Android Market allows returns, but not sexy stuff
By Tim Stevens 
posted Feb 18th 2009 11:04AM
posted Feb 18th 2009 11:04AM
Not content to let Apple be the only one having fun banning racy apps that might scar the fragile minds of its users, Google is apparently looking to get in on the action with its Android Market. The company has confirmed that no graphic sexual content will be allowed, nor anything that encourages violence or hate speech. That's bad news for those who like bad apps, but the good news is that if you find something you've downloaded to be just a little too mainstream for your edgy tastes you'll have 24 hours to return it. Keep your download and unlimited reinstalls will be at your disposal, but Google maintains the right to forcefully remove an app from your device whenever it feels like it -- pledging to do its best to get you a refund. Finally, there will be no upgrades provided through the Android Market, meaning you'll rather unfortunately need to get them through some other, less secure means.[Via IntoMobile]
dammit. My goatse app!
Froogle
just another example of the man perpetratin', tryin' to keep a brutha down.
+1 for avatar alone.
I read that as "man penetrating..."
@Nomi
+1
@Nomi: Me too! For a second there I was like "Whaaaa?!?"
?
Sounds fair to me as long as they make it so you can install whatever sexy apps you want from other sources - they host the store, after all. Why they would need a way to remotely remove apps, I don't know
In the event that they identify a particularly malicious App that managed to get into circulation.
"Finally, there will be no upgrades provided through the Android Market, meaning you'll rather unfortunately need to get them through some other, less secure means."
That totally blows if it is true. With rc33 letting you know when there's updates to apps now, it would seem like the market is taking a step in the wrong direction as far as paid apps go. I guess this will bring atrackdog back to life.
Not a big deal being as APK's can be installed from pretty much any location. As far as Google reserving the right to remove apps, I'm sure there will be a rooted image that can keep that from happening. I don't understand what the deal is with the "no upgrades provided" through the Market though, considering they just released that functionality on RC33. Misinformation maybe?
More info on the "upgrade" piece:
3. Upgrades aren’t done through the Market.
The official policy states that any upgrades must be obtained directly from the Developer as the Market has “no upgrade functionality.” The use of the word ‘upgrade’ should mean that Google is not referring to version updates that address bugs, complaints, and new features.
From http://androinica.com/2009/02/16/important-notes-on-android-market/ (a couple of links into the article)
I think "upgrades" are different from updates. They just added a function to market that shows which app has an update so it doesn't make sense to not allow updates.
I think "upgrades" is new app, except you check if the user has an older version of it before allowing the install.
Updates are just changes to an existing app.
Music is not for sale on the Android Market.
@the guy asking if you could return songs...
(stupid comment system ignored that I clicked "reply"... mod me down until my comment disappears so that I don't have to suffer the embarrassment of posting a comment in the wrong place!)
I ranked you up.
I wondered if I could return a pepperoni pizza if I don't like it, but then I remembered that Android Market distributes *applications* - not pepperoni pizzas...
Yeah, I'm thinking "upgrade" is meaning something different, the Market will notify of any new versions of apps and has been doing so for some time. Or are they referring to system updates like Cupcake and RC3X? I think a lot of people were whining that those updates should be placed in the market.
Yeah, the music thing wasn't even worth responding to assuroca... obviously that person doesn't have a G1.
LOL ,so much for open app!!!!!
How Do The Forcefully Remove It? Please Tell Me.
Oops .meant LOL! So much for open source !!!LOL
Actually, this is where open source is going to shine. As soon as there's an "uprising" from Android users because Google forcefully removed a popular application, someone's going to remove the removal code, publish the new OS and Google is left out of it. Of course, you'll need a rooted phone, but there's all sorts of tutorials explaining how to do that.
Let's see the iPhone or WM users claim to be able to do this.
Actually someone will just post it on one the myriad other sites you can purchase it from.
I love how the freedom of speech is continually eroded in our society today. As long as we rely on large corperations to supply our intellectual materials, they have the ablity to remove whatever they like for whatever reasons they see fit. Freedom of Speech isn't about defending what's popular, but what's unpopular. We can't rely on spineless corporations to protect our freedoms when profits are at stake.
I think Rage Against The Machine said it best, "They don't have the burn they books, they just remove them..."
No hate speech?
That rules out portable Bible apps then...
Nice that everyone is letting the Android Market off easy for this, yet when Apple does exactly the same thing, they get blasted. Like yesterday when Apple said it would not allow an app that streamed back episodes of South Park (which is full of graphic sexual content, violence and hate speech ... I like the show BTW but it is what it is), and uproar ensued.
so long for open source
So wait. A software company issues rules about what applications you can buy through their store, and you think that violates free speech?
If you want your porn App or whatever (never got why anybody would want to watch pr0n on a 3.2" screen anyway) you just get it from one of those other Android application sites.
I forgot that to iPhone users it's a new concept that you can install apps from elsewhere than the iTunes store.
And yeah, afaik upgrades are defined as obtaining a new version (e.g. Office 2000 -> Office XP == Upgrade; Office XP -> Office XP SP1 == Update)