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Google has announced support for paid apps! Read more below the fold…

Summary: Apps can be uploaded NOW, with prices up to $200. Google checkout is required to sell (as expected.) Mid-next-week, end users in the USA can start buying apps (after the end of the rc33 rollout, scheduled for 2/15.) You cannot upload 2 apps with the same package name, so you’ll need to do some magic renaming to offer trial/full.

g1bb writes:

I noticed a ‘Setup a Merchant Account at Google CheckoutFree’ is now available at market.android.com, but not functional yet. We’re getting closer! Is the link working for anyone?

update: Woah, now I can specify a price!

And from IRC:

<blau1> they added copy protection!
<blau1> its an option now when you upload
<blau1> Publishing options
<blau1> Copy ProtectionOff (Application can be copied from the device)On (Helps prevent copying of this application from the device. Increases the amount of memory required by users to install the application)

Also courtesy blau, the email that just went to developers:

Hello,

I’m writing to let you know about a couple of updates to Android Market.

I’m pleased to announce that Android Market is now accepting priced applications from US and UK developers.  Developers from these countries can go to the publisher website at http://market.android.com/publish to upload their application(s) along with end user pricing for the apps. Initially, priced applications will be available to end users in the US starting mid next week.  We will add end user support for additional countries in the coming months.

We will also enable developers in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, France, and Spain to offer priced applications later this quarter.  By the end of Q1 2009, we will announce support for developers in additional countries.
You can find more information about priced applications in Android Market at http://market.android.com/support/

Google Checkout will serve as the payment and billing mechanism for Android Market.  Developers who do not already have a Google Checkout merchant account can easily sign up for one via the publisher website.

Furthermore, I would like to let you know that Android Market for free applications will become available to users in Australia starting February 15th Pacific Time and in Singapore in the coming weeks.  You can now make your applications available in these countries via the publisher website at http://market.android.com/publish.

Finally, if you would like to receive development and marketing information, please go to your profile page at http://market.android.com/publish/editProfile and select the “Contact me occasionally about development and Market opportunities” checkbox.

We look forward to seeing your applications on Android Market.

Eric Chu,
Android Market

Google, Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA  94043

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