Amazon's Android Appstore launches in Europe - Angry Birds goes free

The Amazon Appstore - an alternative to the Google Play shop on your Android - is now open for business in Europe.

The idea is that Amazon curates its selection of apps with a bit more care and attention than Google. Also, Amazon's Appstore sometimes enjoys a period of exclusivity with certain apps, like Halfbrick's Jetpack Joyride.

The Amazon Appstore runs a Free App of the Day promotion, too, which offers a paid app for nothin', each and every day. Just like you imagined it would. Today's freebie is the ad-free version of that perennial smartphone favourite Angry Birds.

Want to try out the new marketplace? First up, you need to set your Android device to install apps from outside Google Play. This option is available under 'Applications' in your handset's settings.

Next, head to the Amazon Appstore site and plop your email address in the 'Get Started' bar.

Amazon will shoot you an email. Open it up on your phone and click the link to download the store. Once it's finished downloading, click the icon in your app list to enter the new shop. You'll find your free Angry Birds download waiting on the front page.