APPSTORE
Zetwerk IPO eyes big returns; Flipkart alumni seek Esop buyback
Zetwerk’s early investors are poised for big gains as the platform prepares to go public. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
The ET Startup Awards 2026 special
Happy Monday! The Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA) 2026 ceremony brought together the country’s top founders, investors, and policymakers in Bengaluru for a Friday evening of sharp insights and spirited conversations.
ET Startup Awards 2026: Silicon Valley called. They want their wardrobe back!
The ET Startup Awards’ Silicon Valley dress code brought out puffer vests and sneakers, dresses where blazers might once have been, and silk saris worn with fitness watches. Striking a balance between boardroom polish and founder-casual ease, guests rounded off their looks with smart rings and trackers, turning the evening’s uniform into something more personal and data-driven.
Amazon shuffles Alexa leadership following high-end tablet release
In a strategic reshuffle, Amazon has announced new leadership within its Alexa division ahead of the anticipated launch of its latest tablet computers. Daniel Rausch, the longstanding head of Alexa, will assume a different role in 2027, with Aidan Marcuss, previously vice president of Fire TV, stepping in to oversee Alexa's future.
PhonePe gets in-principle nod from UAE for first locally licensed overseas payments business
Walmart-backed PhonePe has received in-principle approval from the UAE central bank for two payments licences, paving the way for its first locally regulated payments business outside India. The company plans to work with local banks and payment providers and explore the UAE’s domestic payment rails, Aani and Jaywan.
DPIIT inks MoU with PhonePe, Shell India to support startups
Under its collaboration with DPIIT, PhonePe will provide DPIIT-recognised startups with a range of benefits, including transaction credits through its payment gateway, access to the Indus AppStore, dedicated onboarding and support services, and opportunities for enhanced brand visibility.
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The next phase of India’s app economy is about empowerment, creation, and innovation
In an interview with ET, Priya Narasimhan, Chief Business Officer (CBO) of the homegrown Indus Appstore, a PhonePe product, spoke about evolving India’s app ecosystem into a powerhouse that puts creative control and value back into the hands of our own builders and consumers.
Indus Appstore’s role in broadening India’s app economy
As dominant platforms tighten their grip, the homegrown app store by PhonePe is offering Indian developers and users a fairer, more local path to the internet.
Motorola phones in India will now have a desi Android app marketplace
Indus Appstore has partnered with Motorola to pre-install its homegrown Android app marketplace on Motorola devices in India. This collaboration aims to provide Indian users with a personalized app discovery experience tailored to local needs and cultural diversity, supporting Indian developers and expanding the platform's reach across the nation.
Amazon's urgent and final refund alert: How to check if you still have unused Amazon coins
Amazon is shutting down its Appstore for Android devices on August 20, 2025, ending its 14-year effort to rival Google Play. Launched in 2011, the Appstore offered apps, games, and Amazon Coins. While it will remain on Fire tablets and Fire TV, its departure from other Android devices impacts users and developers.
Final warning: Amazon app shuts down on Android in days — see if you are owed refund before it’s gone
Amazon has officially announced that its Android Appstore will close forever on August 20, 2025, ending years of slow decline. While Fire TV and Fire Tablet users remain unaffected, Android users are urged to check their accounts immediately. Any unused Amazon Coins will be refunded automatically, but only if payment details are up to date.
PhonePe’s Indus Appstore to come preloaded on Alcatel smartphones as part of new partnership
Alcatel smartphones will soon have PhonePe's Indus Appstore pre-installed. This partnership aims to provide Alcatel users with a localized app experience. The Indus Appstore features apps in 12 Indian languages. Alcatel is re-entering the Indian market after seven years. They plan to become a top smartphone brand. This collaboration expands Indus Appstore's reach in India.
PhonePe's homegrown Indus Appstore to be available on all Xiaomi India handsets
Through this partnership, Indus Appstore will be integrated in all new Xiaomi smartphones in India and will replace the GetApps store on existing handsets.
Amazon to shut down Android Appstore and Amazon Coins programme by August 2025
A new FAQ page on Amazon’s website has revealed that access to the Amazon Appstore on Android devices will be discontinued from August 20, 2025. Users will no longer be able to download or update apps, and active subscriptions should be cancelled. Amazon is also shutting down its Amazon Coins programme, impacting in-app purchases and digital transactions.
Amazon to shut down Android app store, discontinue Coins
Customers will no longer have access to the Amazon Appstore on their Android devices from August 20, 2025, according to a notification on the company’s support page. It also announced the discontinuation of the Amazon Coins programme on the same date, with Coins no longer available for purchase from 20th February 2025.
Going desi in the global age: PhonePe's strategy to expand as an India-centric startup
PhonePe, backed by Walmart, focuses on made-in-India products. It launched Indus Appstore and Pincode to compete with Google, Apple, Flipkart, and Amazon. The company achieved a 74% revenue increase in FY24 and returned to profitability. PhonePe aims to create jobs and drive India's digital payments growth.
PhonePe in talks with top smartphone brands to pre-install Indus Appstore
PhonePe launched its own Android-based app store, challenging Google's billing policy and commissions. It onboarded popular apps and gaming majors, offering zero listing and platform fees.
PhonePe's Indus Appstore crosses 1 lakh downloads within 3 days of launch
The Indus Appstore aims to set itself apart from the Google and Apple platforms by not charging developers any platform fee or commission for in-app payments. Developers will also be free to integrate any payment gateway of their choice inside their apps.
PhonePe launches made-in-India Indus Appstore to take on Google, Apple
Indus Appstore will not charge platform fee or commission from developers, who can also integrate any payment gateway of their choice inside their apps.
Byju on rights issue, board changes; PhonePe launches Indus Appstore
Days ahead of a decisive extraordinary general meeting, Byju Raveendran wrote a letter to shareholders informing them that the edtech firm’s rights issue has been fully subscribed. Details of this and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
PhonePe to launch app store on February 21
The launch of PhonePe's Indus Appstore is expected to take place in New Delhi. PhonePe released the developer platform for the Android-based app marketplace in September last year and said it would be free for developers for the first year, after which a nominal annual fee would apply.
Rakesh Deshmukh steps down as CEO of PhonePe-owned Indus Appstore
Deshmukh, along with IIT Bombay alumni Akash Dongre and Sudhir Bangarambandi, founded Indus OS in 2013. Through its marketplace App Bazaar, the platform allows users to discover and access mobile applications in their own language.
PhonePe partners with Dream11, Nazara Tech, A23, MPL and other game developers for Indus Appstore
PhonePe is offering zero commissions on in-app payments in an effort to attract more app developers to build on its own app store.
PhonePe opens Indus Appstore for Android developers to challenge Google-Apple duopoly
Digital payments major, PhonePe, is challenging the dominance of Google and Apple by opening its Indus Appstore to other Android developers. The Indus Appstore Developer Platform will be free for the first year and will not charge developers any platform fee or commission for in-app payments.
Want to run Android apps on Windows 11? This is how you can do that without using any third-party emulator
With the latest Windows 11, users can now run Android apps on their computers. Follow these steps and have Android experience on Windows, without emulators.
Govt keen to develop, strengthen own mobile app store: Ravi Shankar Prasad
India's first indigenously developed Appstore, 'Mobile Seva Appstore' hosts more than 965 live apps from various domains and categories of public services, Minister for Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Amazon India launches Amazon Marketplace Appstore to offer solutions to sellers
Sellers can access verified third-party applications that complement Amazon’s free tools, helping them streamline and thereby improve efficiency of their business operations
BlackBerry to shut down music, video sections from July 21
The announcement comes close on the heels of BlackBerry's partnership with Amazon to make 240,000 Android apps available to its users.
Kapil Sibal launches e-governance application store
This appstore will allow citizens to receive information in an efficient and a much-simplified manner. It is hosted by the DeitY and has been designed and developed by the NIC.
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