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Google allows alternative payments in apps

Google allows competing payment systems in apps

Google is opening up for developers to include their own payment system in apps. Spotify and Google announced a test saying that users who have downloaded Spotify from the Google Play Store will be presented with a choice to pay with either Spotify’s payment system or with Google Play Billing.

Both Google and Apple have been in lengthy discussions and conflicts around app payments forcing developers to only use the giants’ own payment systems. Critics say this limits competition and create huge revenue streams for the app stores.

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“Android has always been about openness and user choice,” said Sameer Samat, Vice President, Product Management at Google, calling the test “an important milestone for mobile app stores”.

“This is an exciting first step and we look forward to adding new partners and learning how this model could be expanded across the platform.”

For the first time, the two payment options will be shown side by side in the app. This will give everyone the freedom to subscribe and make purchases using the payment option of their choice directly in the Spotify app. Spotify will continue to freely communicate with users about Premium subscription service, promote discounts and promotions, and give listeners the ability to convert to Premium directly in the app, Spotify said in a blog post.

User Choice Billing will be launched later this year and Spotify says the company and Google will together test and learn.

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