Amazon Android App Store goes live, gets sued

Jos

Jos

Posts: 3,073   +97
Staff

Amazon is officially launching its Android App Store today with around 3,800 free and paid apps from all the big developers names on there. The storefront for Android mobile applications will compete directly with Google's official marketplace, and it looks like Amazon is ready to take on the fight by offering a few things that its rival lacks, throwing the full weight of its marketing and e-commerce expertise behind the app store.

For one thing the Amazon Android App Store will use the recommendation algorithm that the online retailer uses on its website to suggest certain apps and boost app discovery. In fact, it might recommend applications to users even when browsing physical goods on Amazon -- say, if you are looking for a camera you could see a camera app suggestion.


Apparently there will also be some exclusive (or at least timed-exclusive) Amazon-only Android apps, such as Angry Birds Rio, as well as a 'free app-of-the-day' feature where Amazon will select one premium application each day and make it free to consumers. Also, for those wondering whether an app is worth the asking price, Amazon will offer a 30-minute Test Drive facility that will let you try out a program you might fancy for your phone before purchasing.

One notable difference compared to Google's approach is that the Amazon App Store will have an approval process for apps to gain access. The company says it's going to take a somewhat relaxed stance as far as what's allowed on the store -- basically just blocking porn and anything related to illegal activities -- and that's probably a good thing. As Google certainly knows by now being "too open" can lead to a flurry of malware apps compromising devices.

The launch didn't go without a hitch, though. Apple has decided that the name is just too similar to its own App Store and issued a formal complaint. According to the iPhone maker, Amazon is "improperly using" Apple's trademark in connection to its mobile software developer program and its application download service.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/42926-amazon-android-app-store-goes-live-gets-sued.html

 
So, get Google, Microsoft, and Amazon together and keep pushing on that ridiculous trademark of Apple's for "app store" and see what happens. So far it's just been Microsoft complaining about Apple claiming sole propriety of such a generic term, but maybe putting a few more heavyweights into the fray will help kick some fruity gonads.
 
Now Apple's other Claim is F$cked...and Amazon will strength Microsoft's Case.
F$ck apple. Some one patent iApp Store...and sue Apple when they change their name to that.
 
It's worth noting that this is not (officially) supported on AT&T, since they block the sideloading of apps; the Amazon App Store is not in the Android Market, you have to Sideload it.

Root your phone and it should work... I'll try it tomorrow. I don't have a phone at the moment, and I seem to have the same dilemma as this guy.. http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/online_package_tracking.png
 
Guest said:
Now Apple's other Claim is F$cked...and Amazon will strength Microsoft's Case.
F$ck apple. Some one patent iApp Store...and sue Apple when they change their name to that.
Click to expand...

I'd almost bet that someone already did... is there a way to find out what's been patented? I'm sure there must be....
 
The sad part about all the big companies suing each other over little stuff is that WE are the ones paying for it. We all piss and moan about government waste and spending costing us money, but it's really a drop in the bucket as much as it costs consumers for 'corporate waste'.
 
It's nice to see Apple suing Amazon especially since Amazon loves to sue anyone using their patented 1 click buying, which essentially is saying they own a 'click'. And about the App Store trademark the word 'app' just officially entered the english dictionary last year and it was because of Apple's use of the word and making it mainstream. Is it fair, who knows, but that's how crazy things can get in the US trademarking/patenting system.
 
Hmph, installed the amazon store app, tried to download angy birds rio... message popped up stating that the service wasn't available in your country or something to that effect!

Disgruntled UK user
 
Guest said:
Now Apple's other Claim is F$cked...and Amazon will strength Microsoft's Case.
F$ck apple. Some one patent iApp Store...and sue Apple when they change their name to that.
Click to expand...

F#ck Apple! just like that!
 
gwailo247 said:
Will Apple request the IP address of everyone who has ever visited Amazon.com?
Click to expand...

Ha ha...Sony reference FTW!

But anyway, I do wonder how Apple is able to sue for the "app" name. They don't even technically own it yet (and hopefully never will). Unless Apple does somehow get the rights to that name, this would never even make it to court.

OH! And I forgot about something...how long has blackberry had their "App World"? Because if BB's App World came before Apple's App Store, then I don't think Apple can claim it. If not...why isn't Apple suing Blackberry as well? I want Apple to sue BB just so BB, Amazon, and Microsoft can team up together and kick Apple's a$$, lol.
 
Never mind, I reject my statement about Blackberry. I just remembered Apple is suing over "App Store", not just "App." My bad.
 
Steve Jobs should get a Dark Vader background audio, since he has long gone to the dark side.
 
Hey may have gone to the Darkside...but Karma's a B$tch seeing his current health condition. No money in the world from all the lawsuits his company gets will save his *** once his number is up. again..."Karma's a B$tch"
 
This just in... I'm trademarking the following generic business names, so I can sue the crap out of anyone that uses them: Grocery Store, Gas Station, Online Banking, Convenience Store... more to follow...

I figure, if Apple can take a generic term (app) that has been used for a decade or more prior to them making it popular, pair it with another generic term (store), and then not get immediately laughed out of the trademarking system, I should be able to do the same, right?
 
@matrix86 "App World" was released in april 2009, the "App Store" was released in june 2008.

@Vrmithrax have you ever heard of "The Container Store". And for Apple's benefit there are already a lot of trademarked names in the US that might be considered generic: The Paper Store, The Radiator Store, The Shade Store, Swag Store, Books On Tape and Vision Center.

So I think Apple will get it's trademark and people will just start calling their stores different like Blackberry did.
 
I did give this a spin, I do have good account with Amazon but getting the Amazon app down wasn't that easy as having a slice of apple pie. They need to work out the glitches. After that kinks the app did download and install. Once again just like with Amazon MP3 free songs of the day I get an email telling me thank you for your purchase today but this time for tha Amazon App Store.
 
Steve said:
They should have called it iApp iStore...
Click to expand...

I agree with this no matter which way you choose to interpret it. If it's Apple, they should be mandated by the court to change the name to the iApp iStore since this is their brand recognition scheme. If it's Amazon they should just do it out of spite.
 
screw apple!! i can't stand this company anymore. they started out as the little guy on the back end of big-brother (microsoft)...now they are worse than just about any company out there. all they do is complain. instead of making a decent product, they make 1 thing five years ago...make another one, slightly smaller and charge the same price for it, then complain when someone comes out with something better. i'm tired of hearing them complain. the world would be a better place without apple.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Daniel Sims
Windows 11 Android support ends next March
Replies
5
Views
175
trents
T
E
Apple opens up the App Store to allow retro game emulators
Replies
8
Views
156
Theinsanegamer
T
midian182
Beware: Fake LastPass app sneaks onto Apple's App Store
Replies
3
Views
249
m4a4
m4a4

Latest posts

Back