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  Business   Google steps up effort for Playstore business

Google steps up effort for Playstore business

REUTERS
Published : Nov 4, 2016, 2:09 am IST
Updated : Nov 4, 2016, 2:09 am IST

Alphabet Inc’s Google is redoubling efforts to help developers of Android apps build their businesses as concerns mount that the app economy has reached saturation.

04PLAYSTORE.jpg
 04PLAYSTORE.jpg

Alphabet Inc’s Google is redoubling efforts to help developers of Android apps build their businesses as concerns mount that the app economy has reached saturation.

Under the leadership of Sameer Samat, who rejoined Google earlier this year after a spell as president of wearable tech firm Jawbone, the company is sharpening Google Play store recommendations with artificial intelligence and expanding support for various payment platforms, among other initiatives.

Google’s efforts in some way mirror those of archrival Apple Inc, which revamped its App Store this year with quicker review times for new apps and an increase in the cut of revenue that goes to developers.

Both companies face a chorus of complaints from developers who say they are struggling to stand out in a jam-packed field.

Many smartphone users, meanwhile, appear to have become tired of downloading apps altogether, especially as messaging services like Snapchat perform more of the functions that required a separate app.

Games remain a focus of the Google Play store, and Nintendo Co Ltd is building a version of its popular Super Mario Run game for Android, said Mr Samat, who leads product management for the Google Play store.

The store is also expanding to new platforms, including wearable devices, virtual reality headsets and Google’s Chromebook laptops.

“What we are excited about is giving developers that single entry point for more and more of the computing ecosystem,” said Samat.

Google has eased the once-complicated process of developing apps for the Play store, said James Knight, a former Google employee who launched Pembroke, a consultancy that helps developers convert Apple-compatible iOS apps to the Android operating system.

“The App Store has historically been a little more straightforward, and Android has been a bit more like the Wild West,” he said.

Mirroring the larger smartphone market, the Play store sees far more activity by virtue of its placement on the wide range of devices running the Android OS — but Apple claims more of the profits.

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