Google’s Android Market is now a pay-to-play venture for U.S. and U.K. cell phone owners. Android enthusiasts will have to deal with paying for new applications and even some of the once-free apps that made the T-Mobile G1 such an attractive product.
Before going a spending frenzy to beef up your phone, there are a few things worth noting in the Android Market Business and Program Policies.
1. Returns are short but possible.
App browsing is a breeze when all of the products are free to try, so how will that change now that some apps cost money? Well, it basically won’t. Any app purchased from the Android Market can be returned within 24 hours from the time of purchase. That means from the moment you buy that app, not install it, so be sure to install right after purchasing and make a decision on whether or not paid apps are worth keeping.
2. Reinstalls are free.
The lack of an easy method to install apps to the SD card has worried some T-Mobile G1 owners. What will happen to those purchased apps if the phone runs out of storage space or a reset is necessary? The Android Market allows users to reinstall purchased apps an unlimited number of times.
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.
4. Sexually Explicit Material is a no go.
Forget about finding Android apps to satisfy your adult content fix. The market does not permit nudity, sexually explicit material, or apps that drive traffic to commercial pornography sites.
5. You’re on your own.
Google makes it clear that they bear no responsibility in billing disputes related to app purchases. If you have a problem with a developer or want a refund outside of the 24 hour window, you must handle it directly with the developer or your credit card company.
You can read the Android Market Business and Program Policies in its entirety here.
February 16th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
It was already seen with the RC33 update that upon uninstalling an application (even free ones), the Market gives you a message saying the purchase is remembered and you can download again at any time.
February 16th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
There are alot of right decisions made here… that I think compete directly with the itunes store. I especially applaud the decisions against xxx apps, free reinstalls. I do think that there needs to be an android market online store as well, linked to your account, as the number of apps grows dramatically. Buy an app on the store, it’s linked to your account, download on phone.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
“Upgrades aren’t done through the Market”
You are kidding me, right? This needs to be rethought in order to get close to the ease of use of the Apple App Store.
“Returns” are an excellent idea. Apple should take note of this one!
July 1st, 2009 at 1:55 am
Since the 1.5 cupcake upgrade, bluetooth car kits are not working. Can someone creat a Widget to fix? Waiting for HTC/Google to patch or send a new upgrade isn't an option because none is on the horizon. Anyone working on this???