Amazon unveiled a virtual currency Tuesday to enhance the potential for
developers to make real money in games and other "apps" tailored for
Kindle Fire tablet computers.
Amazon Coins will be introduced in the
United States in May in a move aimed at inspiring the creation of more
fun, hip or functional programs for its challenge to iPads and rival
tablets powered by Android software.
Industry analysts maintain
that the availability of apps synched with people's lifestyles can be
more important than slick hardware when it comes to which mobile gadgets
people buy.
"Amazon Coins gives customers an easy way to spend
money on developers' apps on Kindle Fire in the Amazon Appstore," said
Amazon vice president of apps and games Paul Ryder.
The
Seattle-based online retail titan is providing added incentive for
developers by promising to give away tens of millions of dollars in
Amazon Coins for people to spend when the virtual currency is
introduced.
Amazon coins can be used to buy applications or to pay for virtual goods or features sold inside mini-programs.
Developers get to keep 70 percent of the revenue, with Amazon getting 30 percent.
"Amazon's
new virtual currency is designed to open new opportunities for
developers and make things easier for customers," said ZeptoLab chief
executive Misha Lyalin, whose company makes "Cut the Rope" and other
game apps.
"Everyone recognizes Amazon's success in the e-commerce
world now the Amazon Appstore has become a major player in the mobile
app marketplace."