Amazon Adds In-App Purchasing to Appstore

Amazon, following the lead of Apple and Google, on Tuesday announced that it will begin letting users make purchases within the apps offered via its Appstore.
The new in-app purchasing service allows developers to charge for digital content, such as upgrades, expansion packs, in-game currency, and magazine issues. With the new service, users of the Kindle Fire and other Android devices will be able to purchase in-app content with just one click.
A number of developers and publishers have already begun taking advantage of the capability, including Walt Disney Co., Gameloft, Conde Nast, Dow Jones.
earlier this month; Amazon has been testing the service since November.
“Amazon Appstore’s In-App Purchasing service enables developers to generate more revenue from their apps,” Aaron Rubenson, director of the Amazon Appstore, said in a statement. “Many of Amazon Appstore’s customers have shopped with Amazon before and they trust Amazon’s easy payment process, which leads to higher conversion of developers’ in-app content and subscriptions.”
This is important because Amazon currently has about 34,000 apps in its Appstore, while Google Play has 450,000 and the Apple App Store has at least 500,000. It’s also a win for Amazon because the online retailer keeps a 30 percent cut of every in-app purchase.