Mark Murphy wrote: > Switching my branch of this thread to [android-discuss] since I'm > meandering away from developer Q&A... > > Ahhh, the joys of subscribing to both :), next time I'll check the header.
> Al Sutton wrote: > >> As I read it that clause has two effects; >> >> 1) It is against the Marketplace T&Cs to provide users with a fully >> functional time limited trial version. So users have to buy the "upsell" >> option without being able to test the pay-for features. >> > > I'm not sure I follow your argument here. Quoting from the clause: > > >> This is not intended to prevent distribution of free trial versions > >> of the Product > >> with an "upsell" option to obtain the full version of the Product: > >> Such free trials for Products are encouraged. > > The bit I'm referring to is; "You may not collect future charges from users for copies of the Products that those users were initially allowed to download for free" As I see it this means that if I allowed you to download the fully featured app for free I can't give a 30 day trial period after which you have to pay up or uninstall it. >> 2) All app payments are locked into Googles payment system, which stops >> developers putting even a paypal link in their app behind a "Buy the >> full version button". >> > > Right now, this is the far stickier wicket to me, considering that there > is no "Payment Processor on the Market". I suppose this is why there are > all those "Free Trial Period Ends XXXXX" items on the Market today. > > Though, at least this clause suggests that the Market will eventually > have a Mogees-esque payment API; otherwise, I don't see how they could > support the free-trial scenario. > > My concerns are twofold; 1) They are locking out competition, so everyone wanting to use Marketplace is stuck with the Marketplace payment handling charge which is currently well above offerings from other companies. This is never a good thing. 2) It gives Google indirect control over what can be sold and who can sell. This type of approach is already being used to stop all Chinese developers listing apps in Marketplace (because the sign-up payment system won't accept payments from them), going forward who knows what other restrictions may be imposed. >> 2 is >> against developers best interests (why should they be forced to use one >> payment systsem). >> > > They're only forced to use one payment system *on the Market*. I've seen > nothing in the Market T&Cs that precludes the existence of, say, > AndAppStore or for apps distributed by same to use services like, say, > Mogees. > True, but how many developers want to integrate multiple payment solutions?, one of the main things I like about Mogees is that you integrate it once and you can distribute via any site you want, which Marketplace T&Cs seem to be trying to stop, > It is definitely disappointing. I suspect it's a requirement by the OHA > carrier partners; otherwise, they'd never get their cut of the app > purchases, as people would route around it on the Market itself. > > Compared to iPhone, there are two bright spots: > > 1. There *are* alternatives (AndAppStore, etc.), versus the "App Store > or bust" iPhone model > > Very true, but Marketplace does have a hugee advantage of coming pre-installed and therefore in every users face. That said the AndAppStore.com on-phone client is freely available to anyone who wants to bundle it with their hardware/distribution so that may change :) > 2. There are even scenarios under which Android Market becomes an > afterthought. Android Market gets its power from being included on > carrier-distributed handsets. However, there is no requirement that > handsets be obtained from the carrier. If device makers (Asus, I'm > looking at you) can create compelling devices that are bought direct > (e.g., an EeePhone), more people might start getting their devices from > places other than carriers. Since Android is open source, there is no > requirement for a device maker to only distribute the Android Market; in > fact, they might not even be *able* to distribute the Android Market if > there are carrier exclusivity terms tied to it. This opens the door for > alternative, less-restrictive markets -- an EeePhone could have a folder > full of markets, if it chose. > > Very true, here's hoping especially since I've yet to find the market client in open source repository hardware vendors/distribution rollers will look at other options :). Al http://andappstore.com/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Discuss" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-discuss?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
