Google Play store gift cards might be right around the corner, photos emerge

It looks like Google will soon make spending money in the Play store even easier by adding a couple of new features to its online marketplace. After taking apart the newly released Google Play store APK file (version 3.8.15), the folks at Android Police discovered evidence suggesting that Play Store gift cards could become reality in the near future. The list of clues includes new code, interface elements, and links to a "play.google.com/redeem" page, which is currently inactive. 

Well, it was about time, we have to say, for competing software marketplaces (ahem, iTunes) have had gift cards for quite a while. That ought to make gift shopping for Android geeks much easier. Besides, perhaps not everyone wants to submit their credit card information online, so a Google Play gift card would be a hassle-free way for those people to give some premium apps a shot.

Another new feature that we might see soon is the ability to add items to a wishlist – items like software, books, music, and other kinds of digital content. Although it isn't yet clear how the wishlist will operate, it is presumed that users can add stuff to it and purchase them at a later time, when they have sufficient balance, for example. 

Google has not yet announced any plans to introduce Play store gift cards, but given the evidence, it won't be surprising if that happens soon. Is anyone excited about that? Let us know by dropping a comment!

source: Android Police

UPDATE: And before you know it, spy shots of the rumored Google Play gift cards have been leaked on the web, which means we might see them on retail shelves within a few weeks. Here is what they look like. From what we see, the funds you redeem can be spent on apps, books, movies, and music. There is no word whether $10 and $25 will be the only amounts available.