<p>The new breed of mobile messaging apps Japan's Line and China's WeChat, to name two are already siphoning off social energy by adding features traditionally associated with full-fat social networking such as in-app walls where their users can post status updates and photos. Line has also been pushing to become an entertainment hub in its own right, by adding richer content such as apps that extend its brand into areas like gaming. Today, it's pushing its Android app ecosystem even further by adding an incentivised third party app discovery feature.</p><p>The new feature is called Line Free Coin, and is aimed at allowing Line to promote third party apps to its 170 million+ user-base with downloads incentivised by virtual currency which users get when they install one of these apps. The virtual currency can then be used within Line's ecosystem to pay for other goods, like its paid for stickers ("stamps"), thereby keeping them even more engaged within its ecosystem.</p><p>Here's how Line describes the workings of the new feature:</p><p>Users will be introduced to sponsored apps carefully selected by LINE, and given "LINE Coin" virtual currency upon install. Using "LINE Coin", users are able to exchange the virtual currency for paid stamps.</p><p><a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/06/21/line-free-coin/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.fortmilltimes.com/2013/06/21/2774718/android-monetization-platform.html">Android Monetization Platform &quot;metaps&quot; and Free Calling and Messaging App ...</a> (Fort Mills Times)</p><p><a href="http://www.telecompaper.com/news/line-launches-incentive-based-app-recommendation-service--950989">Line launches incentive-based app recommendation service</a> (Telecompaper (subscription))</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=d_SL8b3rclzjsKMYVJyFhLguo-7qM&ned=us">4 additional articles.</a></p>