In-app billing - first impressions

So finally Google has released in-app billing for the android market. It is also documented and bundled with a sample app to use for testing, learning and as a demo.

Here is my two cents on what I want to see in next in-app billing updade:

1:st cent Make it easier to test for the developer!

I have spent a night or three browsing the sample code (Dungeons!) and trying to make it work for me, only to be slapped by INTERNAL_SERVICE_ERROR each time I tried to buy something.

The error was far from internal and service related - in fact - it was I who had foreseen this little sentence:

"You cannot use your developer account to test the complete in-app purchase process because Google Checkout does not let you buy items from yourself."

So to be able to actually try the in-app billing I need to factory reset my phone - hook it to a different Google account - register VISA-credentials (Google checkout). Then - I can install my apk and try this new feature. Puh..

Now that I've done all this - I'll have to make a refund from the merchant account - or I've lost 30% to Google. This leads to ...

2:nd cent: Give us micro payments!
Minimum price is same as for apps: $.99 | .50€ | SEK 7:-
Thats pretty much for in-app payments - VISA can handle cents, it must be possible to divide in to 30% - so theoretically $.03 | €.03 | SEK 0:03 could be minimum -

Yeah, I'm ready to give Google that extra 3% for this ;)

TravAlert Lite is published on android market

TravAlert Lite

TravAlert Lite just got published on the android market. It's free as in free beer and free of ads!

Android Market is updated

Android market has gotten a very much needed update, and in-app billing is around the corner. The market has been enhanced for browsing 'off-phone'. You can see installed apps and even install directly to your device. If you can't see your device in the list, make sure you are logged in and have your phone number registered under 'recovering you password'. You may need to logout/login to have the setting to take effect.

Android Developers Blog: New Merchandising and Billing Features on Android Market