Android is an open platform. In contrary to Apple’s App Store, users with an Android phone can also download an install applications outside of the Android Market. Google also allows other parties to create their own application stores for Android. An example we reported on yesterday is the AppsLib store from Archos for high-end Android tablet PC’s.

Since April 2008, an independent app store for Android called SlideMe has been around. The store was originally created to fix certain shortcomings the founders saw in the original Android Market:

Have an application that Google prevents you from stocking in the Android Market, leaving you and your app stranded? Are there users desperate to buy your application but they don’t have access to Google Checkout or the Android Market? Do you want to show off your app but feel limited by not having screenshots or video in the Android Market?

If so, then you’ve found the right place at SlideME, the Original Market for Android (We launched our portal and mobile client in April 2008). What we do for the developer is simple. We provide a way to market, deliver and download content to users that you wouldn’t have access to in your traditional channels.

SlideME Application Manager

Content

At this moment, close to 300 applications are available, divided in 16 different application categories. Both free and paid applications are supported.

Downloading applications

Consumers that want to download applications, first need to download the SlideME Application Manager to their Android phone. After this, they can browse and download application from the phone. According to SlideME, their application manager was downloaded over 40,000 times.

Billing

Consumers that want to purchase applications, first can setup their preferred way of payment on the SlideME website. Current supported payment methods are Amazon Payments and a selection of credit cards. Support for direct bank transfer is coming.

Revenue share

SlideME does not take a revenue share. Developers pay a transaction fee, depending on the exact payment method a consumer uses. According to SlideME, developer share can get as high as 98%. SlideME’s business model is to charge for licensing and branding of  the storefront and client. Their aim is to get the store pre-installed by handset manufacturers.

SlideME is not the only independent app store for Android, and it will be interesting to see how this will develop. Will a lot of new stores for Android emerge and start competing on revenue share for developers? Possibly, but for gaining a large consumer reach, presence on the device itself is crucial. Google of course has this, but device manufacturers like Archos are also capable of putting a pre-installed market on the consumer device.

We will keep track on SlideME and other independent stores to see how the available content and consumer reach will develop over time. SlideME was added to our mobile app store overview.