
This is not good news for developers, but I think google is trying to do everything it can to have a smooth launch. After seeing what has happenned with Vista, Google executives are probably a little worried that a few minor problems can be blown up pretty quickly if you don't have everything tested pre-launch. A flood of third party apps that have not been tested on hardware, could cause bad press that may point the blame at the OS itself. This is the safe approach, but I am beginning to feel like Google is starting to tighten the reins on an open OS. This behavior is starting to remind me of the closed system that Apple is running. The openness was supposed to breed innovation, but I have n't seen too much support from Google for developers, other than a few contests. There needs to be more incentive to develop for the Android platform, which means that Google has to quickly find a way for developers to get paid. Launching the Android market with only 13 apps and the fact that they are all freeware, does n't help out developers in anyway. Some developers have been working for a year already and now Google is taking away the possibilty for developers to sell their apps on launch day, when the market is hot. Google needs to get shareware and commercial software on the Android Market, ASAP. The whole idea of the carriers dealing with the developers is a joke! That is the last thing that I want to do. Do I really want to deal with 13 different carriers? I don't really think Google has a plan in forthis or it would already be in place. The Android Market like most Google products will probably be in beta indefinitely. The Android Market is where I want to sell my apps, but sadly I will be stuch with Handago as the only place where I will be able to sell my apps on launch day.
Nevin
p.s. I am hoping for change, but not very optimistic.