Google’s Android market coverage is expanding. Google revealed during this weeks I/O conference in San Francisco the coverage of the Android Market which now takes payments in 131 countries.
That’s an additional 32 countries from its last update. The Android Market now support paid apps from Philippines for examples and pretty much covers the entire globe. A few exceptions subsides thought, countries with war conflict and the most notable one China.
China is a special case for Google. Google and the Chinese government have never really been on the same page in the past.
I guess the self censor issue from last year is still playing against Google. Furthermore, Google’s main competition in China, Baidu also has plans on developing its own OS for phones so this could be another reason. Also note that on the other hand, Apple’s iTunes is running problem free in China.
Meanwhile, this means that Chinese developers can’t sell Android applications. Clearly this limitation of the Android Market in China is a real show stopper towards the expansion of Android in China. Free stores are available, but with the danger of getting malwares, especially when a good proportion emerge from China, I would just stay away from it.
Applications purchased through the Android Market can be paid via Google Checkout using your Visa or Mastercard credit card.
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