Is Google pulling tethering apps from the Android Market?

by Joshua Topolsky posted Mar 31st 2009 at 9:55AM

According to folks over at Android Community, Google has begun to pull tethering applications from the G1's Market. One of the contributors to the "WiFi Tether for Root Users" app claims that the company is citing distribution agreements with carriers as the cause of the takedowns. In their words:

Google enters into distribution agreements with device manufacturers and Authorized Carriers to place the Market software client application for the Market on Devices. These distribution agreements may require the involuntary removal of Products in violation of the Device manufacturer's or Authorized Carrier's terms of service" Google Developer Distribution Agreement

Of course, this should come as quite a surprise, given statements T-Mobile's Cole Brodman made to us during the G1 launch last year, and Google's seemingly rampant interest in being the de facto open source mobile OS. It's not clear at this point if this is an isolated incident (possibly related to the root nature of the app), or just the beginning of a more widespread move. Google (and T-Mobile to some extent) -- we await your response.

[Thanks, Chris]

Filed under: Handsets, Software, HTC, T-Mobile, Android

Tags: android, android market, AndroidMarket, applications, apps, g1, google, market, t mobile, t-mob, t-mobile, tether, tethering, TMobile

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Dan @ Mar 31st 2009 10:24AM

Lame :(

Low Ranked

mingkee @ Mar 31st 2009 10:57AM

this is a good reason to stay away from Android: security, because Google can mess your phone through anus

Neutral

reuthermonkey1 @ Apr 1st 2009 11:48AM

They're not uninstalling the app from your phone, genius. They're merely not allowing it to be sold on the Market. You can still easily go out and download the apk installer file from anywhere else.

Highly Ranked

justin @ Mar 31st 2009 12:52PM

It is really not that bad.. all that it means is that the Android Market cant have them bc of a tmobile gripe (probably noticed a big spike in traffic) BUT IT doesnt mean that you can have those apps, as the beauty of Android is the abilty to have alternate app stores (slideme.com is a decent one) so it means nothing to the persistent tetherer... I actually have 2 APK's on my sd card that turn my phone into a wifi hotspot.. one that was free in the market and one that cost 8.95.. thats the beauty of apps in the Android market that are meant for Root users. they usually dont have the copyright ( or security tag that stops people from copying it) but i actually dont even use the 8.95 app, i actually like the free one better..

Neutral

MBN @ Mar 31st 2009 12:58PM

Boooo!

Neutral

Codey H. @ Mar 31st 2009 1:18PM

Doing what's best for the carrier... what a concept.

Neutral

Mark M @ Mar 31st 2009 4:30PM

Its all Apple's fault

Neutral

Jason @ Mar 31st 2009 7:49PM

What I want to know is why is the G1 being singled out? A selling tool for the TMO Blackberries is the fact that they "can be tethered to a computer for no extra charge" and that comes straight from the mouth on my TMO Rep. Everyone of my TMO Reps have said the same thing. I wonder if this has anything to do with them getting into the aircard game. I guess you can't allow your users to get unlimited internet for a measly $24.99 or $34.99, especially when AT&T and Verizon (the biggest competition) charge users $60 to tether with a computer and institute the 5GB cap.

Neutral