Google Opens Android Web Store, Shows 'Honeycomb' Tablet Software

Search engine Google announced that it launched a new Web-based Android (News - Alert) Market to allow users to buy apps on a desktop or laptop and install them on a phone or tablet in a single action.

“We think it opens incredible opportunities for innovation in this new class of device,” said Hugo Barra, a director of product management for Android, in a statement. “We can't predict what the developer community is going to build with Honeycomb.”

Google showcased new capabilities for the Android operating system designed for tablets like Motorola's (News - Alert) Xoom. The 3D "carousels" capability allows users to scroll through books, music albums and other content stored on their devices. A Video Chat feature is also built into the honeycomb system.

The new Web-based Android Market lets users to buy an app from a laptop or desktop computer and install it on an Android device. A user has to log on to the Android Web store with a Google (News - Alert) account to integrate with any existing Android phone or tablet.

At a recent press meet, Google did not unveil a new tablet device. Google executives also declined to make any claims for the share of the market that Honeycomb can claim from Apple's (News - Alert) iPad.

Last year, Google announced that the Jordanian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology agreed to a $10 million deal that will give the Middle Eastern kingdom access to the search engine giant's online advertising platform.

According to this announcement, Google will reinvest $2.5 million back into the nation's information technology sector. It will allocate the funds to various digital media start ups and online advertising initiatives.

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