Android bolsters its app market as device lineup swells

The Android Market has improved its application store with better organization, categories and screenshots.

The news, detailed in the Android Developers Blog, isn't a big deal by itself. But when you consider the armada of Android powered devices coming to market the Android Market improvements are critical.

Simply put, you can't have a bevy of Android devices without a good app store to go with it. Sprint is offering the HTC Hero powered by Android next month. Motorola next week will launch its Android devices, which are designed to save the company. Meanwhile, T-Mobile's myTouch 3G is already on the market.

What's unclear is whether an improved store and an bunch of devices will help Android (all resources) close the iPhone gap. As noted last week, Android has an engaged user base, but the app ecosystem is small.