Technology

Amazon offers 'test drives' of phone apps

App test drive screen. Credit: Amazon

Published: May 22, 2012 at 8:00 PM

SEATTLE, May 22 (UPI) -- Amazon says Android device owners unsure if they want to buy an application will be able to "test drive" it in its App store before they buy.

To test drive an app, users can click the "Test Drive" button on the app's product page and the app will run virtually, to let users experience what it would be like to have the app on their device, CNET.com reported Tuesday.

Test Drive is available on more than 5,000 applications offered through its App store and more programs will be added over time, Amazon said.

However, the feature is currently available in a beta version and only supports apps that use the touch screen and accelerometer features of smartphones, Amazon said.

Apps that require the keyboard, multitouch or the camera are not currently supported, it said.

Amazon had launched its Test Drive service last year but users could only try out apps from their browser, not directly in the App store.

© 2012 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

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