Chapter 14

Alternative App Markets

In the last chapter, we discussed the Android Market and how you can download and install both free and paid apps from it. In this chapter, we’ll discuss other sources for apps you can acquire. Google doesn’t like to lock Android down. Unlike an iPad, your Android lets you install apps from third-party sources without having to jailbreak your device. One caveat: Google doesn’t lock Android, but that doesn’t prevent the device manufacturer (or your carrier) from trying to do so. Some tablets, such as the Nook Color and Kindle Fire, use modified versions of Android that prevent you from installing apps from outside sources. In the Fire and Nook’s case, “outside sources’’ include the Android Market.

There are some clear advantages to using third-party app markets. For example, they enable more competition and innovation. Also, selective app markets may offer a higher quality selection. Then again, they may not offer the same protections that the Android Market provides, including the ability to remove malicious apps. You should only download apps from reputable sources. As always, caveat emptor.