Google Play Adds Carrier Billing for Apps, Books, Music & Movies

Updated on

Google Play Adds Carrier Billing for Apps, Books, Music & Movies

 

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) wants to make it easier for Android users to purchase content now and pay later. Today, Google Play published a post on their blog announcing that they would allow Android users to apply all Google Play purchases to their monthly cell phone carrier bill.

This expansion includes all types of digital content including mobile applications, games,  music, movies, and books.  Right now this service is available through many phone carriers throughout the world including T-Mobile, AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), Vodafone Group Plc (NASDAQ:VOD), NTT Docomo Inc (NYSE:DCM), Softbank Corp (PINK:SFTBF), and KDDI Corp (TYO:9433). Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) will also join that list soon. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is not the list but (Google will probably add more carriers (including Verizon) in the near future.

This change will make it easier for Android users to purchase apps without giving their credit card information or registering.

Android users will rejoice at the simplicity that this change brings. Now, if only Apple would follow their lead and simplify app purchases by adding them to one monthly bill.

Cell phone and tablet applications are a big market these days.  Companies are always searching for new ways to enhance user experience in addition to continuously creating new apps.

Google Play (which replace Google Music and Android Market)  officially launched earlier two months to provide a one-stop source for digital entertainment. It also features a cloud player. Users can access Google Play on the web, mobile application for Android, and Google TV.

Google Play had over 450,000 mobile applications when it launched in March. They also have over 3 million ebooks, thousands of movies, and over a million songs. Most of the content is free but there’s a large portion of it that is available for free.

Content on demand is king and I think it will continue this pattern for years to come. As I’ve stated before, it is a smart move on Google’s half to allow users to make purchases with more ease.

Leave a Comment