Augen GenTouch78 Android Tablet Now Using AndAppStore

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The great $150 Android tablet that never was. Well, maybe great is a little strong, but either way the Augen GenTouch78 tablet is not quite as nice sounding as it was at first launch. The reasoning behind is that Kmart has decided to stop selling it, but more important and perhaps the reason behind Kmart decision is the conflict with Google.

It seems that Augen was using the official Android Market without proper permission from Google, and since then they have failed to come to a proper licensing agreement. Sounds like bad news for anyone that did manage to get one from Kmart, lets hope that if you did, you are still within your return period.

Otherwise there is a tiny sliver of light at the end of the tunnel as Gentouch did find a replacement for the Android Market. The new app directory comes in the form of the AndAppStore. Which is an Android app directory run by a company called Funky Android Ltd.

According to the details in the ever-so-brief announcement;

“Augen, the distributors of the GenTouch 78 Android tablet and GenBook Android netbooks, are now distributing AndAppStore as their chosen Android application directory.”

So any owners of the GenTouch78 (or GenBook) will still be able to get some apps without going crazy trying to find .apk files for download. And while this is good news, I have to say it — the AndAppStore is not the Android Market. Given that, there are going to be apps that you want and you will not be able to find in there. But I suppose something is better than nothing. Otherwise, it was also noted that those users can go ahead and download the AndAppStore client from the help page on the Augen website. Furthermore, any Android user can download the latest the AndAppStore client if they want.