LOS ANGELES —
Amazon began rolling out a mobile version of its Appstore’s Test Drive feature, which lets users try apps before they buy them.
The beta version of the new feature became available to certain types of Android phones Tuesday, the company announced on a blog. Test Drive will let users try out more than 5,000 Android apps before deciding whether or not they’d like to purchase them right from their phone.
Test Drive has been a staple of Amazon’s Appstore since last year, but it was previously confined to users’ desktops. Adding the feature to mobile, Amazon is putting it where most app purchases occur, according to the post.
“The more we remove friction for customers who want to try apps, the more apps they will try,” Jerry Heinz, Test Drive’s general manager, said in the blog post. “Those customers are more likely to find apps they are excited to download. In this way, Test Drive helps customers understand the value of premium apps and helps drive downloads of freemium apps.”
For now, the feature will also be confined to select apps, which are those using the touchscreen and accelerator inputs. The post says apps “that require Java Native Interface (JNI), keyboard, multi-touch, microphone, camera, gyroscope, near-field communication or GPS” are not yet being included, but over time, more will be added.
Test Drive will also make it onto more Android phones in the future, according to the post.
Business
Amazon rolls out Test Drive feature for select Android phones
- Business
-
-
Stock market falls as traders fear stimulus cuts
Stocks are falling after the Federal Reserve gave a slightly more optimistic outlook for the U.S. economy, which investors took as a hint that the bank was nearer to a decision to reduce its economic stimulus program.
-
Top UK court overturns sanctions on Iranian bank
Britain’s Supreme Court quashed sanctions against an Iranian bank penalized over its alleged links to Iran’s nuclear weapons program, saying Wednesday that Bank Mellat had been arbitrarily singled out.
-
Netflix to expand to Netherlands later this year
Netflix is going Dutch.
-
World Bank highlights climate-poverty link
The World Bank says it will increasingly view its efforts to help developing countries fight poverty through a “climate lens.”
-
Japan formally OKs new nuke safety requirements
Japan’s nuclear watchdog formally approved a set of new safety requirements for atomic power plants Wednesday, paving the way for the reopening of facilities shut down since the Fukushima disaster in a move critics charge is too hasty.
-
World Food Prize goes to 3 biotech scientists
The World Food Prize Foundation on Wednesday took the bold step of awarding this year’s prize to three pioneers of plant biotechnology whose work brought the world genetically modified crops.
-
Investors look for answers on economy from Fed
Worry and speculation have consumed investors since Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke to Congress last month about the Federal Reserve’s drive to keep long-term interest rates at record lows.
-
Dish won’t submit revised bid for Sprint
Satellite TV operator Dish Network Corp. said Tuesday it would not submit a revised bid for Sprint, leaving the path open for the wireless carrier to accept what it already considers a superior offer from Japan’s Softbank.
-
West Virginia mine safety lab creates disasters to train
Orange flames lick at the roof of the coal mine, heat building and visibility dropping as smoke begins to fill the underground passageway.
-
Stocks edge lower as investors wait on Fed
Stocks edged lower in early trading on Wall Street Wednesday as investors waited for word from the Federal Reserve.
- More Business Headlines
-
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
