Verizon claims V CAST app store won't usurp Android Market
updated 11:15 pm EDT, Tue September 21, 2010
Verizon insists V CAST Apps will allow competition
Verizon at its developer conference tried to downplay concerns that its upcoming V CAST Apps mobile app store wouldn't undermine Android Market. The network's consumer product VP Greg Haller insisted the carrier-run store wouldn't block Android Market, other stores, or even direct downloads through the browser. He instead portrayed it a way of possibly improving the experience if developers feel they'll have better success than elsewhere.
"V CAST Apps is not out to take over your phone," Haller said. "It’s not about preventing other app stores, or preventing apps to be downloaded through the browser or other means; this is about choice for our customers."
The comments may partially diffuse tensions between Verizon and Android users, many of whom have been anxious since plans for a Verizon-run app store were mentioned earlier this month. Until Android, Verizon was historically known for imposing its own software choices, in many cases blocking or hiding the official options or alternatives. The company also recently backtracked on its approach to openness by mandating Bing search on the Samsung Fascinate and seemingly preventing easy access to getting Google search back. The option may be fixed with Android 2.2.
