RUMOR: AMAZON LAUNCHING ANDROID APP STORE

TechCrunch is reporting that various sources and tips have led it to determine Amazon will be launching an Android app store.  Some of the details include:

• For each sale of an App, we will pay you a royalty equal to the greater of 70% of the purchase price or 20% of the List Price as of the purchase date (70/30 is standard, the 20/80 split is somewhat odd and confusing)
  
• The List Price is apparently in place so that you can’t sell your app cheaper on other “similar services” — meaning other app stores, presumably
  
• The “similar services” should also include the forthcoming Chrome Web Store
  
• There is a $99 fee to be a developer in this program (the same as Apple’s iOS developer program)
  
• If your app is available on other platforms, you have to make sure to update it at the same time on Amazon’s store that you do in any other store
  
• Apps will have to be laced with Amazon DRM — meaning they will only work on devices they approve
  
• Amazon has the right to pull any app for any reason
  
• Apps can also be shown on amazon.com
  
• Free apps can be offered
  
• The app store is U.S.-only
  
• Amazon will have sole discretion to determine all features and operations of this program and to set the retail price and other terms on which we sell Apps
  

[TechCrunch]