• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, September 4, 2009

In advance of the release of the Android-powered HTC Hero from Sprint next month, Google is spiffing up its mobile application storefront. The Android Market's virtual remodeling will allow developers to provide screenshots, icons and more detailed descriptions to better showcase and promote their apps and games.

The upgrade also creates four new subcategories: sports, health, themes and comics. "Developers can now choose these sub-categories for both new and existing applications via the publisher Web site," wrote Google's Eric Chu in a post on the Android Developers blog.

After launching Android Market a year ago with the debut of the first Android phone, T-Mobile's G1, Google has tried to entice developers to create apps to stock its store shelves. Earlier this year, it began to allow developers to offer paid apps.

But Google hasn't come close to threatening the hegemony of Apple's App Store for the iPhone. A study from mobile ad network AdMob last week showed that only 19% of Android users download at least 1 paid app per month, compared to 50% of iPhone users and 40% of iPod touch users. And iPhone and iPod touch apps generate a combined $198 million in sales monthly, while Android Market brings in only $5 million.

With the Android Market renovations, Google is hoping not only to attract more developers, but more customers willing to pay up for apps by giving them a better idea of what they're getting before buying. Expanding the base of customers with the release of the HTC Hero and Motorola's much-hyped Android phone to be announced next week should also lead to more shoppers browsing Android Market.