Nokia puts in-app purchases on S40

Offering direct billing through more than 130 operators.

The first handset to support the service will be the forthcoming Asha 303, which was announced at Nokia World and aims to bring smartphone features to cost-conscious users in emerging markets.

The system will support credit card payments, but it's clearly operator billing when most of the action will be given the inherent simplicity of the option and the lack of credit card penetration in key markets for S60 phones.

Nokia said on its blog: "Implementing in-app purchasing can be as simple as using a few simple API calls, without having to worry about payment processing.

"Developers for Series 40 can start integrating in-app purchasing into their applications for the Nokia Asha 303 today, as part of the In-app purchase for Series 40 beta program.

"The program is designed to ramp up in-app purchasing development in line with the launch and shipping date of the Nokia Asha 303."