Have in-app purchases gone too far?

[AndroidPIT] Hey {NAME}, The age of the mobile app brought us the much maligned phenomenon of in-app purchases, or IAPs. This business model has not only become more and more ubiquitous in our modern and connected lives, but also even more refined and predatory in an attempt to bleed our wallets with a thousand cuts. We take a look at the state of IAPs today, and spoiler: it's not good. ​​​​​​​ Nicholas Montegriffo, Editor What you really need to know ~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vd2UtbmVlZC10by10YWxrLWFib3V0LWluLWFwcC1wdXJjaGFzZXMtYWdhaW4_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA [We need to talk about in-app purchases (again)](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vd2UtbmVlZC10by10YWxrLWFib3V0LWluLWFwcC1wdXJjaGFzZXMtYWdhaW4_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [In-app purchases. No one admits to liking them in public yet the business model keeps raking it in. It's time to take a stand: IAPs are going too far.](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vd2UtbmVlZC10by10YWxrLWFib3V0LWluLWFwcC1wdXJjaGFzZXMtYWdhaW4_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Read this story](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vd2UtbmVlZC10by10YWxrLWFib3V0LWluLWFwcC1wdXJjaGFzZXMtYWdhaW4_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) Highlights of the week ~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vYmVzdC1hbmRyb2lkLXBob25lP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9d2Vla2x5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJzJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPTIwMTkwNDMwX3duJmFwX3V1aWQ9SVhnYUhIWFlEZkYwQ0ZseUNtRVVjMnFWUnBjVwNzcGNCCgAhSXzJXOo9491SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg2QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ [The best Android smartphones - April 2019](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vYmVzdC1hbmRyb2lkLXBob25lP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9d2Vla2x5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJzJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPTIwMTkwNDMwX3duJmFwX3V1aWQ9SVhnYUhIWFlEZkYwQ0ZseUNtRVVjMnFWUnBjVwNzcGNCCgAhSXzJXOo9491SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg2QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [We've tested, reviewed, and picked the winners for the best Android smartphones you can get right now. Looking for a new device? Read this first!](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vYmVzdC1hbmRyb2lkLXBob25lP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9d2Vla2x5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJzJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPTIwMTkwNDMwX3duJmFwX3V1aWQ9SVhnYUhIWFlEZkYwQ0ZseUNtRVVjMnFWUnBjVwNzcGNCCgAhSXzJXOo9491SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg2QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [The best of the best](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vYmVzdC1hbmRyb2lkLXBob25lP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9d2Vla2x5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJzJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPTIwMTkwNDMwX3duJmFwX3V1aWQ9SVhnYUhIWFlEZkYwQ0ZseUNtRVVjMnFWUnBjVwNzcGNCCgAhSXzJXOo9491SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg2QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) ~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vdnItbmV3LXdheXMtdG8tZXhwZXJpZW5jZS1hcnQ_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA [VR is opening up new ways to experience art](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vdnItbmV3LXdheXMtdG8tZXhwZXJpZW5jZS1hcnQ_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Virtual reality is present in entertainment and the workplace, but it's also making waves in the art world with its unique potential for transformation.](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vdnItbmV3LXdheXMtdG8tZXhwZXJpZW5jZS1hcnQ_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Inside the VRart world](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vdnItbmV3LXdheXMtdG8tZXhwZXJpZW5jZS1hcnQ_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) ~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0S4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vcG9sbC1kby15b3Utc3RpbGwtYmVsaWV2ZS1pbi1mb2xkYWJsZS1zbWFydHBob25lcz91dG1fc291cmNlPXdlZWtseS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj0yMDE5MDQzMF93biZhcF91dWlkPUlYZ2FISFhZRGZGMENGbHlDbUVVYzJxVlJwY1cDc3BjQgoAIUl8yVzqPePdUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ [Poll: do you still have faith in foldable smartphones?](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0S4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vcG9sbC1kby15b3Utc3RpbGwtYmVsaWV2ZS1pbi1mb2xkYWJsZS1zbWFydHBob25lcz91dG1fc291cmNlPXdlZWtseS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj0yMDE5MDQzMF93biZhcF91dWlkPUlYZ2FISFhZRGZGMENGbHlDbUVVYzJxVlJwY1cDc3BjQgoAIUl8yVzqPePdUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [With the Galaxy Fold breaking and being postponed, do you still believe in the idea of foldable smartphones? Let us know in this week's reader poll!](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0S4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vcG9sbC1kby15b3Utc3RpbGwtYmVsaWV2ZS1pbi1mb2xkYWJsZS1zbWFydHBob25lcz91dG1fc291cmNlPXdlZWtseS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj0yMDE5MDQzMF93biZhcF91dWlkPUlYZ2FISFhZRGZGMENGbHlDbUVVYzJxVlJwY1cDc3BjQgoAIUl8yVzqPePdUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Have your say!](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0S4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vcG9sbC1kby15b3Utc3RpbGwtYmVsaWV2ZS1pbi1mb2xkYWJsZS1zbWFydHBob25lcz91dG1fc291cmNlPXdlZWtseS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj0yMDE5MDQzMF93biZhcF91dWlkPUlYZ2FISFhZRGZGMENGbHlDbUVVYzJxVlJwY1cDc3BjQgoAIUl8yVzqPePdUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) ~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vNS1uZXctYXBwcy13b3J0aC1hLXRyeS10aGlzLXdlZWs_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA [5 great new apps and games to download this week](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vNS1uZXctYXBwcy13b3J0aC1hLXRyeS10aGlzLXdlZWs_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Our editors and community once again present you with a selection of the best new apps and games for your Android smartphone.](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vNS1uZXctYXBwcy13b3J0aC1hLXRyeS10aGlzLXdlZWs_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [To the apps](~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0SnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW5kcm9pZHBpdC5jb20vNS1uZXctYXBwcy13b3J0aC1hLXRyeS10aGlzLXdlZWs_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT13ZWVrbHktbmV3c2xldHRlcnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAxOTA0MzBfd24mYXBfdXVpZD1JWGdhSEhYWURmRjBDRmx5Q21FVWMycVZScGNXA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) ~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0QgaHR0cDovL3R3aXR0ZXIuY29tL0FuZHJvaWRQSVRjb21XA3NwY0IKACFJfMlc6j3j3VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA ~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0Q8aHR0cDovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS91c2VyL0FuZHJvaWRQSVRjb20_c3ViX2NvbmZpcm1hdGlvbj0xVwNzcGNCCgAhSXzJXOo9491SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg2QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ ~/AABFLwA~/RgRerAFJP0QnaHR0cDovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20vd2VhcmVhbmRyb2lkcGl0VwNzcGNCCgAhSXzJXOo9491SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg2QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ You no longer wish to receive our newsletters? 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