Amazon’s Android Appstore is being expanded to add support for apps for distribution in the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, with plans to add more countries in the near future. Does this mean Kindle Fire is about to spread its range?

The expansion overcomes a major drawback for developers considering creating an app for Amazon Appstore; that of a restricted market. Until now, potential customers outside the US could not download apps from outside the US. Adding the major European markets will help, and the likelihood is that the extra countries to be added will represent other important markets such as Japan, Central America, South America and Russia.

Although Amazon's announcement didn't mention the Kindle Fire, it is widely assumed that the full-color table that runs Amazon's own version of Android will also expand its coverage and become available in step with the Appstore coverage.

As developers, the change means you can now select the countries where you would like your apps to be sold and can set your list prices by marketplace. If you already have apps on sale, they’ll automatically be made available for sale internationally by default.

If you don’t want this to happen, you can change the international availability for your apps using the Distribution Portal.

You can also select particular countries where you don't want your apps to be sold. Amazon says that when you allow it to sell your apps internationally, you’re responsible for ensuring your apps comply with all applicable export and import restrictions and the laws of the countries in which the apps are sold.

Amazon isn’t going to require apps to support multiple languages, but says it encourages developers to consider localizing your apps with language translations for different regions.

Amazon has also announced two changes to the amount you’ll get paid for your apps. Until now, developers have earned the greater of either 70% of the sales price or 20% of the list price. This is changing to be simply 70% of the list price, which makes life simpler and more in line with other app stores.

More Information

Amazon Developer Blog

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