Google Chrome Web Store Slated for an October Launch

Google is ready to reveal more about the Chrome Web Store which is now officially slated for October. At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) Europe, a couple of Googlers showed off some of the features of the Web Store, with an emphasis, understandably, on games.

Google has already talked about the Chrome Web Store, but details have been scarce. The groundwork has already been done, the latest Chrome builds support web apps and have for a while.

Web apps are not enabled by default and without the online component, the store itself, the functionality isn’t of much use. But it shows that the browser is pretty much ready for the Web Store launch.

One of the most important details from the presentation is that the Web Store is scheduled for an October launch. Things may still interfere with the launch date, but mid-fall is the target.

With Chrome OS also scheduled for a fall launch, the store has to go live before Chrome OS devices start shipping.

The Chrome Web Store looks remarkably like the iTunes App Store, but that is probably a good thing. It is also similar to the online Chrome extensions gallery.

The Web Store will feature both free and paid apps. It will use Google Checkout as a payment system, which could prove a weak point. There are rumors of Google being in talks with PayPal for the Android Marketplace and a deal could easily include the Web Store.

Developers will have the possibility to offer demo versions of the apps as well as have a subscription system. In-app payments, using virtual currencies, will also be supported.

Google also had a very nice surprise for developers, while the plan initially was to go with a 70/30 revenue split, like Apple does with the App Store, Google now says that it will only keep about 5 percent of the revenue as processing fees.

Another nice surprise is that there will be no review process, apps are automatically approved, except in certain cases. Google also does this with Chrome extensions, most are automatically added to the online gallery without human intervention and approval.