Google’s Android operating system may be open, but even a company as large as Google has to protect the good ol’ bottom line in tough times. Splattering everything possible with advertisements is one thing, but preventing those with an $399 HTC G1 unlocked developer phone from downloading paid Android applications is another thing all together. And not one that’s said well with those who dished out the four bones.
The reason Google has chosen this path is because unlocked G1 owners have root access to its Android operating system, which means they could get around the copy protection built into paid apps. T-Mobile G1 owners don’t have root access.
As far as I know Google hasn’t officially responded to the issue yet, though I’m sure the company will, given Android app developers are rather ticked they can’t download their own apps and feel branded as pirates.
To rub salt in the wound, it turns out that T-Mobile G1 owners that have unlocked their handsets to enable root access can still download paid apps for the time being.