Indus Appstore: India's New Google Play Store?

Walmart Global Tech India -owned PhonePe has launched the Indus Appstore , a platform rivalling Google Play 's monopoly in India's software ecosystem. On February 21, PhonePe announced its launch, pitching itself as a serious challenger to 谷歌 and 苹果 's app marketplaces.?

The Indus Appstore provides over 200,000 apps and games in 12 Indian languages, catering to Indian consumers' linguistic preferences. It enables developers to display their offerings without paying listing costs until April 2025. Furthermore, developers may connect third-party payment processors for in-app purchases, unlike Google's rigorous billing standards. The debut of Indus Appstore comes when Google and Indian IT firms are at odds over app store policy and commissions. PhonePe's CEO, Sameer Nigam , envisions it as a game changer, encouraging healthy competition and democratizing the app business. The Indus Appstore is offering localization services and tools to monitor and grow apps. It aims to capitalize on India's booming app economy.

PhonePe is also actively seeking partnerships with smartphone manufacturers to expand its reach and expects to be available on most major phone brands by the end of the year. It was formally launched in New Delhi, with dignitaries such as the Communications and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and former Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant in attendance. PhonePe's acquisition of Indus OS in July 2022 laid the groundwork for the Indus Appstore, reflecting the company's long-term strategic vision. By providing developers with a fair and level playing field, PhonePe aims to create a more democratic and inclusive digital ecosystem in India where every user feels at home.?

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