The Indus Appstore, launched by PhonePe, aims to provide an Indian alternative to Google’s dominance in the Indian app ecosystem. Here’s a breakdown of what it brings to the table and how you can try it out:
What does it bring to the table?
1. Developer-friendly policies: Indus offers a sweeter deal for developers by allowing the use of third-party payment gateways without fees for a year, unlike Google, which takes a cut on in-app purchases.
2. Localization: It supports 12 regional languages, prioritizes Indian apps on its home page, and offers localized features catering to the Indian market.
3. App discovery: It features an Instagram-like carousel for app discovery, making it easier for users to find and download apps and games.
4. Ease of use: Similar to WhatsApp, users can sign in with just their mobile number, making the registration process convenient.
5. Preloaded partnerships: Indus claims to be in talks with major smartphone brands to get preloaded as the default app store on their devices.
Can it take on Play Store?
While Indus has gained attention with its launch, it still faces significant challenges to compete with Google Play Store:
1. Market share: Google Play Store maintains over 95% market share in India, posing a significant barrier for Indus to overcome.
2. OEM partnerships: Analysts suggest that Indus needs to secure preload deals with major smartphone OEMs like Samsung and Xiaomi to seriously compete. Current partnerships with smaller players may not be enough to make a substantial impact.
How to try out Indus Appstore:
1. Download: Visit indusappstore.com and download the APK file.
2. Install: Enable installation from unknown sources in your device settings and install the APK.
3. Create an account: Sign up using your mobile number.
4. Browse and download apps: Explore the catalog of apps, search for specific ones, and download them with ease.
5. Enable unknown app installations: You may need to enable unknown app installations one more time for Indus itself.
6. Manage apps: Install and update apps directly from the app store, and uninstall unwanted apps conveniently.
Overall, Indus Appstore presents itself as a promising alternative to Google Play Store in the Indian market, but its success will depend on its ability to secure partnerships, attract users, and maintain developer support over time.
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Despite its promising features, Indus Appstore faces significant challenges in competing with Google Play Store, which still dominates with over 95% market share in India. To succeed, analysts suggest that Indus needs to secure preload deals with major smartphone OEMs like Samsung and Xiaomi.
To try out Indus Appstore, users can visit indusappstore.com, download the APK file, and install it on their devices (after enabling installation from unknown sources). After creating an account with their mobile number, users can browse the catalog, download apps, and manage installations within the app store interface.