Category: Mobile & Apps

Google Play, one of the largest app distribution platforms, announced that it will now permit mobile app developers to integrate their own billing systems alongside Google Play’s offerings. This change means developers can direct users to their own websites for purchases, offering more flexibility and control over transactions.

The update is particularly relevant for popular games like Fortnite, which faced challenges due to Google Play’s billing and fee structures. With this new policy in place, Fortnite is set to make a comeback on Google Play worldwide. The move opens up opportunities for app developers to streamline payment processes, potentially reducing costs and improving user experience.

Google’s decision to empower developers with more billing options marks a shift towards a more developer-friendly ecosystem. By allowing developers to choose their preferred billing mechanisms, Google aims to foster innovation and competition within the app market. This move could have a ripple effect on how other app stores approach billing policies in the future.

Source: Tech-Economic Times

Ownly, a new platform launched by Rapido, has entered the Bengaluru food delivery market with a unique zero-commission model. This approach sets it apart from industry leaders like Zomato and Swiggy, which typically charge commissions ranging from 16-30% to restaurants.

By forgoing restaurant fees, Ownly aims to attract more eateries to its platform, offering them a cost-effective alternative to reach customers without the burden of hefty commissions. This shift could potentially influence how other platforms structure their fee systems and competition dynamics in the food delivery space.

As Ownly expands its footprint in Bengaluru, its commission-free strategy is likely to draw attention from industry observers and tech enthusiasts curious about the impact of such a business model on the broader food delivery ecosystem.

Source: Tech-Economic Times

The annual tech event in Barcelona, now in its 20th year, is expected to attract over 109,000 industry professionals, visitors, telecom operators, and equipment manufacturers from around the world. The focus of this year’s gathering will be on tech sovereignty and AI networks, highlighting the growing importance of these topics in the mobile industry.

With a diverse range of participants, including key players in the telecommunications sector and leading tech innovators, the event will serve as a platform to discuss the latest advancements in technology and network solutions. Issues of data governance, cybersecurity, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping mobile connectivity are expected to feature prominently in the discussions.

As the mobile industry continues to evolve rapidly, the emphasis on tech sovereignty underscores the need for countries and companies to assert control over their technological infrastructure and data. Meanwhile, the integration of AI networks into mobile ecosystems represents a significant step towards enhancing network efficiency and user experience.

The convergence of these key themes at the mobile event offers a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to exchange insights, showcase innovations, and explore collaborations that could shape the future of mobile technology.

Source: Tech-Economic Times

Duolingo, the popular language-learning platform, announced that it will expand access to its artificial intelligence-powered ‘Video Call with Lily’ feature by integrating it into the Super Duolingo subscription, making it available beyond the premium Max tier.

This decision reflects Duolingo’s commitment to enhancing its service offerings and retaining user engagement. By democratizing access to advanced features like ‘Video Call with Lily,’ Duolingo aims to provide more value to language learners worldwide and solidify its position as a user-centric platform.

Embracing artificial intelligence, Duolingo continues to innovate and personalize the learning experience for its growing user base. The expansion of the ‘Video Call with Lily’ feature underscores Duolingo’s dedication to leveraging technology to facilitate language acquisition and foster interactive learning environments.

Source: Tech-Economic Times

Instagram has unveiled a new feature that will alert parents if their teenage children repeatedly search for terms related to suicide or self-harm on the platform. This initiative is part of Instagram’s broader parental supervision program, aiming to provide caregivers with insights into their children’s online behavior. Additionally, the social media platform is working on implementing similar notifications for interactions involving artificial intelligence technologies. By introducing these measures, Instagram seeks to empower parents to better understand and support their teens in navigating potentially sensitive online content.

Source: Tech-Economic Times

Apple is actively engaging with major Indian banks, including ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank, to potentially introduce its payment service in India by mid-2026, according to a report from Bloomberg. This strategic move by the company signifies its interest in expanding its payment ecosystem to tap into the growing digital transactions market in India.

The collaboration with these prominent banks could enable Apple to leverage their established infrastructure and customer base to facilitate seamless and secure transactions through its platform. By integrating its payment service with local banking partners, Apple aims to enhance user convenience and promote wider adoption of its digital payment solutions in the Indian market.

India has witnessed a significant shift towards digital payments in recent years, driven by factors such as increasing smartphone penetration and initiatives promoting cashless transactions. Apple’s potential entry into the Indian payment landscape underscores the company’s commitment to offering innovative financial services and strengthening its presence in key global markets.

Source: Tech-Economic Times