DISQUS

steveoliverc · 2 months ago

Google checkout and its failings are IMO the #1 hindrance to the success of the Android Market. First of all, it should work (duh), and secondly, people should be able to use PayPal, or (ideally) bill to their mobile carrier's account.

Steve O'Hear · 2 months ago

Google, like Apple with iTunes, wants to own the customer billing relationship. But I agree, Checkout should work, and other options should be provided. I feel sorry for developers until this is fixed.

E Kristopher-Hartley · 2 months ago

Sorry to hear you're having difficulties with the GMail part of the Android OS Steve. I must admit I quite like the fact that clicking on the notification takes you to your inbox, it's particularly useful if you get 2 or 3 emails at once and it means that you can head back to the inbox just by clicking on the back button (rather that that selfsame back button taking you straight back to your desktop!) Of course, like all interface issues, I realise that YMMV.

I was however surprised that you have difficulties with the Notification bar itself, I've actually found the opposite to be true, sometimes it's just too sensitive and moves down when I was scrolling. But then again I'm on a G1 so I don't know if the Magic is maybe a little "stickier"

I'm with you 100% on the updates issue though. Having to check the permissions again and again as well as that annoying "Verifying Credit Card" screen that you get when updating paid apps. (I know you're having problems with that so sorry if it seems that I'm rubbing salt in the wound!) - The Verifying Credit Card message has caused a few people on the market to object to being charged twice (even though they aren't) so it's definitely not the most efficient way to handle updates.

I'm also a bit confused with the problems that you've had with the Google Checkout. You mentioned that you don't have a Google Apps for your domain account. I use my @aol.com email address to log in to all of my Google services - including Checkout so I'm wondering if this is a more specific issue. Have you tried contacting Google about this to see if it's a known issue?

But, all in all, thanks for writing this. It's great to find out other opinions about Android and the only way that it's going to improve is if people speak up!

Ethan

Steve O'Hear · 2 months ago

Thanks for your comments and thoughts. I agree that the back button should take you to the in-box not the homescreen, so if my method was used that would also need to be the case.

My Google Checkout account is linked to a non Gmail address but it's not accepted by Android Market. No idea why.

Steve O'Hear · 2 months ago

Forgot to add: the Magic's screen is less sensitive right at the edges, so maybe that's my notifications draw problem. I'm currently testing the HTC Hero, and what they've done with Android's UI is fantastic. Definitely restores my faith in what is possible with Google's OS.

Janko · 2 months ago

I'd really like to see Google's apps work better together on Android. One example: Addresses in GCal aren't linking to Google Maps. Works fine on the web, so why not on Android?

mlahmaydi · 1 month ago

I want to add one more item to this list: TouchDown. It is a poorly written application. I suggested to them to add a feature like the one watchflag has, but I didn't get any replay. I am moving away from Android.

JustInCase · 2 weeks ago

I Really Want You To STFU