If you’re the kind of Android user that doesn’t like lots of teeny micro payments cloggin’ up their credit card statement, or simply the type of person that often finds themselves penniless and needing an app right now, then you’ll be pleased to know that soon you’ll be able to shift all of your frivolous app purchases over to your phone bill.
Yes, yes, that’s right! Over the weekend, the Android Developers blog posted an update to the Android Market Developer Distribution Agreement that infers that carrier billing will be coming soon.
Carrier billing is when app purchases are tallied on your monthly phone bill, rather than having them immediately charged to your credit card. It’s not something that really interests me, but I’m sure it’s a hit with the credit-cardless kids.
No word on what carriers will support it, nor when it will be rolling out, but just you wait… it’s coming.
[via Talk Android]
Great! Another “Charge It” scheme. Don’t count me in.
It’s really no different than downloading a ringtone or wallpaper from your carrier’s site and being charged for it on your next bill. The only downside I see is for those of us who set up an autopay thing for a set amount each month might wind up shorting our bills and getting socked with late fees.
Still, nice if it’s an OPTION, not a requirement.
No carrier will implement this unless they have control over the selection and quality of apps for which they’ll bill. It may be an option for some apps, and the it will involve a third party platform for dev registration, app curation, and billing integration.
Yeah they will, since they get a rip off the purchase price for their billing efforts.
No they won’t, because they have to handle the customer service and refunds as the billing agent. This is the biggest pain point in carrier billing in general. They will implement it, but it will follow the model in place with existing content partners.
Great news, Another “Charge It” in Movistar for Android.
Whats the big deal? You can always use the usual payment method as well
I don’t get it. I can do this on my MyTouch Slide already.
I’ve had this option already for a good part of a year. It’s a nice option, to use when you can’t use your debit or credit card. It’s been well received I believe with T-mobile. So for T-mobile users this is VERY OLD NEWS it’s an option not a requirement. It’s nice to be able to have another option than Google pay
I, too, have had this option for a good while now. Also on T-Mobile.
One note, it only seems to work on apps that are priced in USD.
Really smart move to make carriers prefer Android devices over iPhone.