In a recent revelation during the Epic v. Google trial, it has come to light that music streaming giant Spotify has forged a distinctive and seemingly favorable deal with Google for Android-based payments. Google's head of global partnerships, Don Harrison, testified that Spotify managed to secure a remarkable 0 percent commission when users opted for subscriptions through … [Read more...] about Spotify gets special treatment from Google, exempted from paying Play Store fees
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Google allows Spotify to bill users directly
Google has announced it will be allowing Spotify and Bumble to use their own payment system to bill customers for subscriptions from right within their Android apps CNBC reported. This forms part of Google's new User Choice Billing feature that is aimed at providing users with more payment options when it comes to making in-app purchases. This also makes for a significant … [Read more...] about Google allows Spotify to bill users directly
Google Play Store is putting a priority on tablets with new makeover
Google has already made it known they are getting its act together with its tablet strategy. That includes developing AndroidL which happens to be a version of Android OS specially optimized for operation in a tablet environment. While the company has also teased the Pixel Tablet in between, the company has dropped enough hints of it working on redesigning the Play Store layout … [Read more...] about Google Play Store is putting a priority on tablets with new makeover
Bigme Pocketnote 7 review: The handy e-note device with lots of practicality
The Bigme Pocketnote 7 comes across as a handy little device that is part e-reader and part e-note device. That said, it seems more of the former than the latter though that has much to do with the limited screen real estate that the 7-inch display can provide. This again makes for a rather interesting scenario considering that Bigme traditionally makes e-note devices, and … [Read more...] about Bigme Pocketnote 7 review: The handy e-note device with lots of practicality
Apple and Google announce removal of abandoned and outdated apps
Both Apple and Google have announced plans to remove those apps that have remained unattended on their respective app stores for long, CNET reported. Specifically, both companies have said they are going to remove those apps that have not been updated in the past two years. An estimate by the analyst firm Pixalate has put the number of apps set to be on the chopping block at … [Read more...] about Apple and Google announce removal of abandoned and outdated apps
Google’s new App Install Optimization feature aims for quicker app installations
Towards its objective of making Android apps leaner and meaner than what they already are, Google is set to introduce 'App install optimization' techniques which it claims will speed up the app installation process by several notches. Google though said it is going to be an optional process, and when you opt in, certain usage data is going to be collected to find out which … [Read more...] about Google’s new App Install Optimization feature aims for quicker app installations
Some E-books Are Hacking You
We have learned not to click on links that arrive in emails from people we do not know. We are starting to learn that mobile apps could come with some security risk as well, so we need to exercise a little caution when we choose which titles to install. What comes as more of a surprise, is that e-book you have your eyes on could be infected with malware too. Those of us on the … [Read more...] about Some E-books Are Hacking You
Still Time to Use $6 Play Store Credit for Chromecast Users
Planning a quiet night in for Valentine's Day? Thinking of renting a movie? Save a little of your hard-earned money and get those extra toppings on the pizza you order by using a $6 credit from Google exclusively for Chromecast users. Not a fan of movies? Use the credit to purchase something else from the Play Store (nothing says romance like a few extra bonuses in Candy … [Read more...] about Still Time to Use $6 Play Store Credit for Chromecast Users
Avast Finds Adware In Android Apps with Millions of Downloads
Everybody knows that you have to be careful for malware and adware when installing apps, especially from lesser known sources. Unfortunately, the security firm Avast is now telling us that we are just as vulnerable to these security threats when downloading apps from the Google Play store --even those with millions of downloads. The latest discovery involved a series of … [Read more...] about Avast Finds Adware In Android Apps with Millions of Downloads
Amazon’s Hidden & Functional App Store Gets Them Ousted From Google Play
In September, Amazon updated their Android app such that it was actually a completely functional app store. Flash forward to today, and it appears Google has made Amazon's signature application un-findable using search in the Play Store (though the Amazon direct link does seem to work, for now). There is a new app in its stead (we presume) called Amazon Shopping that looks … [Read more...] about Amazon’s Hidden & Functional App Store Gets Them Ousted From Google Play
Google Lessens Android Appeal, Piracy Apps Gone From Play Store
There isn't an iOS user out there who hasn't been attacked by an Android fanatic. It is unrestricted, they say. It is free, they say. It is so open, they say. It doesn't come with the same strict (and unreasonable) rules that iOS does, they say. As it turns out, rising popularity has changed the game significantly... with an Android device now in novice hands more often than … [Read more...] about Google Lessens Android Appeal, Piracy Apps Gone From Play Store
Google Play Store May Offer Trials for Apps and Games
Despite the fact that all reports indicate Android dominates the smartphone market, being able to brag having an over 80% share, app revenue continues to lag behind Apple (by a shocking average of almost $4 million dollars per day). Understandably, Google would like to do something about that imbalance --especially with such a firm position as Android's biggest cheerleader. … [Read more...] about Google Play Store May Offer Trials for Apps and Games
Google Offers 2-Hour Refund Window for Paid Apps
In the beginning, Google gave users a full 24-hours to regret an app purchase. In 2010, they updated their policy such that users only had 15-minutes to change their minds (which is a little tight, especially if you like to shop on your desktop and have apps downloaded onto your device from there --this method of shopping can add a few extra minutes to complete installation). … [Read more...] about Google Offers 2-Hour Refund Window for Paid Apps
Google Amends App Store Policy to Regulate Quality
Google has come up with a new set of guidelines for developers to follow, all aimed at establishing a safe environment for apps to flourish. As per the new rules introduced in the Google Play Developer Program Policy, developers will have to ensure their apps does not engage in immoral activities or attempt to deceive users with nefarious advertising policies. This will make it … [Read more...] about Google Amends App Store Policy to Regulate Quality