Amazon launches an App Store

Dave Neal
@daveneal33
22 March 2011

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AMAZON HAS LAUNCHED its Appstore for Android devices, despite it having been challenged by Apple over the use of its alleged trademark elsewhere.

Apple is complaining that Amazon is infringing on its right to use the words App Store to describe a store that sells applications. This seems as generic a title as shoe store, but the cappuccino company is confident that it can both stop Amazon from using it and make it pay damages for having done so in the first place.

Apple's complaint was raised at the end of last week when the website was pre-launched, however, it does not seem to have dented Amazon's intentions as today the it went live and launched the store with a feature called Test Drive that lets users try before they buy apps, something that is unique to other, um, only a few virtual shops that sell software.

Launching the e-market for code formed into a useful tool, Amazon suggested that the current arena were confusing and could lead users into downloading things that are not very useful.

"Our customers have told us that the sheer number of apps available can make it hard to find apps that are high quality and relevant to them. We've spent years developing innovative features that help customers discover relevant products," said Paul Ryder, VP of electronics for Amazon.com.

"By applying these features - plus new ones like Test Drive - we're aiming to give customers a refreshing app shopping experience."

In a statement released earlier today, Apple accused the English speaking world of being easily confused. "We've asked Amazon not to copy the App Store name because it will confuse and mislead customers," it said benevolently, without mentioning that that it is after damages too."

Amazon has launched the website oly in the US, a fact not specifically spelled out in its press release, but it said that it was currently weighing up the other markets. That was reassuring.

"We are launching now in the US, however we are a global business and we will continue to evaluate opportunities to do what's in the best interest of our customers", it told the INQUIRER. "At this time, we have not announced plans on international launches."

Amazon did not comment on the suggestion that the global launches were delayed by the Apple complaint. µ