A modded version of Play Store, developed by the notorious cracker Chelpus, allows users to pay for an app, then get a refund within the stipulated 15 minutes time limit without actually uninstalling the app.
The modded by Chelpus Play Store also comes with many other built-in features which allows users to install even those pirated apps which otherwise connect with the play store to verify their license. This modified play version also disallows the automatic updation of Play Store that happens with the non-modded version, thus causing the hacks to stick in place.
I don’t think it should be that hard for Google to learn the importance of cracking down on such cracked versions of the Play Store. One possible solution could be to accept requests from Play Store once it is checked that no code within the Play Store has been altered with.
Though we know piracy isn’t going to go away anytime soon, but still, Google should try to work in making sure that its services aren’t being modified so that developers can get their due for their hard work.
Talking about Play Store and piracy, I am reminded of the fact that in India, Play Store doesn’t accept most debit cards. Only a handful of credit cards work with it. Though this is due to some TRAI regulations (which require reauthentication of a transaction using a password), a workaround needs to be found. With a user base as big as India, Google can’t ignore us and should work on making it easier to pay for apps and other Google services. Deducting the payment from one’s mobile balance or bills seems to be a beautiful solution that should be more worked on. Doing so would give people one less reason to use pirated versions of apps and games. They might not start buying all the apps legally, but they might (hopefully) for the apps they love and use the most.
If you have some suggestion that Google or the Android team could work on to trim down the ever-growing piracy of Android apps, drop a comment below. Who knows someone from the Silicon Valley might actually read it and help the developers get what they deserve for their hard work and for making the Android platform as awesome as it is.
The modded by Chelpus Play Store also comes with many other built-in features which allows users to install even those pirated apps which otherwise connect with the play store to verify their license. This modified play version also disallows the automatic updation of Play Store that happens with the non-modded version, thus causing the hacks to stick in place.
I don’t think it should be that hard for Google to learn the importance of cracking down on such cracked versions of the Play Store. One possible solution could be to accept requests from Play Store once it is checked that no code within the Play Store has been altered with.
Though we know piracy isn’t going to go away anytime soon, but still, Google should try to work in making sure that its services aren’t being modified so that developers can get their due for their hard work.
If you have some suggestion that Google or the Android team could work on to trim down the ever-growing piracy of Android apps, drop a comment below. Who knows someone from the Silicon Valley might actually read it and help the developers get what they deserve for their hard work and for making the Android platform as awesome as it is.
