Yesterday Google unveiled the new Android Market and just about as quickly as we all heard the news, it was leaked to the interwebs and we all jumped on it and tested out the new Market. If you’ve yet to try the new market download it here. It brought some exciting new things such as movie and book rentals as well as a fresh new user interface. In case you forgot though, this is a reminder that rooted devices cannot watch rented movies so don’t waste your money.

If you are rooted and rent a movie the purchase will go through, you WILL be charged, and you will be greeted with the above error.

Android 2.2 and 2.3 devices can now rent and watch movies right on their Android phones but sadly many users are getting a screen similar to the image posted above. Thanks to @androidbruce for that shot and for wasting his $3.99 instead of me. Just like when the Motorola Xoom got the movie rental application if you are using a rooted device, you will be able to run the Videos app but won’t be able to play any movies through it.

What that means is you load the app, choose the movie you want and PAY for it, yet you can’t watch it and then you just lost your dollars worth. Again this is only on rooted devices, if you are not rooted you can watch all the movies your heart desires. We did a hands-on review and rented what I’d consider a classic and that was Space Jam. Everything worked great and so far we really love the new Android Market. This was just an update for anyone installing it today that might be rooted.

For now users are being directed to the support forum where you can request a refund. Sadly I wish this wasn’t an issue but I understand they must protect the films from being pirated or whatever else. I have a feeling the developer community will find a work around for this now that everyone will have access to rentals soon.

17 COMMENTS

  1. If they can detect that your device is rooted then couldn’t they just prevent you from purchasing it to begin with? Seems like a nice little way to bring in additional revenue in a slightly dishonest manner.

  4. If you are savvy enough to root your Android device, you’re more than capable of working around paying for VoD movies.  The title to this article alone makes the whole subject moot. /discusion

    • Not necessarily true…  Many root their devices by simply following a tutorial or using a one-click root app.  I’d say 95% of rooted users wouldn’t be able to root without any outside help…

  5. Thanks movie studios for gimping features in the vain attempt to curb piracy.  Instead of renting the movies for $4, I will be finding them for free.  Takes me more time and I’d rather pay the $4 than hunt around and find a copy w/ ok/good quality & no viruses, but you go ahead and feel good about the fact that you’ve prevented users from copying your videos off of the Android market.  Congrats.

  6. you CAN rent movies through the android market with a rooted phone. then watch the movie, through the phones browser(full browser), at the youtube.com/movies site. i did it. and i got a refund too 😀 
    heres some proof.. http://lockerz.com/s/119666718 http://lockerz.com/s/119834075 http://lockerz.com/s/119766309

  7. you CAN rent movies through the android market with a rooted phone. then watch the movie, through the phones browser(full browser), at the youtube.com/movies site. i did it. and i got a refund too 😀 
    heres some proof.. http://lockerz.com/s/119666718 http://lockerz.com/s/119834075 http://lockerz.com/s/119766309

  8. you CAN rent movies through the android market with a rooted phone. then watch the movie, through the phones browser(full browser), at the youtube.com/movies site. i did it. and i got a refund too 😀 
    heres some proof.. http://lockerz.com/s/119666718 http://lockerz.com/s/119834075 http://lockerz.com/s/119766309

    • you misunderstood…

      it’s about renting & watching movies from android market using the new market app, but you have to be in us or use vpn and have non rooted android phone/tablet!

  10. I suggest making a Youtube account under the same email you used to pay for the movie. You should be able to watch it on Youtube. Besides, a full computer screen beats a phone anyways

    • Download “voodoo ota”. It allows you to “unroot” long enough to watch a movie or receive an ota. You can root / unroot toggle back and forth

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.