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Is Google pulling tethering apps from the Android Market?
According to folks over at Android Community, Google has begun to pull tethering applications from the G1's Market. One of the contributors to the "WiFi Tether for Root Users" app claims that the company is citing distribution agreements with carriers as the cause of the takedowns. In their words:Google enters into distribution agreements with device manufacturers and Authorized Carriers to place the Market software client application for the Market on Devices. These distribution agreements may require the involuntary removal of Products in violation of the Device manufacturer's or Authorized Carrier's terms of service" Google Developer Distribution AgreementOf course, this should come as quite a surprise, given statements T-Mobile's Cole Brodman made to us during the G1 launch last year, and Google's seemingly rampant interest in being the de facto open source mobile OS. It's not clear at this point if this is an isolated incident (possibly related to the root nature of the app), or just the beginning of a more widespread move. Google (and T-Mobile to some extent) -- we await your response.[Thanks, Chris]
T-Mobile launches 'My Account' app for tracking minutes, sweating bills
Tired of logging into your T-Mobile account in order to check your G1 usage figures, existing bill status and plan information? Just too lazy to even do it? If you've somehow managed to remain on the carrier as a customer despite your lackadaisical approach to paying up on a monthly basis, you just might want to give the 'My Account' app a look. Freshly loosed on the Android Market, the app gives G1 users easy access to current activity, bill summary, plan information, online payment, help guides, forums, battery info, storage info, etc. Anyone sucked it down yet? Is it amazing?
UK gets paid apps in the Android Market tomorrow
With the US version of the Android Market now in full swing, it was just a matter of time before European markets started to come online. Now, we've got the first concrete date, and needless to say -- T-Mobile UK customers won't be waiting very long. A PocketGamer.biz liveblog of a T-Mobile-hosted Android even in London has revealed that the Market goes live for the British Isles tomorrow, and according to the carrier's head of internet and entertainment, it'll be awesome: "From tomorrow, UK customers will have paid apps on the phone, and there'll be a wide selection of paid apps on the market." In the same event, it was revealed that fully 20 percent of all new customers to T-Mobile UK are selecting the G1, which seems like a promising sign -- and now that there's going to be some better stuff available to download, that number can probably only stand to go up... or down, considering that the Magic's just around the corner on T-Mob's arch nemesis Vodafone.[Via AndroidPhone.co.uk, thanks Chris]
Paid apps appear in Android Market
Looks like Google is officially in the mobile app store game -- Android Market now contains paid apps. We haven't gotten the update on our G1 yet, but if you have RC33 it's rolling out now -- reboot and let us know what your first purchase is!
Android Market allows returns, but not sexy stuff
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]
Google now accepting paid apps in Android Market
If you've been looking to make a little bank off that awesome flatulence soundboard you put together for the G1, take heart: Google's ready for you. As expected, it's been announced that developers can now submit end-user pricing for applications in the US version of the Android Market, with Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France, and Spain coming later in the quarter. It's no big surprise that Google Checkout is the only form of payment accepted, which publishers can sign up for right from the dev site. As for you Yanks, look for the first paid apps to be available for download in the middle of next week.Update: We've just gotten official word from T-Mobile that the G1's RC33 build -- which has just been rolled out to owners -- contains paid app support. Thumbs-up for spending money!
Android Market getting paid apps this week?
According to a passing mention in the Wall Street Journal, the Android Market could start accepting for-pay apps as early as this week. We've been expecting such a development to hit this quarter, and it makes sense with that RC33 update in the bag. Unfortunately, this WSJ quote -- pulled a piece on Microsoft's mobile strategy -- is all we've got to go on at the moment. Either way, paid apps are obviously an inevitability, and that financial incentive could be a major boost to the Android ecosystem... or the harbinger or farting apps.[Via Talk Android]
Rogue Android app said to be wiping G1 user data
PSA: you should probably cancel that MemoryUp Personal download from the Android Market. Like, right now. According to legions of T-Mobile G1 users who gave the program a go, it's pretty much an abject disaster. The app bills itself as being "a handy memory optimizer tool that will keep your Android smartphone running faster and efficiently," but more than a few users have reported that it actually wipes oodles of precious data instead. Reports ranging from cleared SD cards to completely erased contact lists have appeared time and time again, with many straight-up calling it a scam. We're not looking for Apple-like safeguards on the store or anything, but maybe a test or two before letting this thing fly would've been nice, no?
Paid apps still coming to Android Market in Q1 '09, US and UK rollout first
Despite a decent selection, we get the feeling Android developers have really been holding back until they can make a little money for their hard labor. Google exec Eric Chu is telling registered Android Market members via email that the rollout of paid apps is still coming first quarter of next year. He said it will occur in stages, starting with the US and UK first, followed by Germany, Austria, and Netherlands for phase two and France, Italy, and Spain after that, with more countries to be announced by the end of Q1 2009. Chu also said to expect an update to the Market website in mid-January that'll allow developers to target specific countries for their apps. Android devs, we hope you're ready -- we can't wait to see what toys you'll give us once you're able to make some coins from it.
SIM / hardware-unlocked Android Dev Phone 1 surfaces for $399
Oh, snap! Out of seemingly nowhere, Google has revealed the Android Dev Phone 1, a SIM- and hardware-unlocked G1 designed to be sold exclusively to hard working developers. The handset ships with a system image that's fully compatible with Android 1.0, and obviously, it complies with any SIM card and can "flash custom Android builds that will work with the unlocked bootloader." In other words, the mobile should seriously appeal to devs who live far, far away from areas blanketed with T-Mobile coverage. In order to get one, you must first register as an Android developer on the Android Market site (which involves a one-time $25 setup fee); once you're in, you simply surf over and nail the "Purchase" link. For $399 (including free shipping in the US of A), this swanky G1 -- custom back and all -- can be yours, and it's scheduled to ship in 18 international markets soon. Would it be too much to yell "snap!" again?[Thanks, Ryan]%Gallery-38704%
EA reveals Android gaming plans: Tetris, Bejeweled, Monopoly, oh my!
Hot on the heels of Electronic Arts kinda-sorta slamming Nokia for its lackluster N-Gage gaming platform comes word that the video game giant will be dabbling in the world of Android here shortly. Unsurprisingly, we're informed that Tetris will be the first Android title out, while Bejeweled and Monopoly should follow suit in November. According to EA Mobile vice president Adam Sussman, "Android is another exciting new platform to offer customers great games with enhancements like touch and tilt capabilities," and while we weren't given specifics outside of the aforesaid titles, more games are definitely "in development."
Video: T-Mobile G1 gets unlocked, quirks still present
It was inevitable, was it not? T-Mobile's G1 lasted an entire week as the T-Mobile G1; now, it's really anyone's G1. Thanks to the kids over at Unlock T-Mobile G1, any owner with a few spare moments and $22.99 can open their handset up for use on AT&T or any other GSM network across the globe. Reportedly, prospective unlockers simply hand over the aforementioned cash and their IMEI code (scary, we know), and in return they receive an eight-digit unlock code that frees it from the bonds of T-Mobile. Initial tests have shown that calling and texting work just fine on non-native networks, but the inability to even login to Gmail (and thus, the Android Market, etc.) puts a real damper on things. No worries -- we're sure those minor hindrances will be worked out in short order. A video full of proof is waiting just beyond the break.[Via Android Community]
Android Market open for business, revenue details emerge
Being that the T-Mobile G1 launched officially today in the US of A, it makes sense that the phone's marketplace for applications would open its doors as well. A recent post over at the Android Developers Blog has affirmed that users can now indulge in over 50 apps, and moreover, it has laid out details surrounding the process for getting your own app in there. Beginning on Monday, prospective devs will be forced to "register and pay a one time $25 application fee" in order to ensure that they're "authenticated and responsible for their apps." After that, the programs will be "made available to users without further validation or approval." Starting in Q1, developers will be able to distribute paid apps in addition to free apps, and similar to Apple's revenue model, devs will get 70% of the revenue, though it should be noted that Google won't be taking a percentage of the remainder; apparently, it all goes to settling bills with the carriers (T-Mobile's really insistent about getting some dues for app bandwidth usage, isn't it?) and payment processing systems. Go at it, you eager developer you -- we fully expect a gratis app showing off your handiwork to emerge on the 27th.
Google strips meat, gristle off Android Market's bones, leaves just 13 apps
Prior to the G1's stealth launch, Google's on-device Android Market was a busy place, teeming with some 50-plus apps seemingly ready to win the hearts and minds of early adopters anxious to outfit their G1s with... oh, you know, simple pleasures like a video player or the ability to change the UI's font size. We guess that wasn't part of Mountain View's strategy, though, with all but 13 applications having been removed today -- presumably a knee-jerk response to the knowledge that phones were starting to make their way into paying customers' hands. Truth be told, this was probably the plan all along; the Market had gotten a little dirty from both developer and Google testing, and we're figuring they were just looking to tidy things up a bit to make it presentable on launch day before it got nasty dirty with a flood of developers outside the confines of Google's own Android Developer Challenge. Either that, or there's some deep, dark conspiracy lurking involving the unceremonious removal of any content that upsets Schmidt, Brin, or Page.Update: We're hearing this is all due to an update to the Market -- older apps that haven't been updated to meet the Market's specs aren't available at the moment. Thanks, everyone!
Android Market will offer free trials, but not free bandwidth
Apple's App Store, with its millions of downloads, is clearly a hit with consumers. But with developers? Not so much. Like a dashing hero to a scorned mistress, Google's Andy Rubin is pledging a different, more loving and respectful relationship with those who would fill his company's Android Market with selections -- and his pockets with royalties. He indicates that the Market will enable free downloadable trials, something that Apple is stubbornly refusing to add, and that those downloads would not be subject to any arbitrary bandwidth caps. Meanwhile, T-Mobile at least will be levying a $2/month fee on developers of free apps expected to use more than the (somewhat arbitrary) amount of 15MB of data per user per month, though how they'll be keeping track of that data outside of their own content stack is unclear -- our guess is that they can't.
Google talks Android Market app store
Android's gaining a head of steam as it heads towards release -- Google just posted up some details on the upstart OS's app distribution system, Android Market. Just like Apple's iPhone App Store, Android Market will run on Android phones like the HTC Dream and allow users to browse and install apps, as well as comment on and rate apps they've already purchased. (Somewhat terrifyingly, Google describes the rating and comment-system as "similar to YouTube," but we're hoping the reference is to user-generated ratings in general and not the grammar and language catastrophe that is YouTube comments.) Unlike Apple's store, however, Android Market will be open to all -- Google wants devs to "have an open and unobstructed environment" for their apps, and it'll only take three steps (register, upload, describe) to put content on the service. The first Android handsets will come with a beta version of Market that supports free downloads only, but a version that has app sales, versioning, and other features will arrive soon after launch -- given the number of mediocre apps that have somehow passed Apple's vetting process, it'll be interesting to see what shows up in Google's store with no filters at all. More screenshots after the break.[Via Mobile Burn]
