PhonePe launches app store to take on Google’s Play Store
1 year, 1 month ago

PhonePe launches app store to take on Google’s Play Store

Hindustan Times  

Walmart-backed Indian fintech PhonePe on Wednesday launched its app store for Android called Indus Appstore, becoming the first Indian rival to Google’s Play Store. The company is in conversation with multiple phone manufacturers so that the app store can come pre-loaded on different Android cellphones, founder and PhonePe CEO Sameer Nigam said at the launch event in Delhi. “We are trying to create a highly localised, a highly personalised and efficient platform which is called an app store,” Nigam said. In response to Google’s challenge in the Supreme Court, the apex court had allowed the American tech giant to not pay the fine but had ruled that it must allow third-party app stores on Android.

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History of this topic

Xiaomi’s GetApps to make way for Indus Appstore in India, will come pre-installed on new phones
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Xiaomi’s GetApps to make way for Indus Appstore in India, will come pre-installed on new phones

The Hindu  

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi and PhonePe-owned Indus Appstore on Thursday entered into a multi-year partnership to replace Xiaomi’s app store GetApps with the Indus Appstore on all new Xiaomi smartphones, including Redmi, in India for a more localised digital user experience. With the Indus Appstore on new Xiaomi and Redmi phones, users can discover apps in 12 Indian languages which …

Google set to launch first retail outlets in India, eyes luxury smartphone market
1 month, 1 week ago

Google set to launch first retail outlets in India, eyes luxury smartphone market

Firstpost  

Google is in advanced stages of finalising locations in or around the capital of New Delhi, and the financial capital Mumbai, said three sources, who declined to be named as the process is confidential Alphabet Inc’s Google is close to deciding on locations in its key market of India where it will open its first physical retail stores outside the …

Google set to launch first retail outlets in India, eyes luxury smartphone market
1 month, 1 week ago

Google set to launch first retail outlets in India, eyes luxury smartphone market

Firstpost  

Google is in advanced stages of finalising locations in or around the capital of New Delhi, and the financial capital Mumbai, said three sources, who declined to be named as the process is confidential Google is likely to open stores in India. Image Credit: Reuters Alphabet Inc’s Google is close to deciding on locations in its key market of India …

Google close to picking locations in India for first retail stores outside US: Report
1 month, 1 week ago

Google close to picking locations in India for first retail stores outside US: Report

Live Mint  

Google is close to deciding on locations in India, where it will open its first physical retail stores outside the US. Google to open retail stores in India According to Reuters, stores will likely be around 15,000 square feet and will take at least another six months to open, though the timeline could change. But in 2023, Apple CEO Tim …

Google close to picking sites in India for first retail stores outside US: Report
1 month, 1 week ago

Google close to picking sites in India for first retail stores outside US: Report

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Google is close to deciding on locations in its key market of India where it will open its first physical retail stores outside the United States, three sources familiar with the matter said. Google is in advanced stages of finalising locations in or around the capital of New Delhi, and the financial capital Mumbai, said three sources, who …

36 Banned Chinese apps in India, now available on Google Play Store and App Store
1 month, 2 weeks ago

36 Banned Chinese apps in India, now available on Google Play Store and App Store

India TV News  

Chinese apps make a comeback in India: In 2020, India banned several Chinese apps due to security concerns. Following the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, the Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps, including UC Browser, Shein, and TikTok, citing security risks. Popular apps that have returned Many of the previously banned apps are now available again, either under a new …

GoI asks Apple, Google to add 'GOV.in' app store for official government-approved apps
2 months, 1 week ago

GoI asks Apple, Google to add 'GOV.in' app store for official government-approved apps

Firstpost  

MeitY has asked Google and Apple to allow users in India to download the GOV.in app store directly from platforms like Google Play and Apple’s App Store, and to ensure that new smartphones come with this app suite pre-installed before they are sold If successful, the GOV.in app store could greatly expand access to digital services in India and improve …

Apple Store app arrives in India: What is it and how does it work?
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Apple Store app arrives in India: What is it and how does it work?

Live Mint  

In yet another sign of its increasing focus on India, Apple has launched a dedicated Apple Store app in the country, which will allow users to purchase the Cupertino-based tech giant's various products while getting personalised recommendations. According to Apple, the launch of the Store app will act as a one-stop destination to easily discover the company's latest products, accessories …

Apple Store app launches in India
Top News
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Apple Store app launches in India

The Hindu  

Apple announced on Thursday that its Apple Store app was launching in India, enabling users to shop through the app, get recommendations, customise their gadgets, and communicate with product experts. After downloading the Apple Store app from the app store, users can explore new products, accessories, and services. “At Apple, our customer is at the centre of everything we do, …

Apple Store app launch in India is a precursor to substantial retail expansion
Trending News
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Apple Store app launch in India is a precursor to substantial retail expansion

Hindustan Times  

This year, Apple is expected to double down on its presence in India, and will embark on the next stage of retail expansion in the country. In a move that will potentially set the ball rolling for what is to come in the next few months, the Apple Store app is finally available for users in India. With the Apple …

In 2025, these apps are expected to dominate Indian market
2 months, 4 weeks ago

In 2025, these apps are expected to dominate Indian market

India Today  

Social media, gaming, entertainment, productivity, and e-commerce are likely to be the most popular categories expected to drive mobile app market growth in India in 2025, an analysis of app market intelligence providers. As per market intelligence firm App Magic, Instagram was the most downloaded free app and Free Fire MAX was the highest grossing app on both Apple’s App …

Apple anti-trust case: CCI’s investigation confirms anti-competitive practices in India
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Apple anti-trust case: CCI’s investigation confirms anti-competitive practices in India

Live Mint  

The Competition Commission of India has confirmed anti-competitive practices by Apple Inc. following a probe into the iPhone and iPad maker’s app store practices in the country, two people familiar with the development said. CCI ordered the probe into Apple’s app store practices in December 2021. The infomant’s allegation was that Apple had made it mandatory for application developers to …

India's Competition Commission starts new probe into Google's app store policies following Winzo’s complaint
4 months ago

India's Competition Commission starts new probe into Google's app store policies following Winzo’s complaint

Firstpost  

Winzo’s claims that Google, through its Play Store, imposes unreasonable terms on app developers via its Developer Distribution Agreement and Developer Program Policies. These policies create a one-sided relationship that limit developers’ ability to operate fairly in the market This investigation is not Google’s first brush with India’s competition watchdog. The probe centres around allegations that Google’s app store policies …

Google hires ex-Apple executive Mitul Shah to lead Pixel's sale and expansion efforts in India
Trending News
4 months ago

Google hires ex-Apple executive Mitul Shah to lead Pixel's sale and expansion efforts in India

India Today  

In a strategic move aimed at strengthening its presence in India's premium smartphone market, Google has appointed former Apple India executive Mitul Shah as the Managing Director for its devices and services business in the country. Shah, who previously led consumer sales at Apple India, brings over nine years of experience in the tech industry and is now roped in …

All Xiaomi phones in India to use PhonePe's Indus Appstore from January 2025: Report
4 months, 1 week ago

All Xiaomi phones in India to use PhonePe's Indus Appstore from January 2025: Report

Hindustan Times  

Chinese smartphone and electronics maker Xiaomi will be replacing GetApps, its mobile app marketplace, with the Indus Appstore which is owned by PhonePe-owned, according to a Moneycontrol report. This comes at a time when the homegrown Indus Appstore debuted a new version of its app marketplace with richer visuals and user interface tweaks along with some other changes. The Walmart-backed …

Xiaomi to replace GetApps with PhonePe's Indus Appstore in India, challenging Google Play Store
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Xiaomi to replace GetApps with PhonePe's Indus Appstore in India, challenging Google Play Store

India TV News  

There is exciting news for Xiaomi fans out there. The transition to the Indus Appstore can be interpreted as a strategic initiative by Xiaomi, aimed at improving user experience while simultaneously adhering to the evolving regulatory landscape. The Indus Appstore, which was launched earlier this year, is an Android-based app marketplace designed to provide a more localised and user-friendly experience …

Federal judge orders Google to open its Android app store to competition
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Federal judge orders Google to open its Android app store to competition

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal slams Google for ’arbitrary and monopolistic’ actions harming Indian startups
7 months, 1 week ago

Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal slams Google for ’arbitrary and monopolistic’ actions harming Indian startups

Live Mint  

Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal lashed out at Google on Wednesday, August 21, alleging that the tech giant's 'arbitrary and monopolistic actions' are stifling Indian startups and harming the country's economy. “Another one of countless examples of Google’s arbitrary and monopolistic actions that are impacting Indian startups and our economy’s future irreparably,” Mittal tweeted, tagging the Competition Commission of India, the …

CCI antitrust probe finds Apple abused position in apps market
8 months, 2 weeks ago

CCI antitrust probe finds Apple abused position in apps market

Op India  

Apple engaged “in abusive conduct and practices” to take advantage of its dominating position in the app stores market for its iOS operating system, according to an investigation by India’s antitrust body. Since 2021, Apple Inc. has been under investigation by the Competition Commission of India for potentially abusing its dominating position in the app market by pressuring developers to …

Apple engaged in ‘abusive conduct and practices’: CCI questions iPhone maker's dominance on iOS and App Store
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Apple engaged in ‘abusive conduct and practices’: CCI questions iPhone maker's dominance on iOS and App Store

Live Mint  

The Competition Commission of India has found that Apple exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores on its iOS operating system, engaging in abusive conduct and practices, reported Reuters. An investigation by India's antitrust body has found that Apple exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores on its iOS operating system, engaging "in abusive …

Judge weighs proposed changes to Google’s Android app store to prevent anticompetitive tactics
10 months, 1 week ago

Judge weighs proposed changes to Google’s Android app store to prevent anticompetitive tactics

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Google is tried to confront the latest in a succession of legal attacks on its digital empire on Thursday as federal judge began to address anticompetitive practices in the app market for smartphones powered by its Android software. The San Francisco court hearing before U.S. District Judge James Donato comes five months after a nine-person jury decided …

India plans to curb Google, PhonePe’s dominance in mobile payments: Report
11 months, 2 weeks ago

India plans to curb Google, PhonePe’s dominance in mobile payments: Report

The Hindu  

India’s governing body overseeing the country’s Unified Payments Interface mobile payments system is set to engage with fintech startups to develop a strategy to address the growing market dominance of companies including PhonePe and Google pay in the UPI ecosystem. The National Payments Corporation of India plans to meet executives from companies including CRED, Flipkart, Fampay, and Amazon to discuss …

Indian consumers still falling prey to unlawful loan applications: Report
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Indian consumers still falling prey to unlawful loan applications: Report

India TV News  

One-third of the high-confidence customers have limited knowledge about their digital loans in India. A recent report from the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment shared the insights from a customer survey which was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024 to systematically understand the gaps in users' approaches and knowledge about Digital Lending Applications in India and it further drives …

Competition watchdog orders probe against Google for Playstore pricing policy. What's the issue?
1 year ago

Competition watchdog orders probe against Google for Playstore pricing policy. What's the issue?

Hindustan Times  

The competition regulator ordered an investigation against Google on Friday for suspected anti-competitive practices regarding its pricing policy on the Play Store. Google under scrutiny for alleged discriminatory payment policies on Play Store The Competition Commission of India said that the informants were primarily concerned about Google's revised payment policies related to its proprietary app store, Google Play Store, which …

Setting the rules in disputes over apps
1 year ago

Setting the rules in disputes over apps

Hindustan Times  

Last week, Google delisted the apps of 10 Indian businesses from its proprietary app store. This incident, which saw some apps relisted after mediated discussions, highlights the need for a thoughtful resolution of business disputes in the digital economy, increasingly contested on the notion of “fairness”. The margins-led fight between apps and their distributors has many analogues, such as telecom …

Google reinstates Indian apps, will require payment of dues
1 year ago

Google reinstates Indian apps, will require payment of dues

The Hindu  

Google is reinstating dozens of apps that were delisted by the company on March 1 for resisting the firm’s platform fees on in-app payments, the tech company said in a statement on March 5. “In the spirit of cooperation, we are temporarily reinstating the apps of the developers with appeals pending in the Supreme Court,” a Google spokesperson said, referring …

Start-ups ask antitrust body to order Google to restore apps
1 year ago

Start-ups ask antitrust body to order Google to restore apps

The Hindu  

A group representing Indian startups has asked the country’s antitrust watchdog to order Alphabet Inc’s Google to reinstate apps it removed for policy violations, a letter seen by Reuters shows, escalating a showdown with the U.S. giant in a key market. Google on Friday removed more than 100 Indian apps, including popular ones by Matrimony.com, for not complying with its …

Google Play Store: 8 out of 10 Indian companies return to the platform
1 year ago

Google Play Store: 8 out of 10 Indian companies return to the platform

India TV News  

As the battle between Google and Indian startups intensifies, some apps of 8 out of 10 key homegrown companies who are spearheading the fight with the tech giant are already back on the Google Play Store after they complied with the new policy. Google had delisted more than a dozen apps by major Indian digital companies, including Matrimony and Shaadi.com …

Indian startups caught in crosshairs as Google raises compliance heat
1 year ago

Indian startups caught in crosshairs as Google raises compliance heat

New Indian Express  

India’s tech startups and new-age firms seem to have a compliance problem. The latest Google Play Store episode reveals that some startup promoters believe regulations can be bent and rules broken. Google temporarily removed 10 app developers from its Play Store for not complying with its updated payment policy. Google’s action came after some startups moved the Supreme Court challenging …

Google agrees to restore Indian apps after IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's intervention
1 year ago

Google agrees to restore Indian apps after IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's intervention

Op India  

On Saturday, March 2, Google reversed its earlier decision and agreed to restore the Indian apps removed from the Play Store over a dispute regarding the service fees. This kind of de-listing cannot be permitted.” Earlier, on Friday, Google had removed apps belonging to 10 Indian companies, including well established brands like Bharatmatrimony and Naukri. While removing the apps, the …

Centre stern after Google's action on Indian apps: ‘Delisting can’t be permitted'
1 year ago

Centre stern after Google's action on Indian apps: ‘Delisting can’t be permitted'

Hindustan Times  

Union telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took a strong stance for the Indian startups in the middle of the row with Google, saying that the delisting of the apps from the Google Play Store “is not permitted”. Google has taken down several apps from Play Store in India Google's parent company Alphabet Inc sent a notice to 10 companies for the …

Startups cry foul as Google yanks apps off Play Store for noncompliance
1 year ago

Startups cry foul as Google yanks apps off Play Store for noncompliance

Live Mint  

New Delhi/Bengaluru: On Friday, Google removed 10 popular Indian apps, including Bharat Matrimony, Shaadi.com, and Kuku FM, from its Play Store, and warned several others about possible actions for consistently failing to comply with its billing policies. “Our apps were taken off the Play Store on Friday morning along with a notice and a blog post detailing Google’s policy on …

Info Edge founder bats for ’Indian app store’ after Google action on Indian apps
1 year ago

Info Edge founder bats for ’Indian app store’ after Google action on Indian apps

Live Mint  

Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani on Friday called for the creation of India's mobile application store as a part of its ‘Digital Public Infrastructure’ following tech giant Google India's action against mobile applications of 10 Indian companies. The tech giant took down multiple Indian mobile applications like Bharat Matrimony from Play Store because of a dispute over service fee payments. …

Google crackdown against BharatMatrimony, Jeevansathi: Here's what happened
1 year ago

Google crackdown against BharatMatrimony, Jeevansathi: Here's what happened

Hindustan Times  

Google is currently mulling taking down apps by 10 companies in India, including some of the top matrimony apps in the country. Google is planning to take down multiple Indian matrimony apps Google's parent company Alphabet Inc is expected to commence a showdown with BharatMatrimony and Jeevansathi, two of the most noted matrimony apps in India, over the service fee …

Google India may remove BharatMatrimony, Info Edge and 8 others for non-payment. All you need to know
1 year ago

Google India may remove BharatMatrimony, Info Edge and 8 others for non-payment. All you need to know

Live Mint  

Tech giant Google may remove apps from 10 Indian companies, including popular matrimony apps, amidst a disagreement over service fee payments, Reuters reported citing sources. The move could also potentially escalate tensions with startup firms, it added The dispute revolves around the startups' resistance to Google's imposition of a service fee ranging from 11-26 percent, on in-app payments in India. …

Google mulls removing apps by 10 companies in India for not paying service fee
1 year ago

Google mulls removing apps by 10 companies in India for not paying service fee

Hindustan Times  

Alphabet Inc's Google will enforce action against the apps of 10 companies for not paying a service fee for the usage of its app store platform in India, including potentially de-listing their apps, the tech giant said on Friday. Companies including Walt Disney and Tinder-owner Match have previously sued Google over its policy of imposing a "service fee" of 11%-26% …

Why did Google take action against 10 Indian developers? Here's all you need to know
1 year, 1 month ago

Why did Google take action against 10 Indian developers? Here's all you need to know

India TV News  

Google has announced that it will remove some Indian apps from its Play Store. “After giving these developers more than three years to prepare, including three weeks after the Supreme Court’s order, we are taking necessary steps to ensure our policies are applied consistently across the ecosystem, as we do for any form of policy violation globally,” Google wrote in …

Google starts removing multiple Indian apps from Play Store for not paying service fee
1 year, 1 month ago

Google starts removing multiple Indian apps from Play Store for not paying service fee

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: Google on Friday began removing some apps, including popular matrimony apps, from its Play Store in India over a dispute on service fee payments. While Bharat Matrimony founder Murugavel Janakiraman described the move as "dark day" for the Internet in India, Kuku FM co-founder Vinod Kumar Meena, in a statement, said that Google was behaving like a 'monopoly'. …

Google Play Store's rival Indus Appstore surpasses one lakh downloads in three days of launch
1 year, 1 month ago

Google Play Store's rival Indus Appstore surpasses one lakh downloads in three days of launch

Hindustan Times  

Indus Appstore -- the new Android-based made-in-India app store that is pitted against the might of Google's Play Store -- has surpassed 100,000 downloads in just three days of launch, according to a release on Monday. Indus Appstore -- the new Android-based made-in-India app store that is pitted against the might of Google's Play Store -- has surpassed 100,000 downloads …

PhonePe launches Indus Appstore to rival Google Play Store in India
1 year, 1 month ago

PhonePe launches Indus Appstore to rival Google Play Store in India

Live Mint  

PhonePe, a Walmart Inc. owned fintech, has launched a mobile application store for consumers in India. Dubbing themselves as “game-changer in India’s digital journey”, PhonePe's latest launch comes as a part of their bid to capitalise on growing mobile usage in the world’s second-largest smartphone market. According to the official press statement by PhonePe, Indus Appstore will have more than …

PhonePe's Indus Appstore launched in India, to rival Google Play Store: All you need to know
1 year, 1 month ago

PhonePe's Indus Appstore launched in India, to rival Google Play Store: All you need to know

India TV News  

PhonePe's Indus Appstore launched in India, to rival Google Play Store: All you need to know Indus Appstore is a homegrown app store designed to rival Google Play Store in India. PhonePe has announced the launch of the Indus app store in India today. The Indus Appstore is a homegrown app store that is designed to rival the Google Play …

Supreme Court Issues Notice To Google India On Indian App Developers' Plea Against Play Store Billing Policy
1 year, 1 month ago

Supreme Court Issues Notice To Google India On Indian App Developers' Plea Against Play Store Billing Policy

Live Law  

The Supreme Court on February 2 issued notice on a petition to Google India on petitions filed by filed by tech start-ups challenging Google Play Store's billing policy as exploitative. However, a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justices Manoj Misra and Satish Chandra Sharma refused to immediately stay Google's decision to remove apps from its Play Store over …

Google to pay $700 million in case over whether its app store is an illegal monopoly
1 year, 3 months ago

Google to pay $700 million in case over whether its app store is an illegal monopoly

NPR  

Google to pay $700 million in case over whether its app store is an illegal monopoly Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Chiu/AP Jeff Chiu/AP Google has agreed to pay $700 million and will make changes to its app store it has resisted for years in order to resolve a an antitrust lawsuit brought by state attorneys general, the company …

Google's and Apple's walled gardens will survive Epic’s court win
1 year, 3 months ago

Google's and Apple's walled gardens will survive Epic’s court win

Live Mint  

A San Francisco jury took less than four hours to decide on Monday that Google was running an illegal monopoly designed to exact huge fees from app developers. Epic, which sued both Google parent Alphabet Inc and Apple in 2020, was being kicked out of Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store for attempting to circumvent these app stores’ required …

Google’s App Store Ruled an Illegal Monopoly, as a Jury Sides With Epic Games
55 years, 3 months ago

Google’s App Store Ruled an Illegal Monopoly, as a Jury Sides With Epic Games

Wired  

Epic says in an unsigned blog post that the “verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world. It proves that Google’s app store practices are illegal and they abuse their monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition and reduce innovation.” It called on regulators and legislators to take action to “address Apple and Google strangleholds …

Epic Games wins antitrust lawsuit against Google over barriers to its Android app store
1 year, 3 months ago

Epic Games wins antitrust lawsuit against Google over barriers to its Android app store

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal court jury has decided that Google’s Android app store has been protected by anticompetitive barriers that have damaged smartphone consumers and software developers, dealing a blow to a major pillar of a technology empire. The nine-person jury in the Play Store case apparently saw things through a different lens, even though Google technically allows Android …

Google loses antitrust fight with ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games
1 year, 3 months ago

Google loses antitrust fight with ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games

LA Times  

Braden Dunlap dances with Fortnite’s Tricera Ops, right, and Frozen Red Knight during Comic-Con International’s Preview Night at the San Diego Convention Center in 2019. Google’s mobile app store maintains a monopoly in the market for distribution of programs and payments on its Android software, a federal jury in California has decided, dealing a blow to the technology giant in …

Apple’s App Store may become illegal in China soon after CCP's forces tech cos to submit information
1 year, 6 months ago

Apple’s App Store may become illegal in China soon after CCP's forces tech cos to submit information

Firstpost  

China has asked all tech companies operating in China to submit a whole bunch of documents and information regarding their app stores. Because of this, Apple’s App Store may become illegal China has released its first list of 26 mobile app stores that have provided their business details to regulators, but notably, Apple’s app store is absent from the list. …

BGMI trial by fire is over and it can continue in India, but government will still monitor it every 3 months
1 year, 7 months ago

BGMI trial by fire is over and it can continue in India, but government will still monitor it every 3 months

India Today  

Krafton seems to have received official approval for BGMI from the Indian government to continue its operations in the country, sources familiar with the matter told MoneyControl. But, it is worth highlighting that BGMI's rival - Garena Free Fire - also just got approval to return to India after being suspended for approximately one and a half years. This approval …

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