Steeler wrote: > I didn't get a definitive response last time I posted this question > (there were a lot of "I'm pretty sure"s and some arguments between > posters), and bumping topics doesn't really work on these boards, so > I'll ask again. > > Let's say I get a T-Mobile G1 used off eBay (so assume it could have > any version of Android ever officially put on G1s). Will I be able to > test my apps on it WITHOUT: > > -Loading a leaked or otherwise illegal OS > -Buying any sort of voice plan whatsoever* > -Buying any sort of data plan whatsoever* > > The asterisks are there because if there was some sort of one-time > purchase under $50 I could make (prepaid SIM or whatever) and then be > able to use the phone for testing all I wanted after that without ever > paying again, that would be perfectly acceptable. > > Definitive responses would be very much appreciated.
You *never* need a "leaked or otherwise illegal OS" to test your apps unless your apps require a "leaked or otherwise illegal OS", which is unusual. To put it another way, I have written three books (with ~100 sample apps) and a couple of apps on the Market (under consulting agreements), and I have never touched a "leaked or otherwise illegal OS". If I can make it this far without one, you can too. With respect to the voice/data plan, if the phone is new (or, presumably, was factory reset), you may need it, long enough to initially set up the phone. Once you go through the registration process, you won't need it again. If you have a friend, Roman, or countryman who has a GSM phone with a data plan, borrow his or her SIM for five minutes and you're set. Whether there *is* a registration process varies by device. I have two HTC Heroes and one HTC Tattoo, none of which required a data plan for registration. The Tattoo was even bought off of eBay. OTOH, my G1 did (IIRC, it's been a while), my Google Ion did (but it came with 30 days' support), and the Verizon DROID I just bought did. The ARCHOS 5 Android tablet isn't a phone, so you definitely do not need a voice/data plan with it, since there is no such thing. That's the extent of my fleet, so I can't speak regarding the Samsung devices, the CLIQ, etc. I use a T-Mobile pay-as-you-go SIM on occasion with my test devices, though it does not appear to offer wireless data. But, you don't need the SIM after initial setup, assuming you can get by with WiFi. -- Mark Murphy (a Commons Guy) http://commonsware.com | http://twitter.com/commonsguy _Android Programming Tutorials_ Version 1.0 In Print! -- 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=.
