Google Play is getting cheaper in some countries. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Google has dropped its minimum prices for apps and in-app purchases through Google Play in 17 countries around the world. The change comes months after the company allowed developers to sell apps for as little as INR10 ($0.15) in India to “make content more accessible.”
Nintendo games will be free, but you’ll pay in some way. Photo: Nintendo
All of the games Nintendo is currently planning for Android and iOS will be free-to-play titles, according to development partner DeNA. That means you won’t have to pay a penny to download them — but they will almost certainly be filled with in-app purchases.
The European Commission has issued some words to Google and Apple about both companies’ steps to ensure children don’t rack up huge amounts of money on in-app purchases without their parents’ permission.
In a statement released by the Commission on Friday, Google is praised for a series of changes that will be put in effect by the end of September — while Apple finds itself on the receiving end of some harsh criticism.
It’s only been a week since Amazon made its in-app purchasing API available to all and already they’ve lifted the $20 cap developers were allowed to charge for an in-app purchase. This comes after Amazon implemented stronger parental controls to prevent children from running up mommy and daddy’s credit card. At least that’s the reason Amazon is giving in an email being sent to developers:
While the majority of app markets have already adopted this digital scheme, Amazon has just today announced the open availability of their in-app purchasing API. The in-app purchasing API will allow developers to offer digital content to its users in the form of microstransactions. Content such as expansion packs, weapon upgrades, etc. become available to purchase from within the app and usually cost less than a dollar. This monetization model has gained much traction as of late and while the majority of developers implement it in a morally acceptable manner, others simply try to nickel-and-dime users by making their apps virtually useless unless you pony up for the additional content.
