Amazon Expanding Android Appstore With International Launches

Amazon is extending its Android Appstore to nearly 200 countries in the next several months.

On Wednesday, the retail giant announced that app developers can now begin submitting their applications for distributions in the new locations.

Amazon is also allowing developers to register their productions for international distribution. As Amazon’s App Store expands, developers who sign up internationally will gain immediate access to those areas.

The Amazon Android Appstore is already available in the United States, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Japan. Some of the app stores new locations include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, India, South Africa, Papua New Guinea, and Vatican City.

Appstore customers in the new regions will be able to take advantage of Android tablet and phone apps immediately upon release.

The expansion of the Amazon Appstore arrives just months after the company began offering a test-drive feature for users who want to try out apps before they buy. Amazon also introduces a new type of virtual currency that helps even out the pricing of apps across various markets. The program known as Amazon Coins allows customers to buy Coins in their local currency and then use those coins to purchase apps and to make in-app purchases.

Facebook attempted to use a similar cross-country payment system but eventually abandoned the program in place of local currencies based on app and developer location.

According to Electronista: “A virtual currency helps even out the pricing of apps across multiple markets, simplifying income for developers, though a similar system by Facebook was dropped in favor of purchases using local currencies instead.”

Do you think Amazon’s expansion of its Android Appstore and the introduction of Amazon Coins will ultimately help the company gain new customers?