For a long time, app developers in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand have been annoyed because they can’t sell anything on Google Play, the official Android app store. But that has just changed as of yesterday with Google announcing that developers in the four countries can now sign up as merchants through the Google Play Developer Console.
Previously, developers in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand could only sell their Android apps by working with third parties like telcos and mobile payments companies like Fortumo. So even when these developers can publish their apps on Google Play, they were not able to charge for premium nor in app purchases inside. Plus, Fortumo and telcos take a big slice of revenues.
The Google Play Stores in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand now show the app prices in localized currencies. Previously they were displayed in US dollars. The announcement was sent through emails to developers. Here is the full email from Google (thanks to Fandry Iy for this!):
Hello,We’re writing to let you know that we will be introducing Google Wallet Merchant registration availability for Google Play Developers in additional countries. Beginning Feb 6 2014, developers from Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, and Thailand will be able to sign up as merchants through the Google Play Developer Console.
Source: TechinAsia
