here and it won’t let me download apps to my iProduct…” that it would really damage Apple. Regardless, they will and should protect their trademark since they are in the same industry and if Amazon was smart, they would use it as an opportunity to rebrand as a next gen product if they lose.
An Android Kindle (and other rumors)
Amazon offering a proprietary Android Appstore also makes it look more likely that the rumors are true that Amazon will offer some form of the Kindle on the Android or will completely replace the Kindle with an Android specific device. This launch could confirm other rumors about the tech industry, so stay tuned.
