Dell confirmed to PhoneNews.com that, much like the Motorola Backflip, the Dell Aero will be prohibited from running unsigned Android applications.
The company refused to comment on the reasons why, but the reason is quite clear; AT&T. The company refuses to allow unsigned applications to run on any Android device launched by the carrier.
To Google’s credit, the chief developer of Android wants no part of these restrictions, and is refusing to put the “with Google” branding on Backflip or Aero. Still, legal questions loom large for device manufacturers willing to consent to these hinderances. As Android touts a gatekeeper-less universe of open application development, these changes make it questionable if users should be notified pre-purchase about said hinderances.
Verizon Wireless notoriously got into similar trouble when hindering Bluetooth on the Motorola V710, causing the company to add a paragraph of legalese and statements to every Bluetooth-enabled phone’s product page and packaging. Will AT&T be forced to make similar warnings about Android phones?
The answer to that question is probably one class-action away.
Good for you google. Google phones are suppose to be open. Screw att. I’m sticking with Sprint who allow your phones to do everything they were designed to do. At least verizon stopped doing this. When are companies going to learn. Look at the lashback from windows 7 announcing they were closed… its not even released yet and lots of people are already saying they wont use it because of that. When are these companies going to learn. The consumer has a lot of power now a day.
FORGET THE AERO-
BRING ON THE SUPERSONIC/EVO!!!
Time for me to get a Nexus One then, I suppose.
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[…] a little bad news for potential owners of the Dell Aero, as sources indicate that the phone will follow the path of the Motorola Backflip, and will not be allowed to run […]
I am all for an Android users boycott of AT&T.
Androids are data hogs.
That wll leave more useable bandwith for the users with iPhones and the iPads.
Sent from my 3GS iPhone.
It surprises me everyone is so surprised by this. AT@T has had a long standing relationship with Yahoo and Apple of course they will have to gimp these phones. If you want real android on at@t then go to Google and order the nexus one
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No serious Android fan would want to use AT&T anyway.
[…] Read […]
[…] AT&T's other Android phone, the Motorola Backflip. According to PhoneNews.com, the Dell Aero will not allow for installation of applications that do not come from the Android […]
[…] other Android phone, the Motorola Backflip. According to PhoneNews.com, the Dell Aero will not allow for installation of applications that do not come from the Android […]
[…] as AT&T prepares to launch the first Android-powered Dell smartphone (the Dell Aero), Phone News confirms with Dell that the Aero also won’t allow unsigned applications: To Google’s […]
[…] Following suit with the Motorola BACKFLIP, the recently announced Android powered Dell Aero will not support unsigned applications. Even though the Dell Aero was not seen on the showroom floors of CTIA, the longtime PC maker didn’t comment about their reasoning of not allowing unsigned apps – although it clearly looks to stem to just one culprit. Wireless carriers have long been able to sway their might and wants to the hardware manufacturers out there and it almost looks as though AT&T put their foot down about the situation. Sometimes in order to get handsets out there to customers, manufacturers might be willing to do absolutely what is necessary that’s dictated by the wireless provider – and that’s the situation we face with the Dell Aero; unfortunately. Even though there have not been any official sales figures released about the Motorola BACKFLIP, we’ll eventually see if this justification may have any impact on the overall sales of this eventual handset. source: PhoneNews […]
This is the stupidity that drives away early adopters. I may be leaving AT&T because of this. I want an Android phone and I want to put whatever apps I choose on the phone.
Come on AT&T get your head out of the sand and lets get with the complete unemcombered Android system. And what’s the deal with you being So Slow on introducing Android phones???
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