Google's slow hand makes HTC Desire and Legend phones unable to see copy-protected apps

Google’s slow hand makes HTC Desire and Legend phones unable to see copy-protected apps

April 20, 2010 | by Andrew Kameka

A number of HTC Desire users are complaining about being unable to download certain apps from the Android Market. I first discovered this problem when several multiple readers complained that our recently covered RunKeeper wasn’t appearing in the Android Market, and I couldn’t figure out why. After some quick searching, I came across an AndroidGuys post that discovered the apparent problem.

The HTC Desire and Legend are having trouble displaying copy-protected applications because Google has yet to update its ROM database. Every phone operates on particular software (ROM) that has an identifier which allows the Android Market to know which apps that phone is allowed to see. The problem is that Google has yet to update the Desire and Legend’s identifiers in its database, causing users of either phone to be unable to see certain copy-protected apps. That means RunKeeper, Layar, Twidroid, and other apps that have copy-protection will be unavailable for download until Google fixes this problem.

Remember, this is the same problem that we discovered back in November when Sprint Hero and Droid Eris users were unable to see certain apps because of this same issue. HTC has done all it can and is simply waiting for Google to flip the switch and make copy-protected apps visible once again. Let’s speed this up, Google!

[Google Support via AndroidGuys]

android market, Google, HTC, HTC Desire, htc legend

8 Comments

waltman says:

April 20, 2010 at 11:28 am

Is this story accurate? I’ve downloaded and installed both layer and twidroid on my new desire…
- thegadgetdude says:
  
  April 20, 2010 at 3:42 pm
  
  I have as well but i cannot get access to the skype app, google earth and many more. (using Desire in UK on T-Mobile)
- @steve228uk says:
  
  April 21, 2010 at 11:29 am
  
  If you're running on Orange for some reason you don't get this issue, that ROM seems to be different.
Victor Chen says:

April 20, 2010 at 3:58 pm

This problem also exists on the Xperia X10. Man, google needs to get their act together.
matt says:

April 20, 2010 at 12:20 pm

The article is correct. Copy protected apps can not be seen on desire. As for the reality browser, I don’t think its a protected app.
Aidan says:

April 20, 2010 at 6:19 pm

I haven't been able to find some apps on mine since getting the Desire. An example of this is the National Rail app.
Austin says:

April 24, 2010 at 5:40 pm

I think the problem is more complicated than just the Copy Protection. Since I have had reports about people that cannot find my apps which have Copy Protection off. I have seen a mention here (http://www.androidcentral.com/anroid-quick-app-where) that suggest its per carrier and what they 'want' to allow. I dont have any opinions on the issue, I would just like to see it solved. I am a developer this kind of stuff makes my job a whole lot harder.
- Runalisa says:
  
  June 7, 2010 at 10:31 am
  
  My HTC legend android market is not working…….i can download ne app from thr …its not downloading…can anybody help me how to correct this????

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