Yet another app store, this time for Intel Atom-based netbooks

The app store bubble continued inflating today, with Intel's announcement of the beta of its week-old Atom Developer Program. It's a system which will ultimately create app stores for netbooks running on Intel Atom processors, irrespective of the operating system.

"The netbook has become one of the most popular consumer devices in the market today, but its true potential has been limited by applications that are not optimized for its mobility and smaller screen size," said Renee James, corporate vice president and general manager for Intel's Software and Services Group, during a presentation at IDF today. "The Intel Atom Developer Program provides a great opportunity for developers to create useful and inventive applications that will unlock a netbook's potential while opening a new sales and distribution channel."

This new sales and distribution channel does not exactly exist yet, but developers are invited to sign up and submit their apps (entertainment, games, multimedia, security, travel, personal productivity, utilities, etc.) for approval. Eventually, they will be available in a network of app stores.

"Intel is working with netbook original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other partners to create application storefronts through which validated applications will be sold," the company said today. Partner companies such as Acer, Asus, and Dell are all expected to participate in app store development.

Like the app developer programs by Apple, Microsoft, and Palm, Intel is promising a 70/30 revenue split with developers. Naturally, this won't take effect until the distribution program is publicly launched and apps are available to the public.

As it stands right now, the SDK is not even available yet, but Intel encourages developers to register for the program now, so they should expect an SDK to arrive in late fall.