Why Google Needs to up the Ante with their Distribution of Play Store Services

The Google Play Store has come a far way since its beginnings as the once bland, green and white themed Android Market it replaced last year. As we approach the one year anniversary of the Market's re-branding and its inclusion of a number of new categories within the store, one must wonder: "why are many around the world still missing out on access to features of the Play Store?"

Take for one, the gift card. I personally think one year to push out one of the most integral components of a widespread application store is appalling. Not only have Google made sales more difficult for the horde of new Android users who may not have a means of paying for content via a credit card, but they have also shown developers, who pour their effort into making apps, that they don't matter outside the U.S. and soon to be U.K. customers.

It's all fair to say that individuals could go out and sign up for a prepaid visa card (which is what I've done for security over my debit card), but to many, it's an inconvenience, and for those familiar with the ease of purchasing a gift card for the App Store at their local supermarket - the current hassle that people outside the supported countries have to endure is unacceptable.

Source: LazyTechGuys

Only yesterday, whilst showing off a new wallpaper a developer added to their live wallpaper package I've had for months, my sister responded: "oh, I wish I could purchase apps", and it's sad because presently, she can't. The Play Store can only see good things coming from gift cards, and a worldwide roll-out will not only see users gaining access to apps they've been waiting all too long for, but it'll also see developers receiving the reimbursement, and app growth they so sorely deserve.

On another note, the Play Music store ordeal  needs to be sorted out. Sure, there may be issues at present with licencing from record labels, but the least Google could do in this situation is release statements to unsupported countries as often as they can - providing updates on their progress.

The Play Music app - long overdue for a revamp

And just quietly, the Play Music app remains the black sheep of the entire line of Google app services, and particularly when you factor in the lack of a music store - there really is not much use for this app. Many have complained about the lack of unification with regards to design, compared to the minimalist themed apps that feature on the rest of their apps. Apart from playing music, what's with all the fancy blue shades? Keep it simple, stupid.

Android is at the top of their game at the moment, so why is it that Google's lack of concern, even over the little things continue to prevail? Google know how popular their mobile OS is, and yet they're not doing justice for themselves by prolonging the roll-out of some of the core aspects required to make their store successful, and better for everyone involved in the Android ecosystem.