Google unveils open Android Market

Application developers tired of paying Apple a 30% fee to host their apps on the iTunes App store will soon have a more open alternative. Google released early details on what it calls the Android Market, "an open content distribution system that will help users find, purchase, download and install" content for their Android phones--for free. In other words, the Anti-Apple store.

Whereas Apple vets every application prior to posting it in its Apps Store, Google says the Android Market will use YouTube as its blueprint. It will let content owners add their apps simply by registering, uploading the content and publishing it. The difference will be akin to shopping at Macy's vs. a flea market.

The Android Market will be hosted by Google, feature a feedback and rating system similar to YouTube's and provide dashboard analytics to help developers "drive their business and ultimately improve their offerings." Google also says the first Android phones, due this fall, will sport a beta version of the Android Market, and "at a minimum, you can expect support for free (unpaid) applications," with support for paid apps coming soon after.

And like shopping at a flea market, buyer beware. No word on security, or how Google aims to keep malware and lousy applications off the site. Perhaps it plans to use the feedback/rating system as a sort of self-policing tool, which may be a bit too optimistic. Google says it's still hammering out some of these details. But for now, developers have a strong alternative to Apple and must be feeling more energized and ready to support Android right out of the gate.