First Look: Paid apps in Indian Android Market

The wait is finally over, Google has put in a payment system in the Android market and it works like a charm. Since, 5th October paid applications are available in the market with the price displayed in Indian denominations.

The revamped Android market features the much-awaited availability of paid applications. Google has put in a credit card payment system for the market. The rumors were that Paypal might be available but that isn't the case so. Paypal integration was a great move by Google, considering the fact that only 2-4% of the Indian population owns a credit card. The major hiccups for Google in revenue generation from India mostly would be that only a depressing amount of people own a credit card and it will take a while for the culture of 'buying apps' to sink-in in India.

When I shared the news of availability of paid apps to fellow Indian Android users, the first question I encountered was, “So, no free apps?” If you happen to have the same query, put your mind at ease, free apps are still available in abundance. The only difference now is that you will be able to be upgrade to a pro version (full) if the application is useful. After a general poll of Android users in India, a broad conclusion that can be drawn is that, most of them may buy a productive application but a gaming application is doubtful. The dearth of any good games is also a possibility for the reasoning of the Indian consumers. The two most expensive games in the market are generic games with less or no excitement after a day’s game play (Homerun Battle and Soccer Superstars).

 

A walk-through buying an application:

One of my favorite applications in the market is Talking Tom, priced at a modest Rs. 50 it is worth every single paisa. Hence, that was my first buy on the market.

 

 

Buying an application is the same as downloading one. The only difference is at the end of the transaction you need to give credit card details to which the application will be billed.

 

 

 

 

Mention the correct phone number, so that problems or queries can taken up with the developer or Google. There have been prior issues with downloads being delayed, so be sure to give the correct details. 



So, surf, sort and start buying!


The most expensive application as of yet in the Android Market:
Wyse PocketCloud (Rs. 665.26)

 

 

The most expensive game as of yet in the Android Market:
Homerun Battle and Soccer Superstars (Rs. 221.46)