We still have plenty more IFA news to bring you, but this rather interesting story has broken during our time in Germany...

Showing it is taking the battle directly to Apple's iPhone 3G, Google has announced a third party application store called 'Android Market' which will be accessible on all Android handsets.

Just as with the iPhone's App Store users will be able to download and install applications from Android Market directly onto their handset as well as leave feedback and ratings. Developers will also be thrilled to hear Google will be sticking to the principle of its OS by making Market an open service.


Naturally, how such a notion will run in practice if/when apps appear which break laws/copyrights remains to be seen but we can't deny this is an exciting, if anticipated, development. First Android handset(s) - ie the Dream - will ship with a beta version of Android Market such is its newness but then again Google is a company which loves running never ending betas - after all, Google Mail is somehow still in one!

An update to Android Market soon after launch will then follow bringing full support for paid applications so all you impoverished coders out there - if you haven't already - get tapping away.

2009 is shaping up to be one heck of a smartphone rumble...

Labels: GPhone

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