Android Gets Carrier-Operated European App Store

Andrew Smith writes "Android fragmentation begins: EuroDroid reports that Vodafone will launch an Android app store in June, to fill in the European gaps where Google hasn't yet launched the official Android app store. Worrying quote: 'All apps will be pre-selected and tested by [Vodafone's after-sales processor] Arvato Mobile for compatibility with our devices.' Just a few days ago Slashdot covered the suggestion by Barry O'Neil, ex-president of Namco Bandai Network Europe, that it could be wise for Google to 'hand over the entire management of the Android Market to carriers, OEMs, and trusted publishers.'"

Comments

Re:Is it really fragmentation?

[mlts]

The other shoe may drop soon. Already some Android devices lock out "sideloading" of non-Market apps. Other devices are rumored to lock out both sideloading and access to the phone via ADB, both in an effort to prevent people from rooting the device, and as a way to limit options.

So, I can see some cellphone providers (not naming names) locking out all app stores and ADB on their devices, then only allowing apps to be downloaded from their store... and of course the apps are not going to be free.

Advantageous to non-nerd vodaphone customers

[owlstead]

So Vodaphone customers can buy apps that have been tested on their device and without paying by credit card (I presume it's harder to steal money from them this way). Of course, if you can't use other app. stores, then this might be a problem. But I wonder if Google would allow companies to use the Android name if it cannot connect to their marketplace.

If anyone has more info on whether it will be the only app. store configured/configurable, please let us know.

Re:Advantageous to non-nerd vodaphone customers

[gbjbaanb]

I suppose it makes sense - there's an 'app store' for android, but what about stores for apps that are built for a particular device, or have capabilities offered by a particular carrier?

In these cases, I think its a good thing to allow multiple app stores for the phones. Android is not like the iPhone in this regard - but then, if you have an iPhone, there's only 1 type of device you have.

Not fragmentation

[pavon]

When you say that a software ecosystem is fragmented, it means that applications written for one target device/distro/whatever, won't work on another without changes. The degree of fragmentation is how much effort is required to support each target.

Having separate app stores does not create fragmentation, as any user can still get the applications elsewhere. This is like saying the sky is falling because Walmart and Target both exist and sell different products, rather than there being one official retailer at which all comrades must shop. There is convenience in having everything in one place, but it also has problems with consolidation of power. This can be abused to force people out of the market, as Apple has demonstrated wonderfully. Even if the one true app store has an open and fair policy at first, time changes everything, so the ability to get apps in other manners is essential.

For the convenience of their customers, Google should open the main app store to worldwide ASAP, but it does take time to wade through the legalities of that. Till then, these other repositories can fill the gap, and the fact that they can exist at all is great.

all because Google's market is crap

[ConfusedVorlon]

I'm sure the carriers would attempt to muscle in anyway, but there would be less room for them to make this move if Google did a better job with the market.

Here are just a handful of ways the market is crap

1) No way to browse on the web and download to your phone. I can't even post an http link to my app that will work on the desktop and on the device*.
-Apple does it through iTunes
-Palm does it by sending you an sms link to your phone

2) Actually, you can't even browse the appstore on your desktop without going to some third party scraped site. I challenge you to find VLC Remote on the android.com/market

3) Developers have to price apps in the currency they live. Seriously - I live in the UK, so you have to buy my app for £x. It's insane. And particularly after apple have demonstrated a simple tier-based model that is simple for consumers

4) Loads of countries just can't buy stuff. If this is hard for you google - just talk to Mobihand or one of the many mobile app-store companies who have figured out how to take international payments

5) Even if your country does support sales, the international billing means that credit cards keep getting declined (us credit cards don't want to authorise $1 for an international sale via google checkout).

This would be excusable for a few months as the store rolled out.
It is long past a joke now.

*I built a site that at least lets you create an http link for your android app which will work on the device and on the web.
http://and-download.hobbyistsoftware.com/

Blame the Gooooog

[anarche]

So I've been trawling the android forum, and apparently the lack of market app in certain countries is due to the carriers removing the market from the firmware. Reflashing the firmware apparently includes the market irrespective of location:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=77c72b9d5214d01b&hl=en.

also worth noting (for those of us with the market) - check out ePetition Open Android, a petition to google to ensure everyone gets the market