As predicted, Google has now made it possible for Android app developers to make additional content available for purchase from within their apps. Read on for more.
The Android team announced the launch over on the official Android Developer’s Blog, where it summarises the benefits like so: “In-app Billing gives you more ways to monetize your apps with try-and-buy, virtual goods, upgrades, and other billing models.”
More money for them, more options for you, in other words. The move should also attract a whole host of new app developers who were previously put off by Android Market’s relatively rigid pricing system.
A number of apps on the Android Market are already making use of the in-app purchasing system – the majority of which are games. Tap Tap Revenge from Disney Mobile, Gun Bros, Deer Hunter Challenge HD, and WSOP3 by Glu Mobile and Dungeon Defenders: First Wave Deluxe by Trendy Entertainment all let you purchase content from within.
It’s not all games though – Comics from ComiXology is a natty comic reader app, and it now features in-app billing facilities.
All in all, in-app purchasing is another vital step in Android Market’s slow but steady progress towards acceptability.
YOU SHOULD READ — Google admits Android Market failure
