Google is reportedly planning to offer portions of paid applications for free in order to encourage Android users to part with cash on the Google Play Store.
The company is considering a trial program, which would offer ‘micro apps,’ for free, so users can see what they’re getting for their cash before committing to buying the full app.
The scheme, reported by The Information website, would be akin to a console game demo, or the limited amount of articles often offered by a website before the paywall kicks in.
Wednesday’s report comes as Google continues its attempts to replicate the success of iTunes and the App Store on its Android platform.
Although Google has surpassed Apple in terms of operating system market share, that dominance hasn’t been replicated in sales of apps, movies, music and more.
Apple leads the way in what it pays out to developers (and thus leads the way in the cut it pockets) and also does a roaring trade in in-app purchases. Android users tend to prefer their free apps.
The goal of the try-before-you-buy scheme would be to give users enough of a taste they’ll then commit to buying.
The trial would also users to save their data allowance by only downloading a portion of an app rather than the full fat version.
Would such a trial, that enabled you to fall in love with a slice of an app, convince you to open up your wallet more often on the Google Play Store? Let us know below.
Read more: Best Android camera apps 2014
Via: Engadget
