Tag: Google Play Store

Google halts Play Store billing system in Russia, users unable to purchase new apps

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 10 March 2022

In an update posted to its support page yesterday, Google announced that it is pausing Google Play’s billing system for users in Russia.

According to the update, Russian Google Play users would no longer be able to purchase new apps and games from the store, along with not being able to make in-app and monthly subscription payments for Google-owned apps like YouTube.

Google cites a “payment system disruption” as the main reason behind the stoppage. This could be because the bank that facilitates Google Pay payments in Russia might have been sanctioned, similar to how Apple Pay is currently disabled in the country as the bank that facilitates those transactions, VTB, has been hit with strict economic sanctions.

It’s worth noting that users in Russia would still be able to download free apps and games from the store, along with retaining full access to apps that they have already purchased. However, any and all subscriptions will end after their current billing cycle.

This comes soon after Google announced that it has suspended all of its ad sales in Russia. “In light of the extraordinary circumstances, we’re pausing Google ads in Russia,” the company said in a statement given to Reuters. “The situation is evolving quickly, and we will continue to share updates when appropriate.”

Check out a full list of big tech/social media sanctions against Russia in the wake of its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine here.

Source: Google

Tags Google Play Store, Google Play Store billing system, Paid apps and games, Russia Ukraine

Mobile Syrup

Watch Santa deliver gifts around the world using Google Santa Tracker

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 24 December 2021

Santa has left the North Pole and begun delivering gifts around the world. Led by his nine reindeer, Santa’s journey will take him through each country. Thanks to Google Santa Tracker, you can keep up with where in the world Father Christmas is.

Google has held on to the annual tradition of tracking Santa Claus each Christmas since 2004. The tracking system is powered by Google Maps. Google uses satellite technology and a bit of magic to keep up with Santa’s location. It’s become a favourite of families around the world as they can see where Santa is and where he is off to next.

Google has been expanding the Santa Tracker portal with beloved features as well as new activities families can take part in. One of my personal favourites is the ‘Local Guide’ which shows the exact location of Santa and provides the ability to see details and attractions of the area. Google will redirect users to Google Maps to see a more in-depth look at the area.

Additionally, the Santa Tracker shows the grand total of presents delivered by the big guy. At the time of writing, over 2,500,000,000 gifts have been dropped off across the world.

Google Santa Tracker also includes a whole bunch of interactive games to play. Santa Selfie, for instance, enables users to give the jolly old elf a beard trim and style his hair. There are also games like Gumball Tilt and more. Of course, what’s a Christmas without a Yule Log fire video. Yes, the Santa Tracker portal includes one of those as well for your viewing pleasure.

It’s a pretty impressive offering of activities Google has helped put together for families across the world. Kids can learn a bit of geography while Santa and co. zip from location to location around the world throughout the day.

Google Santa Tracker can also be installed on Android as well through the Google Play Store.

Image credit: Google

Tags Android, Google, Google Play Store, Google Santa Tracker

Mobile Syrup

Meta now listed as Facebook developer on Google Play and App Store

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 17 December 2021

Earlier this year, Facebook was rebranded as Meta, and now the change is reflected on the Google Play Store and iOS.

First reported by Android Police, apps directly associated with Facebook, such as the Messenger app, now list ‘Meta Platforms, Inc.’ as their developer. Previously, Facebook was listed as the developer.

The change only seems to apply to apps directly connected with the Facebook name. While Whatsapp and Instagram are also part of the Facebook family, they aren’t listed as being developed by Meta Platforms, Inc.

MobileSyrup has noted the same change also applies to iOS. While Facebook and Messenger have a change in developer, Instagram lists ‘Instagram, Inc.’ as the developer. WhatsApp lists ‘WhatsApp Inc.’