Database Users

An open letter to Google re: their C&D

I had originally posted this in Development which was the wrong place and understandably it has been removed.
Considering Cyanogen's recent tweets that he has started working on a new rom that won't violate Google's licenses, I wasn't sure I would post the letter but I have received a request. So here it is:
Google Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
U.S.A
26 September 2009
Attn: Android Development
To Whom it May Concern:
Re: Cease & Desist Letter against Steve Kondik aka Cyanogen
I've recently read with considerable chagrin about recent events concerning your actions against Steve Kondik, otherwise known as Cyanogen.
First off, I understand that legally Google has every right to take the actions it has thus far. However, as I am sure you are beginning to see, your actions are bound to have a very negative effect even for yourselves. No one denies that Mr. Kondik overstepped the line when he included applications in his customised ROM that he was not licensed to distribute. Could not your response though have been a little more constructive?
Perhaps a dialog with Mr. Kondik, explaining your concerns and perhaps coming to a settlement that saves face for both privately might have been better? Instead, this ham-handed move by your legal team has effectively stopped the Android mod community dead in its tracks and turned a fan base that was quickly beginning to grow like a yeast culture against you.
I hold some small hope that some compromise can be reached but in all truth I believe Pandora's box is now open and a trust has been broken on both sides.
Will I ride out my contract with my cell phone carrier? Yes, I hold Rogers Canada blameless in all this. Will I "protest" by buying a different phone? Unlikely since it proves nothing other than I have money to throw away. Will I ever buy another Android device? I really don't know at this stage. I feel hurt by this turn of events and can't honestly say I trust Google not to pull some other legal manoeuvre out of their bag of tricks that further cripples my "Google Experience".
You have likely lost someone who evangelised your product, perhaps a great many evangelists.
Sincerely,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Guys Cyanogen just said in IRC that he is backing down and wont be any part of a fight with Google. This cant stop us. even if @Cyanogen is backing down we the community can still pressure Google to change the policy's that stopped cyanogen. We cant give up this soon. please work with me to pressure Google.

i think these threads need to stop being posted. it create a lot of clutter. who care if cyanogen or whoever may not include google exp apps...
cyanogen is developing an app to help reinstall these apps as long as the user has them backed up. this is technically legal.

ahronzombi said:
Guys Cyanogen just said in IRC that he is backing down and wont be any part of a fight with Google. This cant stop us. even if @Cyanogen is backing down we the community can still pressure Google to change the policy's that stopped cyanogen. We cant give up this soon. please work with me to pressure Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then give google your home address and a copy of a rom you made that contains their closed apps, especially the new market (that ticked them off so much), and see if they do not doing anything to you.
I wish i could quote exactly what steve told you, but here we go to paraphrase
"what movement? start writing code or shut the [email protected]#$ up."
some where in there is a word that means copulation

its fkd up wat google did n all....but come on...its not the end of the fkn world
id hate to be at google though gettin loads n loads of emails from geeks n nerds....and normal ppl too....hahaha..... ppl saying how their feelings are hurt n they feel betrayed hahahaha
leeeeeeeeaaaavvvvvveeeee gooooooggggglllllleeeeee alllllooooonnnneeee hahahaha

Kinds sucks google did that, but yeah, just another bump in the road. Give it time.
Letter looks like fun tho. Maybe I'll change a few things and send them a copy lol, if you dont mind me stealing your words lol.

david1171 said:
then give google your home address and a copy of a rom you made that contains their closed apps, especially the new market (that ticked them off so much), and see if they do not doing anything to you.
I have only had my phone rooted for the last 5 weeks i think,in fact david1171 helped me i think and its the best thing i did with it and have only had
Cyanogen's Roms on it and am delighted because of him and others i know alot more about what my G1 can do and i have also learnt alot more in general
so i am thankful to Cyanogen for his hard work,but as the quote above puts it best. For him it might have to be over for now
so instead of all the posts saying fight google how about a few just saying "Thanks" for what he did do eh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Is it okay to download paid "cracked" apps

ummmmmmmmmmm,
I found some cracked or hacked or prepaid "what ever u wanna call it " apps in the internet. So my question is: Is it okay to download it? or i might have some problems with android or google?
Thx

Meshal-USA said:
ummmmmmmmmmm,
I found some cracked or hacked or prepaid "what ever u wanna call it " apps in the internet. So my question is: Is it okay to download it? or i might have some problems with android or google?
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's piracy.

And moreover, android people are introducing a new licensing mechanism where the app can lookup whether it's actually bought and paid for, or not - http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2010/07/licensing-service-technology-highlights.html

Meshal-USA said:
ummmmmmmmmmm,
I found some cracked or hacked or prepaid "what ever u wanna call it " apps in the internet. So my question is: Is it okay to download it? or i might have some problems with android or google?
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. post here, not bad
You think Android devs are rich people, havin houses in Hollywood Hills, right ?!
Support devs and you get good apps!

to answer your question, no it will not break your phone...as a former notorious "cracked" app downloader (since paid for the ones I support and uninstalled the ones I do not use due to my commitment to the community as a user) I can't wait for this licensing to be widespread...I see too many people handing out links to piracy sites and also linking the damn things in app comments...but yea.
it won't break ur phone...

Mokurex said:
It's piracy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reallyyyyy
rohandhruva said:
And moreover, android people are introducing a new licensing mechanism where the app can lookup whether it's actually bought and paid for, or not -
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh thx for the info
rori~ said:
1. post here, not bad
You think Android devs are rich people, havin houses in Hollywood Hills, right ?!
Support devs and you get good apps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lool ,, i am supporting the developers . that's y i'm askin. i c a lot of comments in the app when i want to download it who refer to paid apps.
AbsoluteDesignz said:
to answer your question, no it will not break your phone...as a former notorious "cracked" app downloader (since paid for the ones I support and uninstalled the ones I do not use due to my commitment to the community as a user) I can't wait for this licensing to be widespread...I see too many people handing out links to piracy sites and also linking the damn things in app comments...but yea.
it won't break ur phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's what i'm exactly asking about
thx for ur reply man. For the misunderstanding, I love android, in fact i wish it would be the best mobile software in the future "if it's not now " but android should at least do something to those people who handing out links because it's really tempting

Common Sense
Android is probably one of the platform where application are priced the cheapest I have seen, so no, downloading an pirated application will not break your phone but it will not make the android platform any better either.
If developer can't make money why would they keep trying, as an example, A symbian chess prg cost 14$, on android it's 3.99 if I remember correctly so yes I pay for my apps.
The platform is still new, it has great potential, site like the one that are advertised can hurt development badly, there's a difference into giving your sister one copy of an application you have and making it available to everybody.
both are piracy but at a much different scale!
I will be really happy when I heard that the maker of an application I use everyday has made 1 millions knowing I contributed 1$ to it...
About Google piracy solution, I would be better off without it I am against all form of DRM, we will see...
P.S.
If you press and hold on a comment you can mark it as spam in the market...

[Sarcasm] Its perfectly fine. Google promotes it and so do the developers. If you read the forum rules, you'd have never asked such an obvious question. [/Sarcasm]

P00r said:
Android is probably one of the platform where application are priced the cheapest I have seen, so no, downloading an pirated application will not break your phone but it will not make the android platform any better either.
If developer can't make money why would they keep trying, as an example, A symbian chess prg cost 14$, on android it's 3.99 if I remember correctly so yes I pay for my apps.
The platform is still new, it has great potential, site like the one that are advertised can hurt development badly, there's a difference into giving your sister one copy of an application you have and making it available to everybody.
both are piracy but at a much different scale!
I will be really happy when I heard that the maker of an application I use everyday has made 1 millions knowing I contributed 1$ to it...
About Google piracy solution, I would be better off without it I am against all form of DRM, we will see...
P.S.
If you press and hold on a comment you can mark it as spam in the market...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess u're right and thx for the info
faraz1992 said:
[Sarcasm] Its perfectly fine. Google promotes it and so do the developers. If you read the forum rules, you'd have never asked such an obvious question. [/Sarcasm]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maaan, believe me it's not what i meant . and believe me if i knew the answer, i wouldn't ask. i guess it is my mistake for not reading the rules sorry

Meshal-USA said:
ummmmmmmmmmm,
I found some cracked or hacked or prepaid "what ever u wanna call it " apps in the internet. So my question is: Is it okay to download it? or i might have some problems with android or google?
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't do it! Let's support our Android developers because by doing so the Android platform will get better and that benefits us as users. All paid apps can be refunded in 24 hours, which is awesome in my opinion because if I buy an app and it doesn't work for me I can always get a refund so I never feel like I wasted my money. So do that, buy an app, try it and if it works for you keep it. Don't pirate it. Plus you get get regular updates to your app and the latest version always by purchasing it rather than pirating.
my 2 cents

By downloading cracked apps, you'll never know what was done to the app.
It's so easy for a cracker to gain access to your phone root permissions (if you are rooted like many of us are) via a cracked app. How will you ever know?!
Unless you yourself are a developer, then you'd know what to look for.
Most users have no idea WHAT to look for, and will download a fun looking app just because their buddy recommended it. For all you know, it's sending your contact list, SMSs, and other private information to some shanty-shack in China.
That's why Google made it an option in the Android™ Operating System to allow or disallow Market Apps. I think it's great that we are allowed to do that *cough*AT&T*cough*restrictions*.

"You wouldn't download a car!"

Don't get cracked apps. They make your balls shrink or your boobs sag!
Also never ask about cracked apps on a forum with lots of developers, you won't make many friends...

While I completely agree that piracy is bad for developers and the community in the long run, it is sometimes very frustrating for users like me. I live in India and have no access to the paid apps in the market.
I would love to pay for apps like psx4droid and a good chess program, but I have no option to do that. And these apps are not available directly from the developers sites as well.
I really hope that Google opens up the market to a wider audience. It is a win-win for everybody.

vsankarn said:
While I completely agree that piracy is bad for developers and the community in the long run, it is sometimes very frustrating for users like me. I live in India and have no access to the paid apps in the market.
I would love to pay for apps like psx4droid and a good chess program, but I have no option to do that. And these apps are not available directly from the developers sites as well.
I really hope that Google opens up the market to a wider audience. It is a win-win for everybody.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't there other alternate market available like slide me etc ?
If they are not available either then I guess you are a bit more justified but you will still burn in hell
or something similar...

Can we lock this thread? The answer is morally no. Technically it will probably run but you risk a trojan and will not get updates automatically.
For people in countries without paid apps, search for Market Enabler, this has been covered multiple times in the past.

netninja said:
Don't do it! Let's support our Android developers because by doing so the Android platform will get better and that benefits us as users. All paid apps can be refunded in 24 hours, which is awesome in my opinion because if I buy an app and it doesn't work for me I can always get a refund so I never feel like I wasted my money. So do that, buy an app, try it and if it works for you keep it. Don't pirate it. Plus you get get regular updates to your app and the latest version always by purchasing it rather than pirating.
my 2 cents
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I won't
OrganizedFellow said:
By downloading cracked apps, you'll never know what was done to the app.
It's so easy for a cracker to gain access to your phone root permissions (if you are rooted like many of us are) via a cracked app. How will you ever know?!
Unless you yourself are a developer, then you'd know what to look for.
Most users have no idea WHAT to look for, and will download a fun looking app just because their buddy recommended it. For all you know, it's sending your contact list, SMSs, and other private information to some shanty-shack in China.
That's why Google made it an option in the Android™ Operating System to allow or disallow Market Apps. I think it's great that we are allowed to do that *cough*AT&T*cough*restrictions*.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
k, now i have another question. I have an unlocked nexus one, i heard i might lose my warrenty if i rooted it, is that correct or not? cause i didn't root my phone yet because of that
vsankarn said:
While I completely agree that piracy is bad for developers and the community in the long run, it is sometimes very frustrating for users like me. I live in India and have no access to the paid apps in the market.
I would love to pay for apps like psx4droid and a good chess program, but I have no option to do that. And these apps are not available directly from the developers sites as well.
I really hope that Google opens up the market to a wider audience. It is a win-win for everybody.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear that bro, and i hope android will figure smth out in the future.
JanetPanic said:
Can we lock this thread? The answer is morally no. Technically it will probably run but you risk a trojan and will not get updates automatically.
For people in countries without paid apps, search for Market Enabler, this has been covered multiple times in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
JCopernicus said:
"You wouldn't download a car!"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of'caurse
blablum said:
Don't get cracked apps. They make your balls shrink or your boobs sag!
Also never ask about cracked apps on a forum with lots of developers, you won't make many friends...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
loool, oh sorry man i hope that wouldn't happen, because i wanna be also part of this community. sorry for my innocent question
P00r said:
Isn't there other alternate market available like slide me etc ?
If they are not available either then I guess you are a bit more justified but you will still burn in hell
or something similar...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i never downloaded paid apps, that's why i asked

JanetPanic said:
Can we lock this thread? The answer is morally no. Technically it will probably run but you risk a trojan and will not get updates automatically.
For people in countries without paid apps, search for Market Enabler, this has been covered multiple times in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why r u so upset , thx for the info though

thats wut i dont like about "cracked" apps. you wont get the updates. its much more easier to pay the $3 for the app n just get notifications for updates rather than search around the web for the updated apk. in my opinion, paying the $3 is much easier knowing u will get the updates n will feel morally right

JCopernicus said:
"You wouldn't download a car!"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would if i could!

[WARNING] DavinciDevelopers steal apps from this forum !

/!\ BE AWARE OF YOUR APP, DavinciDevelopers try to steal them and sell them on the market !!
Hello guys,
Be careful, if you post an apk of your free app here, somebody will try to take the apk, remove the signature, and upload it as a paid version on the market !
The proofs : (edited to add new stolen softwares)
Llamadroid
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10113570#post10113570
- http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-kebab-llamadroid-zzjjD.aspx
(removed today, on 5th january)
Typo clock
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=814054
- http://www.appbrain.com/app/beautiful-clock-widget-3d/com.semicuda.typoclock
Iron soldiers
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=862875
- http://www.appbrain.com/app/iron-soldiers/vuxia.ironSoldiers
(removed from market today, on 5th january, but still referenced)
Championship racing 2010
- http://www.vividgames.com/sub_game.php?id=42
- http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-vividgames-championship_racing_2010-zzxwq.aspx
(removed today, on 5th january)
Liquid wallpaper
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=878252
http://www.appbrain.com/app/liquid-physics/livewallpaper.liquid
Bluetooth Scanner
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=900923
http://www.androidzoom.com/android_games/casual/bluetooth-scanner_pvqg.html
(New !! Now, we have proof that ALL his apps are stolen)
And even Gameloft best sellers (paid games) :
http://www.androlib.com/android.app...ndroid-gand-gloftspaw-heroofsparta-zjCDi.aspx
(removed from market today, on 5th january, but still referenced)
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-gameloft-android-gand-gloftavar-avatar-zjCEx.aspx
(removed from market today, on 5th january, but still referenced)
Minigore
http://minigore.blogspot.com/2009/07/what-minigore-is.html
http://www.appbrain.com/app/minigore-hd/com.ambushgames.minigore
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-ambushgames-minigore-zzjqD.aspx
Zuma's revenge
Original
http://www.zumasrevengegame.com/
http://store.steampowered.com/app/3620/
Scammers
http://www.appbrain.com/app/zumas-revenge-hd/com.popcap.zumas_revenge
http://www.appbrain.com/app/zumas-revenge/com.fox.game.zumasrevenge
How is it possible ?
Google does not check your apk signature when you upload a software.
Even if you signed yous apk with you key, somebody else can put this on his google account.
The signature can be deleted easily if needed.
He can change the title of your app, so nobody see it, but he can't change the apk name nor the icon.
Why do we post our apk here ?
To have testers, to correct bugs, to have a perfect look and feel before put it on the market.
Because on the market people are rude, we have only one chance, so we need to avoid bugs.
And when we put our app online, we want to choose if it's paid or free (with ads or not).
What is the problem ?
If DavinciDevelopers steal and upload your app, he will lock your pak name.
2 apps can't have the same name on the market.
You may have a name like com.myname.myapp.apk
Where "myname" is the same in every app you do.
If he take that, this is a major issue for you because you will be associated to him on every search (google.com, market...).
So, you will have to change your app name and maybe your company name....
Within 1 or 2 days, the market is parsed from androlib, androidzoom, appbrain... and it's done. Google.com will see those websites, and you are trapped.
You will have your buggy app on the market, some people will pay for that, the thief will have some money, and every users will have a bad opinion of your app.
Why DavinciDevelopers does this ?
To make benefit from your work.
Because he doesn't care you are working from a long time on your app.
Because he doesn't care if your work is ruined, he will find somebody else.
How can we be protected ?
Because 2 apps can't have the same name, you should put your app on the market first.
If your app is in development stage, you can upload it as "draft", so it will not be visible on the market, but the name will be locked.
Who is DavinciDevelopers ?
Somebody that have 83 apps on the market !
Almost all of them are themes.
If you look the package name you can see for example :
com.nd.android.pandatheme.p__3d_android_theme
at :
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-nd-android-pandatheme-p__3d_android_theme-qAmiz.aspx
google search : "pandatheme", first link :
http://home.pandaapp.com:888/
So he is not a developer. He makes themes with a free online tool and sell them... nice.
And for the real apps he uploaded (about 5), they all are stolen, coming from poland, germany, and other places.
Almost every of them comes from XDA dev forums.
ps : this message should be marked as sticky in every development section.

Is it worth marking all these apps as objectionable to draw Google's attention to this issue?
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

Today, 2 of those links has been removed already !
Maybe somebody sent emails to every publishers...
I hope google will understand this and ban this thief.

I have posted about it on reddit
http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/ew4e8/android_market_is_still_the_wild_west/?sort=hot
Someone who works for google replied and said they're looking into it.

@jgittins
Could you please link this post to you post ? Or give to the "google man" the list of the apps we found here ?
This kind of guy should be banned from google forever (if it's possible )
One thing I don't understand :
Google should give to every developer a private key that we could use to compile the apk.
Something we should not be able to remove.
So the developer who generates the apk could be sure it would be uploadable only into his account.
It sounds simple but...

thanaos2042 said:
@jgittins
Could you please link this post to you post ? Or give to the "google man" the list of the apps we found here ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've linked to this thread from the reddit story.
Also, you have written that Zuma's Revenge is by Blue_sprit. But the real zuma's revenge is a famous game from popcap, I think blue_spirit is actually another scammer.
http://www.zumasrevengegame.com/
http://store.steampowered.com/app/3620/

Well done post edited !

thanaos2042 said:
Google should give to every developer a private key that we could use to compile the apk.
Something we should not be able to remove.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not possible to add something, that is impossible to remove. Cryptography makes possible to check that something was created by someone, but not that it wasn't.

Dang that sucks that people are ripping dev's off. I have high respect for Dev's. Not being one, I don't know all the ins and outs of developing apps but I'm sure it's a very deeply involved process that nobody should rip off. Jeez. I hope these idiots are banned from the market. Is there a formal process that someone can start to get these apps credited to their rightful owners?

Thank you for informing the community of this!

Thanks a lot! As a developer, this information I will be very useful.

This is absolute putrid behavior. This is one of the downsides to having an open-source OS and Google being so hands-off. There better be some justice in this matter......

PS - moderators/admins should require this to be a stickie in EVERY forum

I post it to tweeter.

This is disgusting.. I will make comments on all his posted apps in the market and warn people how this guy rips them off..

jhepoy said:
This is disgusting.. I will make comments on all his posted apps in the market and warn people how this guy rips them off..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats not going to stop many people if they want the app.....thats what sucks

TopShelf10 said:
thats not going to stop many people if they want the app.....thats what sucks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if more of us from xda will post comments how douche this guy is, then maybe we could prevent others from patronizing his posted apps.. being a frustrated programmer also, I know how hard it is to code.. and I am very grateful to devs who gives us free apps over here at xda..

These davincidevelopers retards are also releasing retail gameloft games on the market, we need to stop these fuken retards, get them banned from the market.

What a penga ! We want to protect our community from the pirates, Thank you for the heads up,

Lets spam this Guy!! Anybody got his email??
Sent from the almighty Vibrant!!!

Sign petition against AT&T blocking Amazon app store

http://www.groubal.com/att-prohibits-commerce-blocks-amazon-app-store/
Send other AT&T phone owners this way too

The HSUPA Groubal got their attention - lets try this one. Yes we can root around their restrictions, but that is no reason to let them dictate unfair business practices

Download APK at https://www.amazon.com/app-email
adb install Amazon_Appstore-release.apk

chromedome00 said:
Suit yourself on what you think is stupid.... but if you like sideloading, enjoy.
The problem is that you have to sideload every single app and update after you sideload the Amazon market app. And they are not named by app name either.
But for everyone voting that this is dumb; good job! Your comment got your post count one more higher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ummm the Amazon App doesn't update from the Android market, it updates directly from their website..... whos the stupid one now?

Why petition for something already being worked on?
http://appstoreaccess.com/

Chubby_Skunk said:
WOW!!! Its at 15 signatures!! damn AT&T sure is going to change this whole thing with that many signs. This is a failed attempt. Dont be lazy, just sideload
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't have the non-market apps mod then sideloading the Amazon App store apk will not help. It will not be able to install any apps because they are non-market apps.
The only thing stupid is AT&T for removing this option to begin with.

ricethief said:
Why petition for something already being worked on?
http://appstoreaccess.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, in all likelyhood, that will only be a workaround for one particular app store. What about any other current or future app stores?
This is something AT&T just needs to give up the ghost on.

What the hell is wrong with everyone?
Why do you have to bash and curse the guy who started the petition? If you don't want to sign, then don't sign it and move along. If you want to express your opinion, do it LIKE AN ADULT. Leave the 12 yr old attitude at home.
Did the OP do something wrong? Did he insult anyone like you guys are insulting him?
This is a sharing community. Get off your high horses and start being useful.
[/rant]

Yeah, hostility levels are high on XDA. Some people don't even read the original post and post all sorts of garbage.
AT&T should stop blocking apps and the installation of apps that they don't approve of. Oh and I would be really happy if they throttled my connection down instead of charging $10 per GB. That's just an unbelievable money grab.

OR try All App Stores.apk; can be downloaded straight from market and it will take u through to get amazon app. Petition wont reach the janitors desk. Not being smart ass, just the world where we live and as of now money power and capitalism, and definitly wallstreet ceo's rule it. So who has more of those us or at&t? Even if we got enough signitures att lawyers would find loop hole or art would make a large campaign contribution and new law that bans petitions against att or something ridiculas like that. Not pesemistic just true.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

@ all - I've done some cleaning, what' wrong with everybody (seniors specially)?. Show some respect. If you want to make your point, do it...but with respect. No need to offend nobody. If you think something is wrong, do some constructive arguments.
@ Chubby_Skunk, can you please remove the gif from your sig (the one with the foul language and offensive to female users, thanks).
Thanks and back on topic.

Rad ryan said:
OR try All App Stores.apk; can be downloaded straight from market and it will take u through to get amazon app. Petition wont reach the janitors desk. Not being smart ass, just the world where we live and as of now money power and capitalism, and definitly wallstreet ceo's rule it. So who has more of those us or at&t? Even if we got enough signitures att lawyers would find loop hole or art would make a large campaign contribution and new law that bans petitions against att or something ridiculas like that. Not pesemistic just true.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
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I disagree. The HSUPA petition made the news on popular blog sistes (BRG, Engadget, etc.) and AT&T replied to the person that created the petition and finally made a public statement that they would fix it by end of April. And although the build has not been pushed, we know that 1.83 has HSUPA.
If we can get the numbers of sigs that the HSUPA one got, we should push them a bit. Consumer momentum works, and for this issue, it affects all AT&T android phones.
Besides, it takes 5 seconds to click on a box to sign the petition and there is nothing to loose.

To all Indie-developers - Google might require you to publish your real address

If you have a paid-app or an in-app-billing inside your app, you will have to put your real address to be publically shown on the Play Store .
Links about this :
http://www.xda-developers.com/andro...s-will-soon-have-to-provide-physical-address/
http://www.androidauthority.com/google-forcing-developers-to-publish-home-addresses-527772/
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...es-to-have-an-address-on-file-in-google-play/
http://phandroid.com/2014/09/18/google-play-now-requires-devs-to-make-their-home-address-public/
http://www.androidheadlines.com/201...physical-address-file-paid-apps-apps-iap.html
http://androidandme.com/2014/09/new...es-app-developers-to-list-a-physical-address/
http://www.greenbot.com/article/2685242/android-developers-must-now-list-physical-address-in-play-store.html[/url]
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2685...-now-list-physical-address-in-play-store.html
I've also written 2 posts about it here and here.
Please try to make a difference and help fight against this decision.
You can do the next things:
1. Sign a petition, here and here
2. Share, star and comment on the above links, not only those that I've found, but also on other places.
Maybe, together we will show Google that it's a bad decision, and they will give a better alternative.

Signed both. I'm not a developer, but I think it's total crap that they'd force this on people.
Not good game Google. "Don't Be Evil"

Thanks I was hoping someone would start a forum regarding this
Thanks I was hoping someone would start a forum regarding this :
This is an awful direction for Google to take the only people this hurts are the very people that made Android what it is today The " Individual " APP Developers , if it wasn't for the hobbyist and enthusiast , you know The small " Individual " APP Developers early on Android probably wouldn't of made it past Version 1.5 , it was the APPS that these " Individual " APP Developers made that gave people a want to buy an Android device and has lead to Android being the APP ECO System it is today.
Hope Google comes to their senses. . .

I understand why (reduce malicious apps) but it will also pull good indie apps.
Guess donations packs should now be sold on dev's website, without the help of Googke Play Services DRM for piracy checking.
An alternative could be Amazon's app store, but I don't know if they are indie friendly.

Magissia said:
I understand why (reduce apps) but it will also pull good indie apps.
Guess donations packs should now be sold on dev's website, without the help of Googke Play Services DRM for piracy checking.
An alternative could be Amazon's app store, but I don't know if they are indie friendly.
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This won't have any affect on malicious apps, most malicious apps are free so won't be bound to the mandatory address requirement the ones that are not free will just convert to free.
And users need to take more realisability for the content they load on their device. Really in this day in age I can't believe people still install things with out researching first.
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Free mobile app

Shame on Google.
This actually won't prevent malicious apps to be published on the Play Store, malware are usually free apps.
Instead, this put indie develepers into a risky condition, mad people at the door, harassment, in the best case "just" privacy concerns.
I can't understand this stupid decision by Google, maybe it's because of the new refund policies, refund requests after the canonical 2 hours are hanled by them, in other words they have to put the money. Forcing people to publish free instead of paid apps will make them save some money.. maybe.
However, whatever the reason, it's time they stop to make the developers pay for THEIR mistakes and security holes!

Is there a way to make it a sticky on all of the Android sub-forums, or something?
Time is running short, and I really hope to make a difference here.
I don't care even if you modify my post or make a new one.

Magissia said:
I understand why (reduce malicious apps) but it will also pull good indie apps.
Guess donations packs should now be sold on dev's website, without the help of Googke Play Services DRM for piracy checking.
An alternative could be Amazon's app store, but I don't know if they are indie friendly.
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Speaking of donations, I've tried to suggest an alternative solution in case it won't work, as a second plan, here

AndroidDeveloperLB said:
Speaking of donations, I've tried to suggest an alternative solution in case it won't work, as a second plan, here
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hey, is the thing about entering addresses still going on? i havnt gotten a notification on my google developers console to give address

Sahaab said:
hey, is the thing about entering addresses still going on? i havnt gotten a notification on my google developers console to give address
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Yes, it is.
If you go there, and click on "Announcements" , you will see it.

AndroidDeveloperLB said:
Yes, it is.
If you go there, and click on "Announcements" , you will see it.
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thanks, found it
really dont want to add an address tho XD
---------- Post added at 09:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------
AndroidDeveloperLB said:
Yes, it is.
If you go there, and click on "Announcements" , you will see it.
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lawl i dont know but i am now having trouble finding the place to put my address in XD

Sahaab said:
thanks, found it
really dont want to add an address tho XD
---------- Post added at 09:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------
lawl i dont know but i am now having trouble finding the place to put my address in XD
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They specifically say :
"
Add a physical contact address Beginning September 30, 2014, you need to add a physical address to your Settings page. After you've added an address, it will be available on your app's detail page to all users on Google Play. If your physical address changes, make sure to update your information on your Settings page.
If you have paid apps or apps with in-app purchases, it's mandatory to provide a physical address where you can be contacted, as you are the seller of that content, to comply with consumer protection laws. If you don't provide a physical address on your account, it may result in your apps being removed from the Play Store."
This means they want an address to be published for all.
In order to edit this setting, you have to go to "finance" and then to the merchant settings and then edit the address...

AndroidDeveloperLB said:
They specifically say :
"
Add a physical contact address Beginning September 30, 2014, you need to add a physical address to your Settings page. After you've added an address, it will be available on your app's detail page to all users on Google Play. If your physical address changes, make sure to update your information on your Settings page.
If you have paid apps or apps with in-app purchases, it's mandatory to provide a physical address where you can be contacted, as you are the seller of that content, to comply with consumer protection laws. If you don't provide a physical address on your account, it may result in your apps being removed from the Play Store."
This means they want an address to be published for all.
In order to edit this setting, you have to go to "finance" and then to the merchant settings and then edit the address...
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yes i read the announcement
trying to find the setting to add the address XD

Sahaab said:
yes i read the announcement
trying to find the setting to add the address XD
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attached a screenshot.

AndroidDeveloperLB said:
attached a screenshot.
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oh okay, thanks

removed since reading the suggestion.

Don't like the change.
Maybe someone started moving their apps to another stores such as Amazon?
Or even focus on IOS and not to deploy on Android anymore.
Good job Google

Generic Field said:
Don't like the change.
Maybe someone started moving their apps to another stores such as Amazon?
Or even focus on IOS and not to deploy on Android anymore.
Good job Google
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Good job, you forget IOS yearly fee.
If you can't afford a PO BOX or let's say any forwarding address yearly, can you afford IOS yearly service which is $99 / year ? Let alone you need mac OS to develop your application.
I rather to publish is in Amazon or just use any address which I have access to (maybe it is friend address or whatever) or you can use a "service" which help you to publish your app to market (but they will ask you: source code (as they will compile it by themselves), analyze your source code (make sure your code is safe), and get 20 - 25% from your revenue). If you insist to use a store: publish your application to windows phone (well good luck with visual studio license) store or incoming Tizen. IOS is not good idea if you cannot sell your apps (don't forget yearly $99).

ishengard said:
Good job, you forget IOS yearly fee.
If you can't afford a PO BOX or let's say any forwarding address yearly, can you afford IOS yearly service which is $99 / year ? Let alone you need mac OS to develop your application.
I rather to publish is in Amazon or just use any address which I have access to (maybe it is friend address or whatever) or you can use a "service" which help you to publish your app to market (but they will ask you: source code (as they will compile it by themselves), analyze your source code (make sure your code is safe), and get 20 - 25% from your revenue). If you insist to use a store: publish your application to windows phone (well good luck with visual studio license) store or incoming Tizen. IOS is not good idea if you cannot sell your apps (don't forget yearly $99).
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Well, this is not the old good war between google fans and apple fans, the point is google is going to screw up everything.
I'm totally against apple and ios but, let's face these things about them:
- they ask you a per-year fee
- they verify your app and make sure it's safe for the users
- earnings on their store is four times than the play store
So, you pay a lot but you have a good change to get the money back and, above all, you're not asked to pay in terms of lack of PRIVACY and SAFETY.
What google is doing is crazy and unacceptable, everyone (not who actually buy on the play store, everyone!) will be allowed to see your personal info and home address and, btw, it's still not clear if a PO box is allowed.
I'm not a google soldier, i like google but i won't defend them when they become so greedy and unfair that even apple appears better.

ishengard said:
Good job, you forget IOS yearly fee.
If you can't afford a PO BOX or let's say any forwarding address yearly, can you afford IOS yearly service which is $99 / year ? Let alone you need mac OS to develop your application.
I rather to publish is in Amazon or just use any address which I have access to (maybe it is friend address or whatever) or you can use a "service" which help you to publish your app to market (but they will ask you: source code (as they will compile it by themselves), analyze your source code (make sure your code is safe), and get 20 - 25% from your revenue). If you insist to use a store: publish your application to windows phone (well good luck with visual studio license) store or incoming Tizen. IOS is not good idea if you cannot sell your apps (don't forget yearly $99).
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Isn't Apple's share of revenues from the app the same as Google's - 30% ?
Anyway, I got a weird reply today from Google on their Google groups:
https://code.google.com/p/android-developer-preview/issues/detail?id=1340#c22
to comply with consumer protection laws in different jurisdictions, you may be required to provide certain business contact information, including email and/or business address. Please speak with your legal representative on the different types of information that can be used. As an example, for more information on the types of business contact information that can be used, the European Commission has provided official guidance that may be helpful.
ec.europa.euhttp://ec.europa.eu/justice/consumer-marketing/files/crd_guidance_en.pdf
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Can I understand from it that an email is enough?
Also, how come I can't (as a user) see any app's address on the play store? Not even of Google's ?
Is it possible it's available only in certain countries? Maybe only in the EU ?