Google Play Store (aka the product formerly known as Android Market) needs more ways for users to fund their Google Wallet in order for content providers (app developers, book/music publishers) to feel confident in the monetization model
The issue was (and probably still is) is that Google Checkout is a different division and whilst Android Market may be a big customer of theirs, wasn't their only customer.
Products which you would expect available from an online store such as gifting of apps and prepaid cards are not available on the Play Store. I've given my old Android device to my 13 year old child (its above the min age limit)
and there is no way for me to buy paid apps without linking a credit card to my child's Google Wallet account. There is ofcourse the secondary point then its only in ICS that one is kinda required to setup a Google Wallet account when activating your Android device
The current model of funding for Google Wallet assumes that it can only be funding via credit cards. Andy Rubin would like to get more carrier billing coverage and if he (aka Google) is willing to eat margins to give a consistent 70% revshare to developers that's great but this may be a long wait
The issue was (and probably still is) is that Google Checkout is a different division and whilst Android Market may be a big customer of theirs, wasn't their only customer.
Products which you would expect available from an online store such as gifting of apps and prepaid cards are not available on the Play Store. I've given my old Android device to my 13 year old child (its above the min age limit)
http://support.google.com/plus/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answe...
and there is no way for me to buy paid apps without linking a credit card to my child's Google Wallet account. There is ofcourse the secondary point then its only in ICS that one is kinda required to setup a Google Wallet account when activating your Android device
The current model of funding for Google Wallet assumes that it can only be funding via credit cards. Andy Rubin would like to get more carrier billing coverage and if he (aka Google) is willing to eat margins to give a consistent 70% revshare to developers that's great but this may be a long wait