Android Gets Carrier-Operated European App Store

Andrew Smith writes "Android fragmentation begins: EuroDroid reports that Vodafone will launch an Android app store in June, to fill in the European gaps where Google hasn't yet launched the official Android app store. Worrying quote: 'All apps will be pre-selected and tested by [Vodafone's after-sales processor] Arvato Mobile for compatibility with our devices.' Just a few days ago Slashdot covered the suggestion by Barry O'Neil, ex-president of Namco Bandai Network Europe, that it could be wise for Google to 'hand over the entire management of the Android Market to carriers, OEMs, and trusted publishers.'"

Comments

Is it really fragmentation?

[NeutronCowboy]

It seems to me that Vodafone will simply be another repository for android apps - except that they decide what apps to show. What would prevent anybody else from just duplicating everything but the apps over which Vodafone has copyright control?

To me, this seems more like Vodafone creating a windows app store: yes, they control what is shown, but I can still go to download.com, private sites and individual developers to get Windows apps. Same thing for Android. Well, except for those who have Vodafone phones... I'm sure there'll be some trickery on there to prevent users from getting apps from anywhere but the Vodafone store.

Re:Is it really fragmentation?

[ConfusedVorlon]

no, the carriers are just too crap to manage that.

they'll tie themselves up in 'appropriate bandwidth usage' and 'brand compatibility guideline' and 'independent testing certification' and 'no external linking policy' and a bajillion other crap requirements that make it impractical or too expensive for independent developers to list their apps.

try listing something at the Orange app store. I jumped through the first few hoops. Then they wrote to me and said they liked my app (for Denmark mind - not internationally). They told me to write to one of their third party suppliers who handled hosting and included two contacts in the email.

I wrote to both (with the orange email attached). One ignored me. The other told me that they don't do that kind of business.

After a couple of emails, the second one agreed that they do do that kind of business and sent me a huge pack of requirments that I have to fill in. Including testing (for which they bill me if I don't generate enough revenue in three months), a bunch of spreadsheets to fill in, and the deal that ends up with me getting about 30% of the sale price.

Popcap will jump through those hoops. Independent developers mostly won't.

Advantageous to non-nerd vodaphone customers

[owlstead]

So Vodaphone customers can buy apps that have been tested on their device and without paying by credit card (I presume it's harder to steal money from them this way). Of course, if you can't use other app. stores, then this might be a problem. But I wonder if Google would allow companies to use the Android name if it cannot connect to their marketplace.

If anyone has more info on whether it will be the only app. store configured/configurable, please let us know.

Re:FUD

[mlts]

Having multiple stores is what nearly killed Windows Mobile until 6.5. The fact that users had to dig around and search for apps, find a website to download the .cab or .exe file, then install it manually made impulse buying of stuff (a big source of cash) impossible.

The nice thing about one app store is that if one wants an app, they can search for it and find it in one place. This also makes it easier to handle funding and selling of apps.

Having multiple app stores just means it is harder to find what one wants. Is the app on one cellular carrier's store and nowhere else? Is it on the generic Android app store? This also means that an app maker has to deal with multiple stores and their ways of handling purchases and returns.

Not fragmentation

[pavon]

When you say that a software ecosystem is fragmented, it means that applications written for one target device/distro/whatever, won't work on another without changes. The degree of fragmentation is how much effort is required to support each target.

Having separate app stores does not create fragmentation, as any user can still get the applications elsewhere. This is like saying the sky is falling because Walmart and Target both exist and sell different products, rather than there being one official retailer at which all comrades must shop. There is convenience in having everything in one place, but it also has problems with consolidation of power. This can be abused to force people out of the market, as Apple has demonstrated wonderfully. Even if the one true app store has an open and fair policy at first, time changes everything, so the ability to get apps in other manners is essential.

For the convenience of their customers, Google should open the main app store to worldwide ASAP, but it does take time to wade through the legalities of that. Till then, these other repositories can fill the gap, and the fact that they can exist at all is great.

It's not "beginning", it's in full-swing

[InakaBoyJoe]

"Android fragmentation begins"? I don't think so. It's in full-swing.

Seems like every week some marketing dweeb comes up with the brilliant idea to create yet another app store. Motorola and Lenovo have their own, as does China Mobile. That's not even counting the dime-a-dozen independent entries with names like Handango, Cellmania, AndAppStore, MobiHand, GetJar, Nexva, SlideMe, etc. etc.

I am an Android developer, and get an email every week from yet another app store. Each has its own custom requirements and contract overhead, and they expect us to do the work for free for the "privilege" of joining their flock and whatever scheme-of-the-day they are concocting as their business plan.

No thanks. I dump those emails and stick with the Android Market. For all its flaws, developers need to show solidarity and work towards improving it. The alternative is to give away your work and place it in the hands of the likes of wireless carriers, who will continue their land grab game at the expense of the developers, innovators, and consumers.