Paytm launches a mini app store. Image used for representation.
Paytm was removed from the Google Play Store last month for violating Google’s policy against gambling.
- News18.com
- Last update: October 5, 2020 9:19 AM IST
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The Paytm digital payments app has launched its own mini app store which can be accessed directly through the Paytm app. This comes weeks after Paytm was removed from Google’s Play Store for violating its anti-gambling policies. It was also reported that Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma was working to bring an Indian alternative to Google Play, after Indian developers asked for a local alternative to Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store. The push for an Indian alternative to the Google Play Store has grown stronger after Google tightened its grip on the 30 percent commission for in-app purchases using Google’s billing system.
Paytm said that more than 300 apps, including Decathlon, Ola, Rapido, Netmeds, 1MG, Domino’s Pizza, FreshMenu, NoBroker, and others have joined its mini app store. Paytm offers a listing and distribution of these mini apps right from your app, free of charge. Developers will be able to choose between Paytm Wallet, Paytm Payments Bank, UPI, net banking and card payments to users. Paytm will make the mini app store available through your app. The mini app store will have mini apps, which are custom mobile websites that give users an app-like experience, saving them data and battery life. Paytm’s competitor PhonePe also launched its platform in the app in June 2018, which was later rebranded as the PhonePe Switch in October last year.
The mini app store can be accessed through the main section of the Paytm app, where users can find the option to pay bills. Users can access the mini app store by going to the center section of the home screen> show more> mini app store. The app store has various categories such as shopping, food delivery, healthcare, lifestyle, education, travel and transportation, news and content, live TV, and more. The mini store also tells the user what the trends and the best offers are.
The push for an Indian alternative to the Google Play Store has been quite significant since Paytm pulled out of the Google Play Store last month. The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) said late last month that it is seeking a meeting with its members to understand the issue. “Just because Google owns the gate and the gateway to the digital ecosystem of this country, they should not act arbitrarily and enforce its rules and regulations that are contrary to the laws of our country,” said a member according to LiveMint.
Paytm was briefly removed from the Google Play Store last month for “repeatedly” violating Google’s anti-gambling policies.
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