Slide ME is an Android application store- founded last year and headquartered in Seattle. Developers can provide their applications to users at cost or for free. Slide ME offers developers a forum in which to interact with end-users and promote their applications. While many of the currently listed applications are free, developers can enter a paypal account to receive donations. Another useful function of Slide ME is the “Hire this Developer” button, which puts those looking to commission an application in contact with those capable of producing it. There is also a Slide ME forum where developers can offer their services or be solicited for commissions and for general discussion.
Slide ME has, among other disbursement methods, a prepaid MasterCard. This is similar to paycards offered by many employers- probably not the best option for some, but available- and available to international developers.
Slide ME also provides a rights-protection section of code, which can be added to applications preventing users from forwarding the application to others.
Users can search apps by category, view the number of previous downloads an application has had and read user comments. This community aspect seems to be Slide ME’s focus. They encourage knowledgeable and interested parties (and writers and the media) to register and add commentary to the community. There is an “Accredited Member” status for these users and Accredited Members will receive exposure through Slide ME’s newsletter and on the site, so it is a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Payment for applications, of which there are nearly 200 today (most of these being free or under $1) are accepted from Amazon Payments or from a growing number of credit cards and other sources (including plans to accept PayPal, Western Union, direct bank debits, and checks in the future.)
Slide ME features a user-friendly interface and layout and applications currently available range from “aBubblePop”, a free application that simulates popping bubble wrap to “Textecution”, which disables texting and web surfing at high speeds (i.e. while driving) for $9.99.
