Call it entrepreneurial ingenuity, but it can hardly have been in Google's blueprint for Android that developers would need to bundle additional software to their apps to make any money.
StartApp's venture on Google's OS, however, does exactly that. Developers that implement the startup's API essentially strap on a bookmark for its search engine that's automatically installed on the home screen of any phone that the app's downloaded onto.
For this service, the developer gets a small payment for each enabled-app that's downloaded.
Coming to the rescue
The Israeli outfit estimates a developer can earn anywhere between $10-50 per 1,000 downloads, which the company claims is higher than the $4 average most developers suffer on the platform.
Either way, that's some range the firm has served up, with StartApp-generated revenue coming in anywhere between $10,000 and $50,000 should a developer be lucky enough to top the rather lofty figure of 1 million downloads.
Alternatively, a share of the search engine revenue is available.
It seems like a weird model but StartApp, which was founded in 2010, claims it's answering a need.
"We know that most Android app developers aren't generating real revenue from their apps," the firm states on its website.
"Current monetisation options such as in-app ads and freemium result in a bad user experience and with no substantial revenue.
"We are striving to help these developers generate real revenue while improving the user experience of their end users."
Searching for answers
The real question, however, is whether the StartApp model - which mirrors the kind of toolbar strap ons many PC-based distribution schemes employ will be embraced by consumers.
There's a chance many will simply cancel any download once they've read the associated warning, or remove the search icon from their home screen once the app they're after has been installed.
StartApp's answer? There's always room for improvement.
"We know that these are no easy goals," the firm concludes. "So far we are well on our way, with some incredible numbers achieved during our beta test."
[source: [TechCrunch]
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With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
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