Verizon Wireless expands V Cast Apps to embrace Android

With its annual Verizon Developer Community conference a week away, Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) is poised to significantly expand its developer partner ranks with the addition of Android mobile applications to the operator's V Cast Apps storefront. Verizon Wireless will offer V Cast Apps across smartphones running Android 2.2, among them the Droid 2, Droid X and Droid Incredible. A post on the Verizon Wireless VDC Hot Topics site confirms the company is now accepting Android apps, stating that developers who've previously submitted V Cast Apps solutions for BlackBerry and who wish to extend the same application to Android must re-submit their concept with an upgraded version--"For example: If you submitted VDC App 1.0 for the BlackBerry Bold, you will have to submit a new concept for Android under the name VDC App 2.0," the carrier explains. Developers can submit their apps here.

Verizon Wireless first announced V Cast Apps in July 2009 at its maiden Verizon Developer Community event, formally rolling out the store in March to BlackBerry Storm2 users. V Cast Apps promises consumers one-click access to mobile applications billed directly to their monthly account statements--earlier this summer, Verizon Wireless said the Verizon Developer Community has now attracted more than 5,000 participants, adding that their V Cast Apps software can go from concept submission to consumer availability is as few as two weeks.

V Cast Apps and its operator billing functionality may prove to be a more attractive developer proposition than Google's own Android Market storefront, where programmers have struggled to turn a profit. Free applications presently dominate Android Market, accounting for 60 percent of its mobile software inventory according to a recent report issued by app store analytics provider Distimo. Developers in only nine countries are presently able to distribute paid applications via Android Market--moreover, paid apps are available in only 14 of the 46 countries that Android Market serves.

Another obstacle: Android Market consumers must register for a Google Checkout account in order to download paid applications, except in locations where operator billing is available. Android developers also have criticized Google's decision to allow consumers to return a downloaded app within 24 hours for a full refund.

For more on Android's introduction to V Cast Apps:
- check out the VDC Hot Topics site

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Verizon Wireless launches V Cast Apps storefront
Verizon Wireless opens binary submissions for V Cast Apps