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Sep. 3, 2008

Google will start building an Android After-Market similar to Apple’s AppStore, in an effort to extend its reach in this highly competitive segment of wireless communications, and where the search giant is getting its feet wet.

In the past few months, Google has launched its Android mobile operating system, in an effort to compete with Apple and others.

The market for open source development in the mobile segment is growing fast. On June 29, Motorola has started shipping three new Linux wireless handsets. Analysts expect this trend to continue to grow.

Google's announcement came from its Android Developer Blog in which the search engine giant also announced winners of its software development contest.

Google’s Eric Chu wrote in the blog "overall, the Android Market is an open content distribution system that will help end users find, purchase, download and install various types of content on their Android-powered devices. The concept is simple; leverage Google's expertise in infrastructure, search and relevance to connect users with relevant content.”

Chu added “some decisions are still being made, but at a minimum you can expect support for free (read unpaid) applications. Soon after launch, an update will be provided that supports download of paid content and more features such as versioning, multiple device profile support, analytics, etc. Google will share more details as they become available.”

Google's new Android service will have feedback and ratings options similar to those in YouTube, Chu added. Mobile and open source developers will get a management dashboard, while the market itself is scheduled for a beta release with the initial Android-based handsets later this fall.

For Google's developer contest, winners of multiple $275,000 prizes include software for finding a taxicab, tracking your carbon footprint, shopping and entertainment.

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    This article was featured on Business 5.0 and on Tech Blog.

Source: Google.