in-app purchases
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Google expands its test of Play Store billing alternatives to the US
Google is expanding its Play Store billing alternative test to the US, and Bumble is one of the new partners.
Apple makes it easier to report bad apps and scams
Following reports that revealed that a significant percentage of top App Store apps were scams, Apple is allowing users to report such behavior.
Apple emails reveal how it tried to stop Netflix from pulling in-app iOS purchases
Before Netflix dropped in-app purchases on the iOS Store, Apple really tried to convince them to keep the option, according to internal emails.
Google will cut Play Store fees for the majority of Android developers
Starting on July 1st, Google will lower its Play Store commission fee to 15 percent on the first million $1 million developers earn from its marketplace every year.
Android 12 will make it easier to install apps from third-party stores
Google said it will share more details on how it plans to make it easier to install apps from third-party stores in the future.
Apple won’t collect fees on paid Facebook events until 2021
Apple won't charge its 30 percent commission on paid Facebook events through December 31st.
Apple calls Epic lawsuit a 'campaign to reinvigorate interest in Fortnite'
Apple says Epic 'started a fire, and poured gasoline on it.'
Apple's App Store appeals process is now open for developers
Developers can now suggest changes to Apple's App Store guidelines.
Disney+ will allow in-app 'Mulan' purchases via Apple, Google and Roku
Disney+ 'premium access' for 'Mulan' will be available September 4th for $30, and in addition to Disney's website, subscribers can buy via iOS, Android and Roku devices.
Epic Games offers ‘Fortnite’ discounts if you bypass Android and iOS app stores
Epic Games is offering 'Fortnite' discounts for players who make in-app purchases outside of the App Store and Google Play Store.
Hey email app open to all after Apple 'definitively' approves it
After flip flopping on whether it would approve Basecamp’s Hey email app, Apple has “definitively approved” Hey for the App Store.
Apple re-approves Hey email app after last week’s standoff
Apple changes its stance and approves Basecamp's Hey iOS app.
The IRS won't ask you to report 'Fortnite' V-Bucks on tax returns
Don't worry, you won't have to factor in-game currency into your taxes... at least, not yet. The IRS has removed a guideline (cached here) from October that treated Fortnite's V-Bucks, Roblox's Robux and other in-game currencies with real monetary value as "convertible" currency that could be subject to federal taxes. In a follow-up, IRS Chief Counsel Michael Desmond confirmed to CNN Business that including in-game money was an error. The updated section now focuses on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, so you can likely rest easy if you received a V-Bucks gift card last year.
Denver Uber users can buy public transit tickets in the app
Uber customers in Denver can now use the app to purchase transit tickets. This makes Denver the first city in the world to get the added capability, but it won't be the last. It's all part of Uber's goal to make the platform a one-stop shop for transportation needs, from carsharing to bikesharing, busses and more.
Google targets ads at gamers who don’t make in-app purchases
If you're one of the few mobile gamers who actually spend money on in-app purchases, you might begin to see fewer ads. While developers make most of their money with advertising, in some cases, ads hurt in-app purchases by disrupting the gameplay of cash-flush gamers. Now, Google is using machine learning to only show ads to players who aren't likely to spend money on in-game purchases. This will spare big spenders the interruption.
Monument Valley gets eight new levels on iOS today
Pretty puzzler Monument Valley received a new set of levels today called Forgotten Shores. The pack is available as a $1.99 in-app purchase for iOS, opening up eight additional levels for players to solve. The new levels slot between the game's original final two acts, operating as a "director's cut" of sorts, executive producer Dan Gray told Wired. Forgotten Shores explores a few new gameplay ideas that developer Ustwo didn't fit into the original 10 levels, resulting in more steps to complete the latest puzzles. As designer David Fernández Huerta put it, the developer is "asking the player to think ahead a bit more" in Forgotten Shores. Gray also noted that Monument Valley recently celebrated 1.4 million downloads since its April launch, a steady climb since it hit one million downloads in July. As for Android players, the Forgotten Shores update will be available "very soon," Ustwo noted on Twitter. [Image: Ustwo Games]
Google to refund at least $19 million over in-app purchases
If we were to face a complaint filed with the Federal Trade Commission, having a bunch of irritated parents on the other end of things is pretty low on our list of ideal situations. We're thinking Google feels the same way, now that they've agreed to pay a minimum of $19 million in refunds over purchases made without the account holder's explicit consent. The trouble stems from children making purchases through their parents' accounts without permission, which presumably led to some spirited child-and-parent talks over monthly credit card statements. According to the FTC's release concerning Google's settlement, the tech giant has also agreed to modify its billing strategy to "ensure that it obtains express, informed consent from consumers before charging them for items sold in mobile apps." Hopefully these changes will soon allow parents to deploy phones and tablets for much-needed sanity breaks without paying a premium. Then again, gardens aren't going to just grow their own zombie defense budget ... [Image: Google]
Google settles with the government for $19 million over in-app purchases
Don't think that Apple and Amazon are the only ones currently in the FTC's crosshairs over their in-app purchasing policies. But while Jeff Bezos and company are fighting tooth and nail, Google has decided simply settle with the government and offer refunds to parents whose children went a little overboard with the in-app purchases. Mountain View will issue full refunds to those who were charged for unauthorized purchases made by their kids. That will mean a minimum of $19 million dollars is being returned to angry consumers, though that's mere pocket change for the internet giant. That's also significantly less than the $32.5 million Apple settled for, though it remains to be seen how much Amazon will be hit for if it fails to fend off the FTC's lawsuit.
Google won't call games with in-app purchases 'free' anymore
In an era where video games can be sold as "free-to-pay" and/or "freemium" products, it's important to know what "free" really means. A "free" game might actually cost you nothing and generate revenue purely through in-game advertising, or it might be free to download, but in-game purchases can set you back quite the hefty sum. As they say, freedom isn't free. Thankfully, Google is here to help clarify the distinction. Engadget reports that after the European Commission requested Google change the way it markets the apps shown on digital storefronts such as its Google Play market, the company responded that it would take several initiatives to keep consumers informed, including no longer allowing apps with in-app purchases to label themselves as "free." Google said it would also implement guidelines for games and developers so that children would not be encouraged to buy items once in-game. Kind of makes you long for the days when kids would sneak some cash out of the parental stash to buy a phosphate from the drug store soda jerk, huh? [Image: Google]
Europe wants better safeguards on in-app iOS purchases
It appears the European Commission isn't thrilled with Apple's slow movement to provide more safeguards from accidental in-app purchases made on its devices. The administration issued a press release today discussing joint action from the firm and member states to enforce better protection for consumers in regards to incidental purchases, praising Google's proposed solutions to the issue. "Although, regrettably, no concrete and immediate solutions have been made by Apple to date to address the concerns linked in particular to payment authorisation," the European Commission wrote, noting that Apple said it will address the issues in due time, though it did not provide a time-frame for the changes. An Apple spokesman told Reuters that "over the last year we made sure any app which enables customers to make in-app purchases is clearly marked," and that it will "continue to work with the EC member states to respond to their concerns."
