Google Dev Phone 1 Banned From Paid Apps 134
ScrewMaster points out an short article according to which purchasers of the G1 Android phone's developer-oriented variant will be out of luck if they want to buy apps from Google's application store. "Google is not going to allow programmers who have purchased the Dev Phone 1 to purchase paid apps from the Android Market. I just signed up as a G1 developer, and was about to plunk down the $399 for a Dev Phone 1, but now I'm going to have to think about it. I know that Google is interested in preventing (cough) 'piracy,' but does this seem like the right way to go? I know the Dev Phone 1 is primarily a developer's tool, but I would like to actually use the thing, and not have to spend another $180 from T-Mobile for a regular G1 just for the privilege of buying software." I hope this isn't true; the unlocked G1 looked like a pretty cool phone, especially (being unlocked) for travel to countries where pre-paid SIM cards are the norm.
device not banned (Score:5, Interesting)
I have a Dev Phone 1, I created an app for it, and I couldn't see my own paid-app on the Market. Installing the Google bonus phone firmware let me access paid apps on the Android Market.
Re:Important points (Score:5, Interesting)
It is the wrong way to go about it, but let's be honest; The only thing which they can test with purchasing is the install mechanism, and they can do that anyway. They already have their app.
Maybe not the only thing. perhaps they want to write an app that works in conjunction with another. Maybe they got a fault report that "after I installed XXX your app stopped working". I don't know how good inter-application isolation is on the Android but it is a possibility.
Re:device not banned (Score:5, Interesting)
I was going to mod you informative, but as I've just dropped 400 bucks on a Dev Phone 1, I'd rather be selfish and ask for more info on this "Google bonus phone firmware" of which you speak. So much for altruism ;-)
Paid tethering apps for ...dev phone? (Score:2, Interesting)
Also, I've noticed a bunch (at least two) tethering apps, which are (a) paid, and (b) require root access (e.g., developer phone). I wonder if there is any connection here...
Re:Single-point Rebuttal (Score:3, Interesting)
Do you really believe that not being able to buy paid apps on non t-mobile firmware constitutes as shitting on your developers?
Yes, for exactly the same reason that putting SafeDisc or SecuRom into a game is shitting on your customers. It is an ineffective means of achieving the stated goal (prevent piracy) and makes life harder for the customer. You are paying Google for the right to develop applications for their platform, and then you're paying them again for the right to test them, because you're going to have to have a separate phone. Paying to be abused? I don't fucking think so. Lots of people pirate games just so they don't have to pay. Some people pirate games simply to get a version they can play without a CD. For instance, if I had a second battery in my laptop so that I could get good runtime and couldn't mount the CD, I would have to use Daemontools to emulate the CD so that I could just play the game. Or I could just download it. At that point, giving them money is an extra step.
In summary, not only has Google forced [responsible] developers [who will properly test their software] to spend more money than the average customer when they should be making things at least no more expensive for them, Google has just created for themselves a situation where giving them money for applications from the app store is just an extra step, at least if you are tech-savvy and want the developer phone even if you only intended to noodle on it occasionally. Let's see, encouraging piracy AND discouraging proper testing at the same time? How could I possibly criticize this decision from the almighty google?
Unlock one. (Score:2, Interesting)
I live in an area that has piss-poor coverage from T-Mobile.
I wanted the G1 and considered the dev phone.
However, I did it cheaper. I bought a G1 on eBay for $329.99 (w/shipping) and paid $24.99 for an unlock code. Setup the APN info for AT&T and I have a (almost 100%) functioning G1.
I do not have 3G as AT&T uses different frequencies and the G1 cannot use them. So, I am on the Edge/GPRS network.
I have yet to get MMS working.
Other than that, I am happy. And I did it for $350.
Re:device not banned (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:device not banned (Score:2, Interesting)
There has been no firmware update for the ADP1, but one is supposedly in the works. In all likelihood, all that's needed to access paid apps is an updated Android Market application. The holiday bonus firmware quite probably has an updated market app, and thus works.
If that's true, this article is completely alarmist. I won't believe the ADP1 can't access paid apps until I hear it from Google itself.
Re:device not banned (Score:1, Interesting)
No it does not, it only allows you to see non 'copy protected' apps.
Re:Trick (Score:1, Interesting)
This is a trick. Lot of people like you are going to & purchase an app after reading the article. Hence the article.
If it's a trick, it's a pretty widespread one. I found a number of articles from different news sites making the same proclamation. I was hoping to see if any actual dev phone owners here on Slashdot could confirm it (or not!)
From the responses I'm seeing in this thread, I still don't have a good answer. I'm gonna buy the thing anyway, as soon as they get some more in stock (the site says they're unavailable until March 4th at the earliest.)