Google Apps Marketplace Open For Business
Google Apps is now a platform. Yesterday, Google launched the Google Apps Marketplace. The Marketplace allows developers to build add-on applications to the Google Apps platform. Google Apps provides all the Gmail services to a custom domain for small businesses. For example, if you live your you@mydomain.com email address, but you hate your webmail client, set up Google Apps for free and get the rich, robust Gmail you're used to, but with your same email address.
With the Marketplace, the features don't stop at the standard Gmail feature set. Third party developers can now build their app for integration within Gmail, allowing for easy access, and integration with Contacts, Mail, Calendars, and all the rest Gmail has to offer.
Developers will pay a $100/year rate to be in the program and will share 20% of revenue with Google. That's actually a better deal that Apple offers for the iPhone platform. Users can browse the marketplace, search, and refine results. Once they find an app they want, the Admin of the Apps domain can pay for it, and add it to their services. Once installed, the app can ask for permission to access your Google data, which you can then grant or prevent.
The Marketplace is launching with about 50 partners including Aviary, Zoho, dimdim, Intuit, TripIt, and more. The Marketplace is live right now, so Google Apps users, go check it out, and let us know what you think in the comments!
Google's demo video embedded after the jump!
developer, gmail, google apps, marketplace, small business 
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