Paid-for Android apps arrive in UK

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 12 Mar 2009 at 11:03

The paid-for section of the Android Market has been opened to UK users.

Previously, only free apps were available through the Android Market, but the change will allow app developers to slap their own charges on their creations.

In order to keep people honest content on the Android Market will be rated by other users, meaning that developers who charge too much may be shouted down by their customers.

"When you click on the Android Marketplace icon in the morning there will be a wide selection of paid apps on the market," says Regan Whitehead, mobile internet category manager at T-Mobile UK. "It's like Ebay - developers are posting up their apps, they're setting the price, customers are rating independently and choosing what they want to have so it's an open market approach", he adds.

This stands in stark contrast to Apple's iTunes apps store which vets all content before publishing.

Among the more high-profile companies offering apps on launch are EA Sports and Activision.