Advertisment

Airtel App Central

author-image
PCQ Bureau
New Update

With Mobile software developers launching App stores for

their respective platforms and enjoying grand success for the same, Airtel has

launched their own App Store that works across phones irrespective of the

operating software.

Advertisment

Christened as App Central, the App store works through GPRS

connectivity. Hence anyone having an Airtel connection can get the Airtel GPRS

plan activated and use it to access the store. One simply needs to type out

'App' and send it to 54321 and the link to the App central is delivered to the

inbox. There are no data charges for browsing through the App central, which is

a very wise move by Airtel.

The App Central is a basic store with options to search

through the apps by name, or browse through them. The apps are sorted in

different categories such as social networking, cricket, entertainment and even

has categories for Free apps, New arrivals and Top Sellers. The main page also

has 4-featured apps on the top for quick access.  The App central is fairly

simple to use, even for a first time user. The applications have detailed

description of the functionality, the developer, size of download as well as the

cost of the application. Once an app is purchased, it can be used on the phone

without any further cost, unless it's a subscription-based service. For a

subscription-based service, the price would be deducted as and when the

subscription has to be renewed.  In case the application gets deleted or does

not get installed correctly, the user is entitled to download the application

twice, without incurring any extra charges other than the data transfer.

Price: NA



Meant for: Airtel users


Key Specs: Works on all operating systems, requires GPRS/ EDGE


Pros: Easy to use, Free Browsing, Detailed information


Cons: Expensive, GPRS only connectivitypad


Contact: Airtel India


SMS Buy 130512 to 56677




Advertisment

The billing system for the applications is very neat. The

charges are automatically added to your current bill or charged onto your phone.

For subscription-based services, the customer is notification via messages that

come 3 days in advance before the app expiry date, asking the consumer to either

recharge or to unsubscribe.

There is a wide variety of applications that are available

on Airtel's App Central. However, it doesn't match up in sheer numbers to the

Android app store or the Apple App store. Also, the pricing of the apps is

substantially high considering an Indian consumer psyche, which would make the

users, stick to the free apps more or less. The data charges for downloading an

app from app central are standard, same as downloading through any other

website. Also, currently there is no option to download the apps via any other

way other than GPRS.

All in all, the app store is a great move from Airtel to

make users aware of the various applications available for entertainment and

productivity. However, Vodafone has also launched their own App store in

competition to Airtel which makes airtel loose out on the exlusivity factor of

the service.

Advertisment