Google: Augen's Use of Android Market Unauthorized

[kjk]

http://blog.laptopmag.com/google-aug...t-unauthorized

We decided to take our question to Google and ask them if Augen was allowed to install the Android Market and other core Google apps and a spokesperson responded that “Augen included proprietary Google software in their product via an unauthorized vendor. Google only licenses its software to partners and OHA [Open Handset Alliance] members directly.”

Wonder what steps Google will take at this point.

We also have to wonder how something with unlicensed and potentially illegal software on it could end up on the shelf at K-Mart. We doubt that any national chain store would stock PCs with a pirated or hacked version of Windows.

[volwrath]

Heh that is interesting

[devilsadvocate]

Wonder if that's why it doesn't work out of the box...

The story behind this thing just keeps getting better.

[toddos]

It doesn't work out of the box because it doesn't have an Android Phone ID and there's no way to create one from the device (because it's not authorized to access the market). If you already have an ID from another phone, or can create one using the dev emulator, market works great. There's a cache size issue (cache is way too small, causing downloads never to start), but if you're good about periodically clearing that Market is usable. I'm trying to get into the habit of clearing the Market cache every time I finish downloading stuff. It's possible that it will fail on items that are too large for the cache (big games?), but so far I haven't run into anything that wouldn't download after clearing the cache.

The hacking community has a temporary fix (has to be re-applied every time you reboot), and that will almost certainly turn into a permanent fix shortly. Or you could wait for Augen to address the issue.

[clintbradford]

One review stated that all these Kmart wonders have the SAME MAC address - indicating the units were just copied (literally) from some pirated master unit in the factory.

[toddos]

Originally Posted by clintbradford

One review stated that all these Kmart wonders have the SAME MAC address - indicating the units were just copied (literally) from some pirated master unit in the factory.

Having the same MAC address is true. Whether or not it's from a pirated master unit, I don't know. My guess is that it's a testing MAC address that Augen didn't have a chance to change because KMart rushed them to release early. Hopefully an update will take care of it. If not, the hacker community will sort out a software MAC address change eventually.

[murraypaul]

It can't be doing any good for Android's image for the first tablets to be this shoddy. When is the first 'real' brand name tablet due to be released?

[devilsadvocate]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

It can't be doing any good for Android's image for the first tablets to be this shoddy. When is the first 'real' brand name tablet due to be released?

It's not just Augen, they just seem to have garnered the most press. I took a stroll through Amazon to see if anything like this was already available (after all, if one company can do it...)

It appears Samsung will be the first "real brand name tablet": http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/07/30...-announcement/

[toddos]

Does the Dell Streak 5" count as a tablet?

Also, the problem right now is caused by Google. They don't let tablet manufacturers use Google Market (or other Google apps), and at least until recently they were requiring tablets to run 1.6 rather than 2.1. If Google would loosen that up some, this wouldn't be an issue. But right now, they seem anti-tablet.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by toddos

Does the Dell Streak 5" count as a tablet?

Also, the problem right now is caused by Google. They don't let tablet manufacturers use Google Market

Since Google only licenses apps to OHA members, it is really the fault of the device manufacturer for not joining OHA. Any of the manufacturers in the list at the following link should be able to provide devices with Market and other Google apps that are legally licensed. Android is open source, but the Apps apparently are not.
http://www.openhandsetalliance.com/oha_members.html

[Dopedangel]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

Since Google only licenses apps to OHA members, it is really the fault of the device manufacturer for not joining OHA. Any of the manufacturers in the list at the following link should be able to provide devices with Market and other Google apps that are legally licensed. Android is open source, but the Apps apparently are not.
http://www.openhandsetalliance.com/oha_members.html

Google are going to allow android for tablets from gingerbread (next version)
before then any and all devices might come out but none of them will actually be
a real android (google approved Tablet).

[clintbradford]

>> ... t can't be doing any good for Android's image for the first tablets to be this shoddy ...

I think the Android-interested-populace is smart enough to realize that it is not the OS' fault that the product is poorly produced.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by clintbradford

>> ... t can't be doing any good for Android's image for the first tablets to be this shoddy ...

I think the Android-interested-populace is smart enough to realize that it is not the OS' fault that the product is poorly produced.

That's fine if you are aiming for a niche product for the tech-savvy, but I'd think Google would be hoping and expecting for mass market acceptance, and that includes good word of mouth amongst those who don't know much about the product.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

That's fine if you are aiming for a niche product for the tech-savvy, but I'd think Google would be hoping and expecting for mass market acceptance, and that includes good word of mouth amongst those who don't know much about the product.

Considering the Augen was being sold at K-Mart, I'm guessing you are right about the mass market approach in this case.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

That's fine if you are aiming for a niche product for the tech-savvy, but I'd think Google would be hoping and expecting for mass market acceptance, and that includes good word of mouth amongst those who don't know much about the product.

Actually, the Android products produced by OHA members are doing very well with consumers, with 886% year on year growth so far this year.
http://www.canalys.com/pr/2010/r2010081.html
If Augen and others are actually pirating license protected applications like Market, then perhaps the only recourse that Google has to protect it's reputation would be to sue those companies that distribute products using unlicensed applications?