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It’s not often that anyone accuses Google of launching a half-baked idea, but the Google Android Dev Phone 1 has certainly become a sticking point in Google’s handling of the Android Market and paid Android applications. A new firmware update for the Android Dev Phone 1 finally gives users access to premium Android applications in the Android Market. But, only if the apps aren’t protected by Android’s copy-protection scheme.
The Android Dev Phone 1 (ADP1) is sold at a premium $400 price because its firmware comes out of box with full root access to the file system. Android developers presumably need this kind of access in order to really dig into their work in making Android apps. Unfortunately, access to the file system root could potentially allow a nefarious user to copy premium Android application files off the handset and pirate them outside the Android Market. Google initially responded to the loophole by blocking the Google ADP1 from accessing any for-pay applications in the Android Market, to the dismay of the Android development community. We’re sure Android developers were none too pleased to find that they barred from accessing their own premium Android apps.
With the release of this first ADP1 update, Google has compromised and opened up access to un-protected premium Android applications. The update also enables Voice Search support and fixes some random bugs.
The release of the update is forward progress for Google’s Android community. Still, we have to imagine that limited access to paid Android apps is a disappointing compromise for Android developers that paid the premium for the ADP1. Especially since you can hack your way to root access on your G1…
Find the ADP1 update here.
[Via: Phandroid]
About The Author
Will Park
Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...
