Can Intel Turn Netbook ‘AppUp’ Into Another App Store?

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If it walks like an App Store and quacks like an App Store, it’ll succeed like an App Store, right? Well, that’s certainly Intel’s hope as it unveils AppUp, a site promoting applications built around the Atom processor for the growing number of netbooks.

The beta version was introduced Thursday, during the first day of CES in Las Vegas. AppUp is a ‘white label’ version of Apple’s App Store, which recently celebrated topping 3 billion downloads for the iPhone and iPod touch. Although Intel introduced AppUp, we’re likely to see customized versions from Dell, Acer, Samsung and other makers of netbooks powered by Intel’s Atom processor.


AppUp beta can currently be downloaded for Windows netbooks, but may come pre-installed and branded on the low-cost PCs. However, the application takes several pages from Apple’s App Store playbook, including the user interface and operation.

Like the App Store, consumers can search for applications in various categories, including games, education and health. Some of the first apps include Boxee’s streaming media software, the Visual Eating and Exercise Program (VEEP), and a news browser called Newsy. Additional apps are expected from developers part of the Intel Atom Developer Program.

Another familiar feature: a 70-30 revenue split favoring developers which mirrors Apple’s arrangement with App Store entrants. New apps for AppUp must first be validated by Intel. The process had become a sore point between Apple and its developer base.

But is an App Store needed for Windows machines, especially when applications can be found through a Google search? That may be one of the questions Intel hopes to answer through the beta process. The ‘AppUp’ store is just the latest attempt to rival Apple’s success.

The number of applications available for download from rival app stores are a far cry from Apple’s. Google Android Marketplace has 20,000 apps, according to one report By late 2009, Microsoft had around 246 Windows Mobile applications. Nokia’s Ovi store also opened in 2009.

[Via VentureBeat, Engadget, AppleInsider]

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