Google Play changed how people access the Android market alongside every other Google app. In that spirit, Google has created new sales reports for app publishers. It should give publishers the tools they need to serve themselves and their customers.
Google Play, and Google Wallet by extension, allows refunds to be given to buyers within 15 minutes of the initial transaction. The new sales report now allows publishers to see the amount of sales and refunds on their accounts. This information is collected in an estimated sales report that is updated within two days of the transaction, depending on the timezone of the account that made the purchase.
The estimated sales report is archived at the end of each month. At this time, publishers may view their monthly payout cycle. A new estimated sales report is created at the beginning of each month.
Archived estimated sales reports will be available in the “merchant reports” section of the developer console. They will be downloadable CSV files, the same format monthly payout reports come in.
All the information contained within the estimated sales report is the same as the monthly payout report except for final payment details. Google says this will make it easier to reconcile recorded sales versus the actual payout amount. You will be able to view estimated sales data from February 1, 2012.
As a final note, “merchant sales reports” has been renamed to “monthly payout reports.” It’s a small change, but one that Google says better reflects the content of the report.
When it comes to apps in either the Android MarketGoogle Play store or Apple’s Appstore, developers have always walked a fine line when it comes to products that contain sexual content. Apps that contain porn or other explicit materials have been routinely banned from Apple’s Appstore and (to a lesser degree) the Android Market.
Now, an app that many would say truly embodies the phrase “walking a fine line” has been banned from Google Play. Developer Andrew Shu took to reddit and then Google+ to express his shock that his app, Reddit is Fun, was removed from the store:
Wow. I wasn’t expecting this. I got 2 emails from the Google Play Store telling me my apps, reddit is fun lite and pro, have been banned for sexually explicit material.
I’m not sure how to go about appealing this. After all it’s true that reddit content includes NSFW content. Not sure exactly why my app was singled out and the other reddit apps weren’t, though.
Any thoughts? Should I even bother appealing? As always I appreciate your input, /r/android. Thanks.
EDIT: I posted on Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/108576990588738594191/posts/8LfJmKX48R2 maybe it would help to gain awareness through that avenue? Thanks for all your support, guys.
There are a lot of questions that immediately come to mind here. First, the one Shu pointed out himself. Why was his app singled out? BaconReader and redditmag are still there, for instance.
One reddit commenter seems to think that it’s simply an issue of some NSFW subreddits now being listed as default with the new version of the app:
I think it’s because with the new build you have gonewild and the likes in the subreddit list. Perhaps ask if you can have a NSFW toggle in the settings or just exclude the main nsfw subreddits in the list. I dont think its a big deal cause obviously you aren’t going to include all subreddits anyway.
If so, that would probably be an easy fix. The other angle on this is why would a reddit app be banned in the first place, even for containing NSFW subreddits by default?
The Google Play Business and Program Policy clearly states that…
We don’t allow content that contains nudity, graphic sex acts, or sexually explicit material. We also don’t allow content that drives traffic to commercial pornography sites.
Google has a zero-tolerance policy against child pornography. If we become aware of content with child pornography, we will report it to the appropriate authorities and delete the Google Accounts of those involved with the distribution.
But as Android Police points out, the Google Play page for App Content ratings clearly includes a subset for “high-maturity” apps, which says:
Applications in this category may focus on or include frequent instances of sexual and suggestive content; graphic violence; social features; simulated gambling; and strong alcohol, tobacco and drug references. Applications may collect user location data for the purpose of sharing or publishing with the user’s consent.
Plus, reddit walks that fine line, but at its core it is simply a place to find NSFW content. So is an browser, or app that functions as a search engine. It’s not like reddit apps are the only ones that you can use to find pornographic content.
Earlier this month, ahead of Google’s launch of Google Play (which is essentially a rebranding of Android Market, Google Music and the Google eBookstore) Google purchased 18 domain names related to the Google Play brand. At the time, there was speculation that Google Play could be the name of a forthcoming Google tablet, but then Google hit us with a dose of reality.
Strangely, missing from that list is simply googleplay.com. That’s because the domain is owned by someone else, and Google has now filed a complaint over it, according to a report from Fusible (who first reported on the above list as well).
The report cites WhoIs records indicating the domain is owned by a resident of Japan. If you actually go to GooglePlay.com, it says at the bottom: “Copyright c 2012 GMO Internet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.”
GMO Internet Inc. is based in Tokyo, and describes itself as “a leading force in the Internet industry offering one of the most comprehensive ranges of Internet services worldwide.”
Such services, according to its website, include web infrastructure, e-commerce, Internet media and Internet securities.
Google filed its report with the National Arbitration Forum Panel, which will reportedly decide if it meets specific requirements with ICANN.
Google Wallet is a pretty nifty service. I use it for app purchases on my Android, but I can understand why consumers and developers alike would want to avoid using it. It seems that Google isn’t giving them a choice anymore.
Reuters obtained an email sent from Google to Android app developers that essentially said they had to start using Google Wallet for in-app purchases or get delisted from the Android Market, I mean, Google Play. This would put the Android operating system on par with iOS and its universal use of iTunes for all purchases on the platform.
The use of Google Wallet does have its drawbacks, however, especially for developers. Google takes a 30 percent cut of any purchases made through Google Wallet. The hope, according to developers, is that more purchases will now be made which will offset the increased cost to them.
We reached out to Google for comment but have yet to hear back.
This news follows on the this week’s announcement that the Android Market is now being integrated into Google Play alongside the company’s other services. This makes Android explicitly more of a Google product and app developers having to use Google Wallet for purchases only makes sense.
Of course, Google Wallet isn’t only used for app purchases. It’s supposed to be the future of buying anything digital or retail – period. Rival services have been popping up recently, however, like PayPal’s efforts at The Home Depot or the recently announced collective of department stores using their own tech.
This is just pure speculation here, but Google Wallet may only have Android to fall back on if any of these other services take hold. Google is no stranger to failure, but Google Wallet is one of those services that nobody, especially Google, wants to see fail. With it being forced onto Google Play developers and users, it gives Google Wallet the same amount of importance as iTunes. While not as impressive as being the service to herald in the next generation of payment systems, owning its own little corner of the digital retail landscape is proof enough of its success.
What do you think? Is Google within their right to force app developers to adopt Google Wallet? Or should it be left open to whatever they want to use? Let us know in the comments.
The help page for Google Play has recently included empty sections for “Audio Books” and “Magazines and Journals,” which leads to speculation that these items might be added to the Google Play Store soon.
Google Play basically combines the present content offerings of Android Market, Google Books and Google Music, and puts all of it under a single banner. The upgrade occurs automatically, with Google stating, “if your device can be updated, the Android Market app will automatically update to the Google Play Store app.” An addition of audiobook downloads and magazine subscription support would be a good thing for Google Play, to become a more complete competitor of Apple’s iTunes.
Google also recently secured the unregistered domain names googleplaymagazines.com, googleplaynewspapers.com, googleplaynewsstand.com, googleplaytv.com, along with other variations, further suggestions their plans for Google Play.
Android users can obviously get audiobooks from places like Audible, and magazines can be had through Zinio, but Google Play seeks to streamline all of the present content available on all of Google’s services to date.
Google announced Google Play today. This is Google’s new app/music/video/book store, which is replacing Android Market, Google Music and the Google eBookstore.
Google kicked off a big sale to celebrate the launch, called 7 Days to Play, in which Googl eis offering a different album, book, video rental and Android app at a special price each day for the next week. Google Director of Digital Content Jamie Rosenberg writes on the Google Blog:
In the U.S., today’s titles include the collection of top 40 hits Now That’s What I Call Music 41, the popular game Where’s My Water, the novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and the movie Puncture for just 25 cents each. In addition, you’ll find great collections of hip-hop, rock and country albums for $3.99 all week, detective novels from $2.99, some of our editorial team’s favorite movies from 99 cents, and our favorite apps from 49 cents.
Google’s already sending around an email campaign for the sale:
Did you hear? Google is combining all of their media services like Google Music, Android Market and Google Books into one giant service called Google Play.
People are surely going to debate the change over the coming days on whether or not this was a good move. Good thing Twitter is here to give us the gut reaction.
@BillyMoses Billy Moses.Really stoked about Google Play being released today. It’s Google’s equivalent to iTunes. I love that it’s web based and not an application.1 minute ago via web · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@ajeshh Ajesh ShahThere was a time when I was excited whenever Google launched a new beta or product. Somehow that magic has gone away. meh Google Play meh4 minutes ago via web · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@skiller ConstantinEhrensteinNot entirely sure about the rebranding of Android Market in Google Play. One of its advantages was that it *wasn’t* entirely tied to Google.4 minutes ago via TweetDeck · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
Google has also released some new badges for developers that they can display to promote their apps. There are two badges, both available in two sizes: large: 60 x 172 and Small: 45 x 129.
Here are some guidelines Google provides for the badges:
Never separate the phrase “Get it on Google Play” or “Android App on Google Play” from the Google Play logo, and do not change the color, proportions, spacing or any other aspect of the logo.
When used online, the badge logo should be used to direct users to:
A list of products that include your company name, for example, http://play.google.com/store/search?q=yourCompanyName
A list of products published by you, for example, http://play.google.com/store/search?q=publisherName
A specific app product details page within Google Play, for example, http://play.google.com/store/details?id=packageName
When used alongside logos for other application marketplaces, the Google Play logo should be of equal or greater size
Google also has a badge generator tool here. This can be used to generate a “Get it on Google Play” or “Android App on Google Play” button that you can use on your site. You can input either your app’s package name or publisher name, and the button will take users to Google Play to either view your app’s info or view a list of your published apps. If it’s clicked while on an Android device, the Google Play app will show your apps.
Don’t expect to start using Android apps on your iPhone or iPad, but users of such devices can still take advantage of Google Play to some extent. Google had the following to say in its help center:
Google Play is available on any computer with a modern browser at play.google.com. On the web, you can browse and buy books, movies and music. You can read books on the Google Play web reader, listen to music on your computer or watch movies online. Your digital content is all stored in the cloud, so you can access from anywhere using your Google Account.
We’ve also created ways to experience your music and books on other platforms such as the Google Books iOS app.
There is also a Google Music app for iOS, so I assume that will update to Google Play as well. Google Music on the web has already updated.
You can go to play.google.com on your iOS device, and you can try to download an Android app, but it will just tel you it doesn’t have an Android device associated with the account. That is assuming you don’t have a separate Android device associated.
If you have an Android device, you may be wondering how to update it. To answer your question, it will update automatically.
“If your device can be updated, the Android Market app will automatically update to the Google Play Store app,” Google says in a help center article. “Once you have it, the Google Play Store app automatically updates itself when new versions become available. This is a silent update, which means you will not see a notification and will not be prompted to update.”
The update will be rolling out over the coming days. Videos, books and music apps (in countries where they are available) will be upgraded to Google Play Movies, Google Play Books and Google Play Music apps.
“The music, movies, books and apps you’ve purchased will continue to be available to you through Google Play,” Google’s Director of Digital Content, Jamie Rosenberg, assures users. “Simply log in with your Google account like always.
On your device, the Android Market app icon will change to the Google Play Store icon. I’ve already heard some early criticism of the logo, but I imagine everyone will get used to.
For the movies, books and music apps, Google says you’ll begin to see Play versions of these, such as “Play Music,” and “Play Movies.”
Google is combining the Android Market, Google Music and the Google eBookstore into one product called Google Play, which appears to be Google’s answer to the iTunes store.
The company says it will be upgrading the Android Market app on Android devices to the Google Play Store app over the coming days.
“Your videos, books and music apps (in countries where they are available) will also be upgraded to Google Play Movies, Google Play Books and Google Play Music apps,” explains Google Director of Digital Content Jamie Rosenberg. “The music, movies, books and apps you’ve purchased will continue to be available to you through Google Play—simply log in with your Google account like always.”
“In the U.S., music, movies, books and Android apps are available in Google Play,” says Rosenberg. “In Canada and the U.K., we’ll offer movies, books and Android apps; in Australia, books and apps; and in Japan, movies and apps. Everywhere else, Google Play will be the new home for Android apps. Our long-term goal is to roll out as many different types of content as possible to people around the world, and we’ll keep adding new content to keep it fresh.”
One major element of all of this is that this will heavily brand Android devices with the Google name, which hasn’t always been the case. If Android Market is Google Play, then users will know for certain that they’re dealing with Google. This kind of goes hand in hand with Google’s continued consolidation of its numerous products into a more unified brand. This has been reflected with the increased Google+ integration into Google products, and the new privacy policy that went into effect the other day.
“We believe that with a strong brand, compelling offerings, and a seamless purchasing and consumption experience, Google Play will drive more traffic and revenue to the entire ecosystem,” says Google’s Kenneth Lui on the Android Developers blog. “We’ll be investing in the brand to bring Google Play to as many people as possible, and we’ll also invest in the latest digital content to keep Google Play fresh, relevant, and engaging. Apps and games remain the core of Google Play, so we’ll continue investing in new ways to connect users with their favorite apps, and developers with new customers.”
“Google Play is built on the same infrastructure as Android Market, so the transition for users and developers will be seamless,” he adds. “Users can sign into their existing accounts with the same credentials as before and purchase content using the same payment methods. As a developer, there’s no change needed to your published products and you can continue to use the same publishing tools to put your app in front of hundreds of millions of Android users. If your app was in Android Market yesterday, it’s in Google Play today.”
Google Play stores up to 20,000 songs for free (which was already the case with Google Music).
Google is offering a different album, book, video rental and Anroid app at a discount each day for the next week to promote Google Play in what Google is calling the “7 Days to Play” sale.
Last month we reported on a rumor that Google might be preparing the next version of their Android operating system for a launch in the second quarter of 2012. The update, Android 5.0 Jelly Bean, would increase Android’s tablet optimization and maybe even allow dual-booting of Android and Google’s other operating system, Chrome OS, on tablets.
Now it looks like we have some confirmation of those rumors. According to a recent report in TechRadar, the Corporate Vice President of Asus, Benson Lin, has confirmed that Android 5.0 will be called Jelly Bean. Thanks to Asus’ close relationship with Google, Lin said that he expected Asus devices to “be the first wave to offer the Jelly Bean update.”
Unfortunately, Lin did not confirm any of the details of the new OS. Better tablet optimization is likely, especially in light of the fact that Google appears to be working on their own Google-branded tablet. This tablet, likely to be called the Google Play, appears to be set for a late second or early third quarter release. That time frame matches the rumors of the Jelly Bean launch, so it’s a decent bet that the Google Play will run Jelly Bean out of the box.
Everything’s still very much up in the air at this point, since nothing has officially been announced by Google. Stay tuned for more as it becomes available.
A recent spate of domain name purchases appears to confirm that Google does have a new Google-branded tablet in the works. What’s more, the domain names may even tell us the name of the new tablet: Google Play.
According to a report posted early this morning on Fusible, Google has purchased eighteen domain names all related to the word “Play” and most containing the phrase “Google Play.” The domains were purchased through MarkMonitor, a company devoted to “protecting brands in the digital world.” Many companies – Google included – use MarkMonitor to prevent squatters from taking domains related to the names of their products. The full list of domains is below:
At the moment none of the domains actually go anywhere. As the Google Play nears release, it’s a safe bet that they’ll redirect to Google’s official site for the device (just as ipod.com and iphone.com take you to Apple’s site for those devices).
While it’s possible that “Google Play” is something other than the rumored tablet, the timing is a little too convenient for that. Last year Eric Schmidt announced that Google was working on their own tablet, to be released within six months (i.e., by May or June of 2012). Last week industry analyst Richard Shim said that Google was preparing a 7-inch tablet, and that the device would be going into production in April.
Both Shim’s prediction and this domain name purchase fit well in Schmidt’s six month time frame, so it’s a pretty good bet that we’ll be seeing the Google Play within the next couple months. We’ll bring you more news as it becomes available.
Would you buy a Google-branded Android tablet? What do you think of the name “Google Play”? Let us know in the comments.
Back in December we brought you news that Google might have their own Google-branded tablet in the works. In an interview with an Italian newspaper, Eric Schmidt said that Google was working on a high-quality tablet to challenge the iPad. In the interview Schmidt promised that the tablet would be available sometime in the next six months.
According to a report today from CNet, that Google-branded tablet might be well on its way to becoming a reality. According to DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim, Google is preparing a 7-inch tablet with a resolution of 1280×800, slated to begin production in April. The tablet will likely sell in the same price range as the Kindle Fire (which has a slightly lower resolution). The tablet will almost certainly run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (or maybe 5.0 Jelly Bean?).
A request for comment sent to Google has not yet received a response. Given Eric Schmidt’s certainty about a Google tablet back in December you can be pretty sure that such a device is somewhere in Google’s pipeline. Whether Shim’s details are correct or not remains to be seen. We will definitely keep you posted as more details become available.
What do you think? Would you be interested in a Google-branded tablet? Let us know what you think in the comments.
