Mobile gaming has typically offset the losses in console and PC gaming and has been the largest and fastest-growing sector in the industry for years.

One thing is certain: The app store tax battle is far from over. They can also still use in-app credits to purchase books for listening, or continue to make purchases if they don’t upgrade the app.It's not clear when Google will enable other companies to offer third-party billing options, or why Audible and Barnes & Noble took so long to adapt to Google's billing policies. They can always purchase titles at, and have those titles sync to their devices. Users can also continue purchasing through the app on their phones, so long as they don’t update to the new version, 6.1.Īudible listeners will find themselves in a similar situation. However, Android users can still purchase content on BN.com, which will be synced to their NOOK app library, according to the Barnes & Noble website. Because of the billing policy update, users can’t buy books through the app directly. If you’re a Barnes & Noble NOOK Android app user, don’t panic. Protocol contacted both Barnes & Noble and Audible, but both companies could not be reached for comment. As of now, Android users cannot buy Amazon audible titles or Barnes & Noble digital books in those respective apps.Įxplaining the billing issues to The Verge, Barnes & Noble said that it was “not given the option of participating in an alternative billing program.” And the two companies, which knew about the changes for more than 18 months, have been caught flat-footed. A Google Play policy change that went into effect March 31 requires purchases to go through Google Play’s billing systems. If things go as planned, what Google calls “user billing choice” could soon be available to app developers worldwide.īut two companies not part of the pilot - Amazon-owned Audible and Barnes & Noble - seem surprised that they're not getting the same treatment as Spotify.

The pilot, which will roll out in select markets, will allow developers to bypass Google's fees. The company announced a pilot program with Spotify that will allow the company to collect payments outside of Google's own billing system. Last month, it appeared that Google was ready to play nice. Developers, companies and regulators have tried to pressure Google and Apple to change their App Store commission structure for more than two years now.

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