AT&T does 180 degree change on third party app stores for its Android phones
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But there is some good news. AT&T customers, the mobile operator has heard you and in a statement the company says it will allow the Amazon store and other third party application markets to be downloaded to the carrier's Android models. "AT&T plans to offer the Amazon application store for Android smartphones and we're working to give our Android customers access to [other] third party application stores," the carrier's statement said, "This requires updates to our systems and finalizing arrangements with Amazon."
What might have been the catalyst to get AT&T executives to change their mind? Could this all be happening because the Amazon online store has the exclusive rights for the Android version of the Angry Birds Rio game? Another company that offers a third party application market, GetJar, is happy with AT&T's change of heart. Marketing chief Patrick Mork said in an email, "We’d be delighted if this was the case and we welcome AT&T’s move to open Android app distribution to third parties. We believe that the key to Android’s success is its open nature, which should impact all elements of the ecosystem….Open distribution enhances the opportunity for developers to reach a greater audience and is the critical first step to ensure healthier monetization."
AT&T did not announce when the current restrictions would be lifted.
source: AllThingsD
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8 Comments
1. vvelez5 posted on 29 Mar 2011, 01:01 1
Good move for ATT and Developers. More options = More money.
5. The Omega Man (unregistered) posted on 29 Mar 2011, 10:00 1
How about treating your customers like adults at&t. Give them the choice of where they get there apps and stop trying to protect them from the world.
7. fairly_mismatched (unregistered) posted on 29 Mar 2011, 12:57 0
With them hoping to purchase T-Mobile they are trying to show that they can play nice with everyone. They can always reapply restrictions after the deal goes through.
8. generalbocho (unregistered) posted on 29 Mar 2011, 15:13 0
"Could this all be happening because the Amazon online store has the exclusive rights for the Android version of the Angry Birds Rio game?"
Or could it be because the company that had them by the "nuts" (read Apple) is not their exclusivity anymore?
10. Cachemunny (unregistered) posted on 31 Mar 2011, 21:37 0
If they lift this restriction, would i be able to get PDAnet? I remember reading that AT&T blocked their customers from downloading this to their phone.
