GetJar app store is giving away games for Android, BlackBerry and Java-enabled phones

GetJar is the biggest independent app store in the world and probably tied up for the second place with Android Market. To increase the awareness about its presence, GetJar has partnered with the game developer Glu Mobile to offer some of their older titles for Android, BlackBerry and good ol' Java, for free. These games usually cost $1-$5, but for the next two weeks users can download them off GetJar, and play without spending a dime. Competition is so nice, when it benefits you. The games include strategies, like "Build-a-lot", and action titles such as "Race Driver".

GetJar has an ad-supported business model, i.e. developers can't charge on it, but rather use advertising revenue, or promote their applications and upsell, in order to monetize the GetJar presence. For users whose phones don't have a dedicated app platform, the store also offers an extensive collection of Java-based applications. You just need to redirect your phone's browser towards GetJar's mobile site and it will show you the compatible apps. Or, alternatively, you can visit the website and enter your cell phone or model numbers to see what's in store for it. It is available in more than 200 countries, with about a 100 million downloads per month.

However, while wildly popular outside US, GetJar has had little brand presence in the minds of US users. Verizon phones have been a notable exception for the app store. They run the BREW Mobile platform by Qualcomm, which is a close environment. With the advent of BlackBerry and Android devices, though, GetJar's access to Verizon's stable is improving. The games offered are nothing very exciting, but you can't beat free, so if you are interested, head over to GetJar and have a look.

source: PCMag