Google has issued an update for the unlocked version of the Android phone. The version is specifically made for developers.
Several bug fixes for issues that involve the alarm clock, device sleep, POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) email, and email notification are among the updates. Added to this includes the ability to save MMS attachments and voice search. As for matters of accessibility to applications, Google will only block those applications, regardless of whether they are free or paid, that use Google’s copy protection. Different from the consumer version which allows users to copy applications which are sold exclusively through T-Mobile’s Network. With this however, Google is blocking access to all copy protected applications, even for copy protected applications on the open device.
Dan Morrill, Developer Advocate for Android says “many developers are concerned about the unauthorized redistribution of their applications, developer phones like the ADP1 allow for unrestricted access to the device’s contents, making it impossible to enforce copy protection. If you choose to add copy protection when you upload your application to the Android Market, then you won’t be able to test it on the ADP1’s Android market client.”
[via CNET]
Pay 170 for a phone, root it and you get everything.
Good going Google.
I don't know it's a tough place to be in for google and the developers. People want to get payed but I don't think limiting the user base like this is productive in anyway. I would think that if the Developers focused on encouraging the honest portion of the user base to purchase the software then that might be enough. This can be done by writing a really useful well thought out app that is easy to use, doesn't crash, is feature full, and any number of other things that many apps should be but aren't.
Potentially they, instead of writing an app and selling an app, they could write the app as open source, and provide a service such as support, or any number of other things that the open source community has been doing for years.
Rakoun
/°\