Amazon App Store

I just recently started using the "newish" Amazon app store on my Android phone. So far I love it. They offer one paid app for free each day. In the past couple weeks they have offered some good apps too, not just strange games. I've downloaded a great alternative keyboard, a camera app, a launcher and a few games. They also seem to offer special pricing on some apps that are not present in the Android App Store. For example I was able to purchase Widget Locker for 50% less than it was listed in the Android App Store.

All this to say I have noticed one annoying thing about using a different app store to make app purchases, and/or downloads. Now that I have these apps on my phone, the Android App Store knows I have them and alerts me when there are updates to the apps. Great so far. Trouble is that when I am using the Android App store, I cannot update an app that I purchased from the Amazon App store. It shows that there is an update to the app, but then when I try to update it, it prompts me to pay for the app again. Bummer. Add to this annoyance, when I go to the Amazon App store, there are no app updates listed. Strange.

So I emailed Amazon support about this issue and received a couple responses. First response was just directions on how to use their app store and was not helpful at all. After I wrote them back and explained my issue again, they responded with a detailed account of what their app store policies are when it comes to application updates. I thought the response was worth sharing with the public since I imagine I am not the first Android user to notice this issue when using other app stores.

Here is their response in full to me:

Hello Greg,

I'm very sorry to hear that you are having difficulty with the updating of your apps with the Amazon Appstore.

There is currently an issue with the Google Platform that causes update notification errors between third party app providers including the Android Market and Amazon Appstore.  Apps that are purchased on one market will be recognized by another market and update notifications will be posted, even though the update is not available.  Google is currently working to resolve the issue.

Updates to the Amazon Appstore must pass a verification process before being released to our customers.  To ensure the highest quality apps in our catalog, we take all submissions through a series of tests. In this process we screen the apps for known viruses and malware, test the app to check that it actually does what it claims to do, and test whether the app affects the stability of the other functions of your phone. These tests include (but are not limited to):

   Installation: The application installs and opens, upgrades can be installed and the application can be uninstalled by following the phone's regular uninstall method.

   Functionality: The application doesn't crash and the description of the application matches the application's description.

   Usability: Graphics, videos, animation, and text within the app are clear and readable to the user

   Technical: The application doesn't interfere with, or stop working when, a user receives calls or text messages while the application is running.

This process can cause a lag time between the submission and the release to our customers.

Your apps can be updated from "My Apps" within the Amazon Appstore. Click the "Update Available" tab to see applications on your device that have updates.

Once you select the app you wish to update from the list, the permissions required by the app will need to be reviewed again. Click "Accept" to install.

If you are still having trouble accessing the updates for your apps, please contact Customer Service using the Contact Us button on our Help pages:

http://www.amazon.com/appstorehelp

Contacting us through the website allows you to verify security before a call is placed and ensures we have your account information ready when we call you. If your country isn’t listed or you’re unable to take advantage of the Contact Us feature, you can call us directly at 1-866-749-7771. Support for the Amazon Appstore is available between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. PST, 7 days a week.

We look forward to speaking with you soon.

I hope this helps! We look forward to seeing you again soon.

I was impressed. It's nice to know they are checking the apps. It is annoying that their process slows the app update process but I don't want to download any crappy apps or apps with viruses either.

If you haven't checked out the Amazon App store, I'd recommend it.