Amazon Appstore now supports web-based apps

Justin Kahn

Posts: 752   +6

Amazon's Appstore is undergoing some major changes as of today. Normally limited to Android apps only, the marketplace will now be open to web based applications as well. The newly accepted content will be sold alongside native Android apps and available for any device the store currently supports.

For developers, this means they'll no longer need to learn native Android app development or use of third party tools to rewrite their web apps for the mobile platform. Amazon will be taking this step out of the equation by packaging the app into a format supported across millions of devices running the Amazon Appstore.

amazon appstore

"We've heard from developers that making their web apps available for mobile devices is hard because many times it means rewriting their app, which takes extra time and often requires third party tools," said VP of Amazon Appstore, Mike George in the press release. "By launching support for HTML5 web apps in the Mobile App Distribution Program, we're giving web developers the tools they need and all the benefits that native apps already enjoy in the Amazon Appstore and on Kindle Fire."

In addition to the increased exposure, developers can earn revenue by selling digital content and subscriptions such as "in-game currency, expansion packs, upgrades, magazine issues and more" from within web apps using Amazon's In-App Purchasing API for JavaScript, which supports 'one-click' transactions.

As of right now the launch line-up for web apps is pretty thin, including TreSensa's Happy Tree Friends: Run & Bun, Dream Pet Link and Video Game Reviews, News & Previews from IGN. But it seems as though today's announcement is more about garnering attention among developers than anything else.

Developers looking for more details can head over to the Amazon Mobile App Distribution Program site.

Permalink to story.

 
Back