Amazon has a number of Android apps in its really big store, and among them are great quality options. For some time in the specific application you could find actions where free developments were offered in a timely manner. But, now, a service has arrived in Spain that aims to position itself as one of the references when users download jobs: Amazon Underground.
This option was already available in other regions and the truth is that it has been a success. And what is the reason? Simple: offers thousands of apps, such as games, completely free to download (and with all in-app purchases included in many developments). You're probably already interested in Amazon Underground, right?
How profitable Amazon Underground is
The above raises questions about how developers can make it profitable to include an app on Amazon Underground, since there are no ads either. This is achieved because the online store is the one that pay creators for usage time which is given to the development if it has been downloaded through the service that is now available in Spain (of course, creators are asked to only make their work free through this new option).
In addition to pay-per-use, Amazon tagged this catalog with the distinctive brand “Actually Free”, which identifies premium apps and games whose content in-app purchases It's included at no cost. For the user, this means not having to pay for lives, expansions, or in-game upgrades; for the developer, it means a measured revenue stream. per minute of use (approximately €0,0018 per minute as a reference, prorated by effective time).
This model eliminates the need to introduce invasive ads in apps and opens the door to titles as recognized as Monument Valley, Final Kick, Cut the Rope: Magic, Facetune, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Free Frozen Fall, Goat Simulator, Angry Birds Slingshot Stella o Bad PiggiesSome of this content is usually priced at other stores, but it's included in Underground at no extra cost.
For developers, the proposal is completed with a specific portal from which upload and manage your apps, check usage metrics, and monitor availability by market. As a peculiarity, in the Amazon Appstore you will sometimes see of the results of the same title: one with its usual price and another with the Amazon Underground label, indicating that it can be obtained free of charge within this section.
Please note that availability may vary by region and device, and some Underground apps may take longer to update than other stores, as they're adapted to the program. Occasionally, you'll see a brief Amazon branding screen at the start of certain titles, which doesn't affect the experience and disappears when you open the app.
Get Amazon Underground
Any user with an Android device can get the new service. Simply access this link and follow the prompts on the screen. In the application that is installed there is a specific section in which are the free developments and, selecting the one you want, proceed to download.
If you prefer, it is also possible to go to the address amazon.com/underground or its local equivalent to download the installer. On most devices, you'll need to enable it first. Unknown origins in Settings > Security to be able to install the .apk file. Then, open Downloads (or My Files), locate the Amazon_App.apk package and tap Install.
The first time you open the app you will be able to choose log in with your account from Amazon or browse without logging in. Signing in lets you sync your library, manage orders, and receive apps directly. From the side menu (located in the top left), you can access all sections of Amazon, not just the Appstore: books, electronics, home... The offering is so wide that it's worth focusing on Apps Underground to avoid distractions.
Inside the store, look for the label Actually Free on each tab. You'll see the full description, Reviews of customers, requested permissions, and product details. You can also “Get App” from a desktop browser and send it to your phone to install when you're on Wi-Fi. If you're traveling or in a country where the section doesn't appear yet, the menu includes the option to Change country as long as your account and payment method are compatible.
Amazon, in parallel, uses this program to attract new users to its ecosystem. On a practical level, it competes head-to-head with Google Play by offering a legal way to download paid apps free of charge and with in-app purchases unlocked. In regions where promotions from other stores don't always reach, Underground becomes a permanent showcase for high-value offers.
The truth is that it is a really interesting bet, since it is stand up to Google definitively with Amazon Underground, since at the moment Google does not have anything similar in its store (and, furthermore, in regions such as Spain offers do not always arrive). We will see if the profitability for all parties is adequate, that everything indicates that this will be the case due to the information available. In the meantime, be sure to review the available options, there are some of the most attractive.