Just in time for Christmas Amazon’s Appstore opens for business across Europe. Well, at least the online marketplace is available in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Much anticipated, and way overdue according every Android user in Europe, one of Amazon’s most successful branches hopes to grab a share of Google Play’s thunder across the pond.
17 months after the US launch Amazon has seen great success in America, so many have wondered what the holdup was for engaging Europe. The company has been after developers for some months to submit their apps for distribution to Western Europe, but this does not explain why it has take so long for the world’s leading online retailer to jump the pond. Some experts suggest Amazon’s biggest competitor in Europe, Google Play’s success is probably part of the reason. Jim Adkins, VP of Amazon Appstore offered a clue via the company’s official press release.
“Customers in the U.S. have purchased millions of apps, games, in-app items and subscriptions since the store launched last year, and we’ve received great feedback about discovery features like Free App of the Day. We evaluate and test games and apps before making them available in the Appstore so we ensure customers have a great experience with the games and apps they purchase.”
The comments suggest Amazon was doing their fair share of due diligence in testing the US market before making moves global. But then, Europe is not California or Georgia either when it comes to Android consumption. Just how well Amazon has research what will fly in Europe?
Also according to Amazon, every European store will be localized to suit the particular consumer need and want therein. For one, the United Kingdom will mirror the US bearing the name “Amazon Appstore for Android”. Whereas Germany, France and Italy will be called simply “App Shop”. “Tienda Apps” will welcome Spanish Android consumers.
With Kindle Fire about to be released outside the US, Amazon’s Free App of the Day program coming to Europe, cool games not available before like “Angry Birds Rio” and “Angry Birds Seasons”, Android fans in these early Europe markets have a lot to watch out for. As importantly, Amazon as a complete developer sales platform does nothing but good for the supply side of mobile tech.
