Live data from Hacker News

Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

plus.google.com

81–90 of 274 posts

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> No, you're fucking not working hard, you added the last ones a year and a half ago. I'm not even a Google fanboy, but what do you know about the challenges that Google might be facing? It's a really strong accusation to say that a company is not working hard just because you can't have exactly what you want. Last I checked, neither Google nor Apple make guarantees about how much of a living a developer is going to…

> I'm not even a Google fanboy, but what do you know about the challenges that Google might be facing? It's a really strong accusation to say that a company is not working hard just because you can't have exactly what you want. This argument works only because companies like Google prefer no communication with their user/developer base. If they took the time and posted a short note explaining which challenges Google…

>If they took the time and posted a short note explaining which challenges Google faces in a specific country, this discussion would not take place.

If only Google had some kind of social media website or something where they could communicate en masse to their developers, like Orkut, but updated. Or even a website that could host a blog, like Blogger. If only...

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The point is, that the developer can't use the Payment Processor on the Market, because Google will not allow him to use it (he is from the "wrong country").

Shouldn't the developer have known this through reading the rules of the store BEFORE he/she developer the app? If you can't be bothered to do due diligence before making such a big business decision you aren't equipped to run a business.

Oh come on, Developer wants to build Android app, developer builds Android app, developer puts faith in Google that Google will make it possible for app to get paid.

This is exactly the process Google implicitly wants to have happen, its what we all want to have happen. Google just fumbled

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#83

At least when you deal with Apple they don't dress it up, they make it abundantly clear that they'll shaft you if you try and step around the rules, Google danced around it with the rally cry of 'open!' a lot more.

Android does allow alternate app markets to be installed or applications to be installed directly. You would never get the reach of the PlayStore, but still this would offer a way around this.

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#84
post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was more thinking along the lines of making a web app instead of a native app; IMO Google's implication is that, if you're not doing business in one of the supported countries, you're not allowed to conduct commercial transactions through your app. I'm guessing that this is more a legal issue than anything else (not to mention the developer getting around the kickback Google should be getting); I can imagine it suc…

Each one of those ton of things have been solved by Apple, Samsung and BlackBerry in many of the countries Google doesn't support. They can copy what any one of these 3 did if they really wanted to help developers.

Can they? What if the process is patented?

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#85

I know Google's policy on this, but I completely understand where the developer is coming from. Google has been taking a collective shit on every developer out of its list of seller countries[0], which is ridiculously short and hasn't been expanded in god knows how long, and even then, there were only a handful of countries added. On Google's page about seller countries they say: "We're working hard to add more count…

> No, you're fucking not working hard, you added the last ones a year and a half ago. I'm not even a Google fanboy, but what do you know about the challenges that Google might be facing? It's a really strong accusation to say that a company is not working hard just because you can't have exactly what you want. Last I checked, neither Google nor Apple make guarantees about how much of a living a developer is going to…

Considering Apple allows developers from all countries supported by itunes to sell their apps in the App Store, I too keep wondering if Google is actually working to add more countries to their developer program.

There are many app developers from my country (Indonesia) that sell apps in Apple App Store, but none of them can sell their apps in Google Play store.

IOS marketshare in Indonesia is less than 3%, while Android's marketshare is more than 40% [source](http://www.ibtimes.com/android-vs-ios-whats-most-popular-mob...). Also, Indonesia has 285.0m mobile subscriptions (US 345.2m subscriptions). On the other hand, Brazil (268.4m subscriptions) is already in the list of supported nations for publishing paid app. [source](http://mobithinking.com/mobile-marketing-tools/latest-mobile...). Yes, Indonesia's GDP per capita is really low, but so is India. Yet, India is in the list too.

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you sure about that? Are the debit cards issued by Visa or Mastercard? Where I'm (EU), both Apple and Google do accept debit cards.

Where I am (EU) Google does not, last time I checked. Debit Card from Visa or Mastercard? Why.. would you do that? The debit card I know (and I assume that's what the GP talks about) is from your bank. Works fine everywhere in the EU, breaks for crappy online services/US centric payment solutions. Heck, Paypal uses my account just fine and doesn't require a CC.

"Credit cards" are also issued by banks. Visa and Mastercard are just brands and payment networks, not financial institutions themselves.

For a long time now (better part of 20 years?) US banks have commonly issued debit cards that can also be used as if they were Visa- or Mastercard-branded credit cards. They come out of the same number space and have little Visa or Mastercard logos on them. The transactions pass through the same networks using the same infrastructure, it's just that when they land at your bank, the number being adjusted is the balance on your checking account, rather than the balance on a revolving line of credit.

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where I am (EU) Google does not, last time I checked. Debit Card from Visa or Mastercard? Why.. would you do that? The debit card I know (and I assume that's what the GP talks about) is from your bank. Works fine everywhere in the EU, breaks for crappy online services/US centric payment solutions. Heck, Paypal uses my account just fine and doesn't require a CC.

Google accepts my UK debit card, and I've never had problems using it online. > Debit Card from Visa or Mastercard? Why.. would you do that? What do you mean? The bank-issued debit cards you are talking about may also be Visa or Mastercard debit cards.

Hmm.. Interesting. After years of having a 'Maestro' supported card I learned _now_ that this is handled by Mastercard. But .. usually that's still not accepted online.

My latest card (got it for 2 month or so) lists VPay (aka Visa) now. That said, before I got the card I haven't seen VPay anywhere, at all - and I still don't know why I'd want that, if I care and if THAT now works online, in a decent way.

So I guess all my cards so far were technically Mastercard backed - but still utterly useless online.

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#88
And people claim the world is flat. It is not for us that need to jump through hoops just to be on the same 'playing level' with our compatriots overseas.

As a Nigerian, you cannot dare build any SaaS application because gateways that support recurring billing do not support Nigeria (and of course many other countries)

Basically, the fellow with this problem cannot build an Angry Birds without moving countries or jumping through hoops.

This kind of stuff makes me really mad. As an entrepreneur, you just have to keep fighting the obstacles and solve your problems.

For my new project, we have had to register a company in the US just so we can use Stripe. We still have more hoops to jump before we are ready to collect money.

If I were competing with some other folk, he would be already one moth ahead without having to spend a lot of money and time.

It's really fucked up.

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am from India and credit cards are still not that mainstream here. And it is same situation. Everyone has a debit card but Apple and Google both refuse to accept them for their stores (last time I checked, same with Windows Phone, though Microsoft at least accepts them for Windows, Office and Skydrive stuff!)

Are you sure about that? Are the debit cards issued by Visa or Mastercard? Where I'm (EU), both Apple and Google do accept debit cards.

Same here. My VISA (DEBIT) works for iOS purchases. I've used it on different European stores and on the US store too (long ago though).

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> No, you're fucking not working hard, you added the last ones a year and a half ago. I'm not even a Google fanboy, but what do you know about the challenges that Google might be facing? It's a really strong accusation to say that a company is not working hard just because you can't have exactly what you want. Last I checked, neither Google nor Apple make guarantees about how much of a living a developer is going to…

> I'm not even a Google fanboy, but what do you know about the challenges that Google might be facing? It's a really strong accusation to say that a company is not working hard just because you can't have exactly what you want. This argument works only because companies like Google prefer no communication with their user/developer base. If they took the time and posted a short note explaining which challenges Google…

It's a lose-lose situation for Google to do such a thing. They're not making an argument; they're making policy. I'm under the impression that the policy isn't up for discussion, in which case it's wise for Google not to pay people to reiterate what we already know.
Post reply on HN