Google Play Store now accepts PayPal in 12 countries, offers more payment options

Google now allows you to purchase content on the Google Play Store using Paypal in certain regions, including the US. Additionally, Google has expanded carrier payment integration to a number of new countries and also expanded where Google Play gift cards are available.

Google Play revenue has been on the rise (app and game sales up 300% in the past year according to Google), and more payment options should help to continue that trend. PayPal integration has been added to the Play Store in 12 countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, the US, and the UK. The integration looks pretty smooth too as all you have to do is select PayPal, and login to your account to pay for content in Google Play.

Google has also expanded most of its other payment options. Carrier billing has been added to 7 new countries, which brings the total to 24 countries around the world. Google Play gift cards have expanded and are now available in 13 total countries (all country availability is listed on the support page in the source links). Support for local developers selling apps and games has been added to 13 new countries; and, Google has added 28 new currencies, meaning easier price listing.

The Google Play Store for Android will be updated to version 4.8.19 which brings PayPal support along with some UI tweaks. The Play Store update will be pushed to your Android devices automatically, but you can also choose to download and install the official APK using the following link

File name: com.android.vending-4.8.19.apk
version: 4.8.19 (Android 2.2+).
MD5: 6d7e04ac5b0d90669ed1f79ad3355fd2.

The updated Google Play Store for Android brings the following new features and improvements

• PayPal support, allows you to pay for content on the Google Play Store using PayPal.
• New Header images and action bar area in the Play Store video and book sections.
• A new user interface when you post reviews on content you purchase from the Play Store
• A new 'Additional Information' section
• Permission Lists have now been simplified, with collapsable category menus.
• The buttons are now bigger and easier to interact with

source - Google ( Play Support | Android Developers Blog ) | Android Police