Extra! Extra! Android App Distribution Improving

One of the fundamental differences between iOS and Google Android products is how apps for the two platforms are distributed.  For Apple, the App Store is the only game in town, whereas Android developers have a great many distribution networks to help them get their products to their customers.

Of course, Apple’s product consolidation allows it to track sales and rank app consumption more efficiently than its competitor, but it seems that Google is beginning to close the gap.  As Distimo recently reported, Google is in the process of launching a new Android client for smartphones that will include the following features:

• Localized application rankings.
• Additional ranking listings that now include Top Paid, Top Free, Top Grossing, Top New Paid, Top New Free, and Trending lists.
• Shorter click-to-purchase flow.
• Addition of Books and Movies categories.

This is, of course, good news for budding app developers like yourself, as it means that your customers will have a much easier time finding the product you’re hoping to sell them.

Google Android’s open market allows you to distribute your app in a number of venues, which is certainly good news for developers concerned about “Apple’s discoverability problems” who hope to reach the broadest possible consumer base.  For example, Amazon runs a daily promotion that offers paid mobile apps for free for twenty four hours, and it turns out that its “free-for-a-day” Android app deals are in fact wildly popular.  Furthermore, the folks at 148apps.biz recently reported the launch of a new app discovery and advertising service by W3i designed to help developers reach an even broader number of consumers.   Having realized the marketing potential of Amazon’s “free-for-a-day” promotion, W3i’s MAAP service will also offer this option.

Apple may rule the roost when it comes to mobile app sales, but the good news is the Android market is taking important steps towards improving the distribution of its products.

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