Di independent app marketplace, Aptoide, don announce say dem don approve im special games store, wey dem call Aptoide Games, for distribution through Google Play inside United States. Dis one na under Google im new Play Catalog Access program, wey mean say competition don finally enter Android ecosystem.
For di first time for many years, millions of Android users for US go fit discover and install one fully independent app store for games directly from Google Play. Dis na big change, because before, e bin dey hard to get alternative app store without going through plenty stress.
Aptoide na one of di biggest independent Android app marketplaces for di whole world, wey dem found for 2009. Dem dey serve around 25 million monthly active users and dem get access to more than 400,000 Android applications. United States na di company im largest market.
Dis announcement dey come after one long period of change for Android ecosystem. E bin get regulatory scrutiny and landmark Epic Games v. Google case, wey challenge di old restrictions wey dey affect competition for Android app distribution. Google don also introduce Play Catalog Access program, wey allow qualifying third-party app stores to integrate with Google Play infrastructure but still remain independent.
For Aptoide, dis one get special historical meaning. Di company bin dey distribute im app store through Google Play for early days of Android, but policies wey no allow competing app stores inside Google Play make dem remove am. More than ten years later, Aptoide don return under new framework wey dey recognise third-party marketplaces.
“Dis one na more than just product launch,” said Paulo Trezentos, CEO and Co-founder of Aptoide. “More than ten years ago, Android users lose di ability to discover alternative app stores through Google Play. Today, dat one don change. Users dey get more choice, developers dey get more distribution opportunities, and Android dey become more open and competitive ecosystem.”
Aptoide believe say availability of independent marketplaces through Google Play go benefit users, developers and Android platform itself. E go lower distribution barriers while preserving user security. For di past fifteen years, Aptoide don invest plenty for trust and safety technologies, including malware detection, app validation, developer verification and machine-learning systems wey dey identify dangerous applications before dem reach users.
“Competition dey drive innovation,” said Álvaro Pinto, Chief Operating Officer of Aptoide. “Developers suppose get multiple ways to reach users, and users suppose get genuine freedom to choose where dem dey discover applications. Making independent app stores accessible through Google Play na important step towards healthier Android ecosystem.”
Di company believe say reducing friction for users wey wan install competing marketplaces go encourage innovation across Android distribution. E go also expand opportunities for developers wey dey look for alternative to single distribution channel.
Dis launch dey come as mobile platform regulation dey evolve for global level. Authorities for plenty jurisdictions don encourage more openness for digital marketplaces. Competition authorities and courts dey examine how mobile operating systems go support consumer choice and competing distribution platforms.
Beyond Android, Aptoide don also become one of di few independent app marketplace operators wey Apple approve to distribute apps on iOS under European Union im Digital Markets Act. Di company dey currently operate im iOS marketplace for European Union and dem don select am to participate in similar alternative app marketplace programs for Japan and Brazil as those markets dey open to greater competition.
