Raspberry Pi Opens Online Store For Hungry Users
The life of Pi enters a new phase with the opening of a Raspberry-flavoured app store
The Raspberry Pi Foundation has launched a dedicated app store, in what could be the most important development for its miniature ARM-based Linux computer since it first hit the shelves almost a year ago.
The Pi Store will host games, applications, tools, tutorials and any other content related to Raspberry Pi, and in keeping with the spirit of open source, most of it will be offered free.
The store platform was developed in partnership with independent game marketplace IndieCity and content delivery network specialists Velocix.
The Pi effect
Raspberry Pi, created by the non-profit Raspberry Pi Foundation, is a basic computer that can be connected to a TV or monitor via HDMI. It can be used for many of the things that your desktop PC does, including office work, Internet browsing and high-definition video playback – all possible through a circuit board the size of a credit card, which costs around £25.
At launch, the Pi Store offers 24 free titles, including productivity suite LibreOffice, music app Despotify and open source Civilisation clone Freeciv. The only commercial piece of software, arcade game Storm In A Teacup, is currently priced at £1.99.
Even if the developers choose not to charge for their creations, the ‘tip jar’ mechanism will still enable users to express their gratitude in monetary form. Like any other major app store, the Pi Store features a review and rating system, and even a recommendation engine which is tailored to individual users, depending on the ratings they submit.
The platform will start to offer achievements and leaderboards, especially important for gaming fans, in the near future.
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