Most Android users across the globe download apps from the Google Play Store (except for China). The apps listed on the Play Store are verified and go through multiple checks for quality and malware. However, if we go by the latest reports, Android users in India will see a new Google Play Store alternative.
As per new reports, India's digital payment and financial services firm, PhonePe (owned by Walmart), is designing an app store that would serve as an alternative to the Google Play Store in India. PhonePe is a big name in the digital UPI mobile payments category and is a direct competitor to Google Pay in India.
The new Indian app store developed by PhonePe will be based on IndusOS
The new Indian Android app store allegedly being developed by PhonePe will list ‘hyper-localized' apps and services. All these apps are speculated to feature multilingual support. Well, the strange part is that users would need to download this new Indian app store from the Google Play Store.
Apparently, TechCrunch got its hands on an internal document about this app store that suggests PhonePe will provide a “premier experience for millions of users with high-quality advertisements and custom targeting.” On top of this, the app will come with 12 languages support and round-the-clock live chat support.
PhonePe is reportedly designing the new app store based on IndusOS. For starters, IndusOS is an Indian OS that is backed by Samsung, which was acquired by PhonePe in 2021. Moreover, as per a PhonePe spokesperson, the company wants to challenge Google Play Store's app dominance in the country by not only localized apps but also providing localized content based on discovery and consumer interest perspectives.
