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AT&T Ironing Out Kinks for Off-Market Apps

Mar 28, 2011, 5:51 PM by Eric M. Zeman

Historically, AT&T hasn't permitted non-Android Market apps to be installed on its Android devices. This was underscored last week when Amazon introduced its own Android app store. AT&T customers were effectively blocked from accessing the apps available from Amazon. AT&T appears to have a change of heart brewing, however. "AT&T plans to offer the Amazon application store for Android smartphones and we're working to give our Android customers access to [other] third party application stores," the company said in a statement. "This requires updates to our systems and finalizing arrangements with Amazon." AT&T had previously contended that off-Market apps presented a security risk to Android handsets. The company didn't indicate when this change might take place. It also didn't specify which non-Market sources it would trust, aside from Amazon's.

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furyx639

Mar 28, 2011, 8:29 PM

The Official Android Market poses a greater risk to users.

So far, only allowing Market apps hasn't been a successful measure in reducing the presence of malware on Android phones since they are so easily accepted into the Market.

Amazon, on the other hand, at least has an approval process for their Market. Maybe AT&T should make Amazon the official and block the official Market.

Black_Beard

Really?
Are you sure Google doesn't have an approval process, cause Ive heard they do.......

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Jayshmay

Here, you should read this!

https://www.phonescoop.com/news/discuss.php?fm=m&ff= ... »

zataralee

Mar 28, 2011, 6:10 PM

Stupid AT&T

😡 It's not like they or anybody blocks "non-trusted" software on net books or PCs. These days android phones are just small PCs. It has always been the users job to protect their own device or PC and watch what they do and don't put on it. If you buy a laptop and Best Buy and then you get some virus on it, YOU pay to have it fixed if you don't have the skills to fix it yourself!! At&t WE DON'T NEED YOU TO PROTECT US!!!! YOU WILL NEVER STOP THE ROOTING OF PHONES IF YOU DON'T WISE UP!!

Jayshmay

You have made all good points. I hate carrier control!

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mycool

Mar 28, 2011, 11:36 PM

Hmm

What business is it AT&T's to decide which App markets are available on the phone. Carriers and Manufacturers need to stick to their roles:

Carriers need to worry about providing service and manufacturers need to worry about providing devices. Sure, they can offer their own software solutions, such as how they have Apps that let you check your usage and the such. But, stay out of the decision of what software is available on what device!

island-guy

I do agree that carriers should not exclude apps from their devices without some darn good justification. I despise the fact that certain apps are arbitrarily kept from my motorola atrix but in all honestly, they are not apps that I cannot live withou...
(continues)

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