Handango beating Android Market to the paid app punch
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Oct 16th 2008 8:40PM
posted Oct 16th 2008 8:40PM
Handango is certainly no stranger to the business of hawking mobile apps for cash, and it's using its expertise constructively to beat Google's own Android Market out of the gate this time around. They're getting pretty snazzy with the payment terms, too, allowing developers to offer apps for free (though why anyone would do this instead of just using the on-device Market is unclear), a one-time purchase price, or a number of different subscription terms. Seeing how they'll be the only name-brand clearinghouse in town for selling Android apps any time soon, we're thinking this is going to get some play -- but once the Market gets its act together, we're not seeing the value proposition. Call us lazy, but why would we want to drag ourselves over to a website when we've got the Market waiting for us in the application tab?
maybe it has to do with the Android Market's agreement to be able to remove with a kill switch, whereas maybe Handango's wouldn't be subject to that. Only my theory. Not sure how that agreement is constructed.
Android isn't suited for a single controlled app clearinghouse. That's what Apple provides, and exactly what Android shouldn't be. The Market is there to satisfy neophytes and iPhone users. Handango would be my and most Symbian and WinMo smartphone users first choice instead of some imitation App Store.
I agree, Handango could have more freedom in what it does with its app store. It won't be for everyone. But certainly variety drives innovation, and that is the key purpose of Android.
So far only 1 app is available; An 18 hole Golf Game for the G1.
I'm sure Handango will have an extensive catalog prepared by the time the G1 is offically in the hands of T-Mobile subscribers. It'll be nice to have a device with an app store other than Apples and without hacking the device to the extent of the Iphone/Ipod Touch.