Apple does, but for devices that are clearly different. There is clear differentiation between the iOS app store and the OSX app store. There is also clear differentiation between the iPhone and iPad sections on the app store. The three forms are physically different enough to draw a cognitive line in the sand. I doubt many people who own an iPhone think it's an iPad or own an iPad and think its a Mac.
If Amazon ultimately uses WebOS to get into the phone market, I could see them easily managing two different app stores easily. If they create one set of Android tablets and one set of WebOS tablets, it's going to be a bit trickier. All of this is really going to depend on how apps fair on the new Amazon tablet.
And misses the relevance of the app store for Amazon, who sell slates to sell book content.
It also ignores the most common approach to app stores.
The OS determines which app store one can visit.
I.e. even my mom can't download Macapps to her iPhone.
[Edit]Your argument also assumes that Amazon will not differentiate the tablets which seems contrary to their differentiation between the Fire and Kindle (e.g. touch screen operation means different sorts of apps).
> And misses the relevance of the app store for Amazon, who sell slates to sell book content.
I'm not sure I understand this. There is no issues with selling book content on any flavor of Amazon device, it's all the stuff. The issue is with Apps and having two or three tablet devices, all running different OS's with different app stores.
> The OS determines which app store one can visit.
Sort of. I have both an iPad and iPhone, but rarely use the AppStore built-in to either one, unless I know exactly what app I want to buy. I prefer discovery using iTunes. I'm sure some % of Amazon uses do something similar with the www.amazon.com app store front, though not having an Android device, I'm not entirely familiar with the options available and how they compare to Apple's AppStore.
> I.e. even my mom can't download Macapps to her iPhone.
She can't download them, but she could mistakenly purchase them. I think the separation is clear enough to avoid mistakes between Apple devices. I'm simply arguing that the potential is worse for Amazon should they roll out both Android and WebOS tablets. Again, the issue would only stem from an off-device app store, since an on-device store can obviously filter.
> Your argument also assumes that Amazon will not differentiate the tablets which seems contrary to their differentiation between the Fire and Kindle
The argument is not whether or not they will differentiate, but rather to what extent they will be differentiated. The differences between Fire and Kindle are obvious. The difference between Fire and (WebOS Tablet) is more of the question.
> She can't download them, but she could mistakenly purchase them. I think the separation is clear enough to avoid mistakes between Apple devices. I'm simply arguing that the potential is worse for Amazon should they roll out both Android and WebOS tablets. Again, the issue would only stem from an off-device app store, since an on-device store can obviously filter.
I don't think they'll have 2 OSes but I don't think this is true. Buying an app requires an Amazon account, so they could obviously stop people from buying apps that are not compatible with their device.
Probably if they buy WebOS it will be for the Kindle Fire 2 which won't be for another year, at which point they can transition (slowly) away from Android. Buying WebOS on the cheap might be too good of an idea to pass up on.
If Amazon ultimately uses WebOS to get into the phone market, I could see them easily managing two different app stores easily. If they create one set of Android tablets and one set of WebOS tablets, it's going to be a bit trickier. All of this is really going to depend on how apps fair on the new Amazon tablet.