Develop Bugs

[UPDATED] Android Market Apps I bought for my Hero: Are they "paid for" on my Desire?

[UPDATED] Android Market Apps I bought for my Hero: Are they "paid for" on my Desire?
Updated April 18, 2010
Now I get it. See Post #6 below. Google's dragging their ass on "fingerprint" approval. They need to be SHAMED virally across the web for sheer incompetence -- or intentional malice toward purchasers of a phone that competes with their Nexus One. "Do No Evil" my ass.
========== My Original Posting =========
I bought maybe 6-7 apps for my hero -- 2 different keyboards, "Executive Assistant", some kind of alarm clock... When on my Hero, even after factory reset and resetting up my phone, when I went to MARKET and "My Downloads", those paid for apps showed up as available to install again on my Hero.
I have been using my Desire -- but thus far only for Wifi as I set it up and get acquainted with the phone. Perhaps stupidly (!) I am still using the Hero as my "phone" til I have all my apps and widgets and layouts replicated on my Desire.
Though I do not have my carrier's SIM card installed in my Desire, 90% of the device works fine, especially all wifi usages, Market downloads, email, web, etc... I did set up my Gmail account as well.
It's one's Gmail account which is your linkage to PAID FOR apps, via Google Checkout. So, I am surprised that when I select "My downloads" i don't see any indication of paid for apps.
Is this tied to a SIM card? (if so seems ridiculous)
RELATED: I can't even find BETTER KEYBOARD app in the Market now, nor "SMART KEYBOARD" ... Does the market auto-filter out apps that do not run on Android 2.1 ?
thank you

the paid apps are tied with your google account.

(no longer relevant)

From what I read, some paid and free apps should appear as soon as google finishes some signature thing related to that! so it's a matter of time.
By the way, do you see paid apps in general? For me, I always had to use Market Enabaler on the Hero to open Market to paid apps.
A temporary solution, you can use your Hero to extract the paid applications (apk files) using Root Explorer, copy them to the Desire SD card and install them using any file manager. The only limitation here is that you have to keep checking for updates on the Hero.

Re: Android Market > Apps I bought for my Hero: Are they "paid for" on my Desire?
as far as I know, and experts correct me if wrong, the ability to get access are directly connected to the sim from which you connect.
which is why market enabler used to spoof the apn's from which paid apps were available.
with no sim card you should only be able to get free apps or nothing at all.
I live in Sweden, no paid apps.
was at friends last night who has an old UK sim card, popped that in and I got access to some paid apps. but still with the limitations as previously discussed in this forum. (waiting for Google to get it straightened out)
so, yes & no, the apps are tied to your sim, cuz it tells the phone which apn/ network your phone is connecting from...
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

I just read a few other threads, with links to the official Android Market forums. First off, I have to ask some basic vocabulary:
What are "protected apps" ?
I have no idea what this means.
Second: salahag, thanks for your reply. I didn't respond initially because I didn't understand it at all. Paid apps showed up in my Hero from day 1 and that was for me October 2009. I was baffled because I had no context for even thinking "is everything that's available showing here?" because by default my brain had no reason to pose that question. I just assumed the Market worked one way, and I was seeing everything the way everyone else sees it.
I'm suddenly quite baffled by this emerging mystery now that I can't find a bunch of apps for my DESIRE. But now the mystery of "where are my paid apps that I bought on my Hero?" is solved, replaced by "why are hundreds of apps that were available on my Hero not available on my Desire?"
XDA-devs to the rescue, via another thread here about "Missing apps in the Market" linking to this posting in Android Market forums:
by nprussell - 4/8/10 (LINK to this posting at Android Market forums)
Hi all,
I'm an Android developer from the XDA forum & VillainROM.co.uk. I've primarily worked on the Hero, but I received my Desire yesterday.
I can confirm that I too am missing several apps from the market. I also have an answer to your question.
First things first, it's protected apps that are missing from the market. There are generally two reasons why apps will be missing from the market.
(1) When a new ROM/Phone is released, the manufacturer, in this case HTC, sends the build to Google, which includes a 'Fingerprint' (a unique line of text which governs its market access) in the build.prop file. Generally, it states the name of the phone and Android version in the fingerprint. With Root & system write access, this fingerprint can easily be changed... but we don't have that luxury right now.
Once Google approve the build, the fingerprint will be added to their allowed database to view protected apps on the market.
(2) The other cause for apps missing from the market in builds (such as twidroid, layar, barcode scanner etc) is that these apps require permissions to use the camera/auto focus. They are NOT protected apps. If the XML permission files are missing from system/etc/permissions, then Google Market will simply block these apps from showing.
So again... to answer your question... we'll see the protected apps as soon as either:
a) HTC chase up Google
b) Google get around to activating the fingerprint
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Un-frikkin-believable.
It's like the equivalence of a dumb low-IQ bureaucrat holding up a long line for Drivers' License renewals at the "Department of Motor Vehicles". No reason at all for the stupid delay other than some asshole letting some work order sit on his desktop til he feels like getting to it.
No wonder the author (gogol) of that other related thread recommends consumer activism or we just stand in line each time and just wait to get ****'d in the ass by beaurocratic process that sounds WAY more like Microsoft than "the smartest guys in the room" at Google -- who pride themselves on only hiring Ivy-league grads and equivalents, like from Stanford. They ought to be ridiculed out of town with this.
gogol writes: I really cannot believe Google screws this great Android platform like this. Think about the next firmware update, from Google or HTC ... We will AGAIN get this issue ... Then wait again very long. I am really mad and hate this.
If one of you guys is capable of writing a good professional article or blog regarding this issue, we could spread the voice all over the internet / twitter / facebook / blogs / news so Google could "end" or "fix" this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm game to SHAME GOOGLE into getting their f-ing act together or be ridiculed for incompetence -- everywhere we can post that message on the web. And they have the nerve to criticize APPLE for their ridiculous App Store totalitarianism?
.

xrrkrrkx said:
I live in Sweden, no paid apps. Was at friends last night who has an old UK sim card, popped that in and I got access to some paid apps. but still with the limitations as previously discussed in this forum. (waiting for Google to get it straightened out)
so, yes & no, the apps are tied to your sim, cuz it tells the phone which apn/ network your phone is connecting from...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you clarify this further. Thank you for information related to SIM card needing to be in use in order to access paid apps -- god only knows why -- it's retarded to me.
But is it correct that I have read other places that there are LOCALIZATION ISSUES? where some apps are only available to certain regions? (Like YouTube does) -- Or can you shoot that one down as rumor. I don't get this. Open source OS. Google's entire revenue model based on ads. More phones = more ad impressions = more money to Google. What possible motivation is there to block access to apps in a marketplace that I am willing to pay for -- where Google gets % of all sales, as well as transactional revenue thru Google Checkout? -- Something doesn't make sense. And usually when that's the case, SOMEONE IS BEING PROTECTED in some corporate deal.
What's the story. Is this another CARRIER-TAINTED example of holding customers hostage? If so, I can't wait til the day we can blow up that Carrier-driven model that strangles the free marketplace. They should make it or break it based on direct delivery of services at competitive pricing. I am so tired of Boardroom Protectionist Policies agreed to by major competitors, to ensure a baseline profit well above anything deserved if there was open competition. ... But I could be off on my little side rant and it has nothing to do with this issue, in which case, .... ooops. sorry

salahag said:
From what I read, some paid and free apps should appear as soon as google finishes some signature thing related to that! so it's a matter of time.
By the way, do you see paid apps in general? For me, I always had to use Market Enabaler on the Hero to open Market to paid apps.
A temporary solution, you can use your Hero to extract the paid applications (apk files) using Root Explorer, copy them to the Desire SD card and install them using any file manager. The only limitation here is that you have to keep checking for updates on the Hero.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks - I never even thought to do this. Rooted my Hero, copied the apks (they're in /data/app-private) to the Desire and installed. I now have National Rail and Locale Lockscreen back again
Ta.

you can use your Hero to extract the paid applications (apk files) using Root Explorer, copy them to the Desire SD card and install them using any file manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant to ask: Is Root Explorer an app from the Market (I'll check of course), and does it only work on rooted Heroes? Mine is unrooted. But I have used Astro app many times for moving stuff from my computer to Hero, and now my Desire. So, it would just be a matter of my knowing which folder/directory to look in on my Hero to access the .apk files.
(EDIT: I see now from daern above: they're in /data/app-private ... well Astro Explorer shows me root folder and data folder but both say "directory is empty", so I am guessing unless I root my Hero i can't access this stuff... right?)
So, thanks from ME also!

Easy. Install "InstantRook.apk" on the Hero (Google for it, download directly to the device and run from Astro).
Once installed, it will announce "your device is rooted". Now fire up Root Explorer and note that you can see the /data folder. Copy the private apk files to /sdcard and away you go.
It really is as easy as that. It may stuff your Hero (it didn't affect mine in the slightest) but as I'm assuming that you're replacing it anyway, the worst it would require would be a hard-boot anyway.
Took < 5 mins

[Q] Need to create an apps that is for or agents, and not for everybody else

Is there a way of creating and deploying an wp7 app that would be only available to our company agents.
As far As I understand this you can only deploy any app via the Market Place - this is useless for any internal business application.
Do I need to wait for better mobile device management or is there away around this ?
Any pointers appreciated guys.

Two ways to do it, the way I see it...
1. Add the program to marketplace, but require an registration number to be inputted in the program for it to work.
2. Side-load it

tiwas said:
Two ways to do it, the way I see it...
1. Add the program to marketplace, but require an registration number to be inputted in the program for it to work.
2. Side-load it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2 won't work, as it could be redistributed.
1 might, but we all know how well registration models work (cracks)
this might be a job for phone-home drm.

tiwas said:
Two ways to do it, the way I see it...
1. Add the program to marketplace, but require an registration number to be inputted in the program for it to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would probably be the best, especially considering that your agents probably need to login anyway.
But I think that you won't pass certification if they can't test the app.
I don't know what your company does, but maybe you could release an app that is many targeted at your customers and everyone could use. This app could then have a hidden setting to enable special functions after a agent has logged in.

Microsoft are planning on supporting this in the future, their current suggestion, IIRC, is to use some sort of login though.

[Q] RuFraud - How do you identify if an app is malicious?

Hey Guys,
A lot of the mobilephone blogs today are buzzing with the RuFraud Malware that was detected by Lookout Mobile and later taken down by Google from Android Market. About 22 odd apps which included apps & games too. According to Google, the end-user can see the services the apps will use before installing it in Permissions, but I usually don't go through them while installing as do most other end-users.
Now my concern is, if I've installed one of these "malicious" apps without knowledge and I want to detect that and delete them off the phone, is there any way to do so? I've performed a full-scan (SD card also) with avast! Mobile Security BETA (which btw, is kickass) but it hasn't detected anything.
I could also go through the Privacy Advisor feature on it, but that would mean me checking one-app-at-a-time which may take a while seeing as I have over 400 apps.
Anyway to detect the malware that apparently sends bulk premium SMS and racks up a huge bill? I don't have premium TXT enabled on my service since I am on Prepay & usually don't send any premium TXT but it would be nice knowing that my phone is malware free.
Any inputs would be appreciated.

well, i don't do any banking on my phone, i'm on pay as you go with the BEST mobile network...Three.co.uk...so i just whack on 15 quid a month and get unlimited everything......so i personally couldn't give a to** if any malware get's on my phone....
....nothing to get off my phone, unless they like sexy birds dressed in santa outfits, then i'm screwed, coz i'll cry if i lose them
I'd say, chill, don't be too paranoid.....b4 you download and install, look at reviews of apps......if it's only recently been uploaded to market and has no/not many reviews....google it first.
I allegedly have warez markets on my phone....allegedly.....and have never had a problem.
All I use my phone for is 99.999999% of the time browsing bulls**t on the web, messing about with fun apps, very rarely use texting or calls......so not worried.
But if your one of those that uses your phone for business/work/banking/etc...and have credit/debit cards stuff stored on there, then google the f**k out of any new app with no or few reviews....get 4,000 different virus and malware scanners on there.
Oh god, i'm dronning on and don't even know what i'm talking about now....arrghhhhh.
matt

w3bhax said:
Hey Guys,
A lot of the mobilephone blogs today are buzzing with the RuFraud Malware that was detected by Lookout Mobile and later taken down by Google from Android Market. About 22 odd apps which included apps & games too. According to Google, the end-user can see the services the apps will use before installing it in Permissions, but I usually don't go through them while installing as do most other end-users.
Now my concern is, if I've installed one of these "malicious" apps without knowledge and I want to detect that and delete them off the phone, is there any way to do so? I've performed a full-scan (SD card also) with avast! Mobile Security BETA (which btw, is kickass) but it hasn't detected anything.
I could also go through the Privacy Advisor feature on it, but that would mean me checking one-app-at-a-time which may take a while seeing as I have over 400 apps.
Anyway to detect the malware that apparently sends bulk premium SMS and racks up a huge bill? I don't have premium TXT enabled on my service since I am on Prepay & usually don't send any premium TXT but it would be nice knowing that my phone is malware free.
Any inputs would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best advice is to look at the permissions the app wants. You say mist end users don't, well then they get what they deserve really. Not being mean its just that if you keep important info in your phone then you should be more careful about what you install as a simple uninstall may not remove any malware that was installed by the app. This reason is a huge deal for Android users. Too many people wanting simple and easy and well we all know Linux based OS are neither

zelendel said:
Best advice is to look at the permissions the app wants. You say mist end users don't, well then they get what they deserve really. Not being mean its just that if you keep important info in your phone then you should be more careful about what you install as a simple uninstall may not remove any malware that was installed by the app. This reason is a huge deal for Android users. Too many people wanting simple and easy and well we all know Linux based OS are neither
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I hear you. I usually don't check permissions cuz I install apps & uninstall them after I'm done with them. For eg: a game, etc. So yeah. I did find my Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit app that I paid for on Market, infact has SMS permissions. It says "malicious apps may send SMS to premium numbers" lol when I downloaded this app, it said the dev was Electronic Arts too.

[Guide] Activate Windows 8 Permanently

UPDATE: Personalization does NOT work in METRO. Everything works flawlessly and I tend to stay in desktop mode so I didn't realize this. DESKTOP MODE CAN BE PERSONALIZED. This still gives you enables everything I wanted so I don't see the problem. My metro background doesn't matter to me. I can also just install a win7 start menu, but again I have no issues and this works flawlessly.
A tool called "Windows 8 Activator For Build 9200 (Sep 2012)" (Google it, LINK BELOW) will permanently activate Windows 8. Specifically the latest build. Just run it and follow the simple instructions.
MOD EDIT: WAREZ LINK REMOVED

atrix4g18 said:
Let me know if we can't post this guide even though it is just providing information and no links to anything.
A tool called "Windows 8 Activator For Build 9200 (Sep 2012)" (Google it, LINK BELOW) will permanently activate Windows 8. Specifically the latest build. Just run it and follow the simple instructions.
If this doesn't comply with forum rules let me know. There is another thread describing how to remove activation watermark and notification, this does the same thing but actually removes it instead of hiding it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The comments seem to be all over the place, I don't see definite proof it will work.

Isn't this classed as warez and is completely banned by xda, why would you want to steal windows 8 anyway? The upgrades only like £20 & I've tried the rtm on a friends pc, its awesome!
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda app-developers app

eZaCx said:
The comments seem to be all over the place, I don't see definite proof it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
idk what to say. I'm no expert tell me a way to show you that my windows 8 copy is fully activated and I'll show you. It worked perfect you dont't need anything complicated. It opens command prompt and works.

scaryshark said:
Isn't this classed as warez and is completely banned by xda, why would you want to steal windows 8 anyway? The upgrades only like £20 & I've tried the rtm on a friends pc, its awesome!
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understood. However for people who want to use all the features so they download the newest build (9200) but they run into activation watermarks and notifications. When Windows 8 comes out (October 26th) aka a long time from know, I will most likely buy a licence if not a Surface.
For now however this works. This gives you Windows 8 as it will be on October 26th. working perfectly. I have it on my Acer Aspire One 722 netbook and it works flawlessly AMD has a consumer driver preview for Windows 8 and everything runs smooth.

Apparently this still won't let you personalize. OP pm me plz.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

ptesmoke said:
Apparently this still won't let you personalize. OP pm me plz.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do people mean "won't let your personalize."? Is there something I am missing?
Also OP, how do you know it was permanently installed, and not 90/180 days?

>Isn't this classed as warez
No, it's classified as malware, as in "let's infect all the dumb pirates desperate for keys". Kiddies need to learn about social engineering at some point, and this is a good time as any.

ptesmoke said:
Apparently this still won't let you personalize. OP pm me plz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem here, please contact me if you found a solution.

it doesn't let you personalize because Win8 isn't really activated, even though the messages tell you it is. The system files have been tempered with. Read more on MDL about this. It has been shown many times that it fakes activation.
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/th...if-any/page466?p=630762&viewfull=1#post630762
if you do a sfc /scannow and reboot you will see that your system is not activated. If you feel comfortable with it you can keep the files, however you need to realize that you are in fact not activated.
(to find out whether personalization works or not, got to the metro screen, move mouse bottom right corner to open settings in the charm bar, at the bottom you see Change PC settings, try to personalize Lock screen, start screen, account picture - if you are activated you have no problems here, if you are not it's likely greyed out)
best solution to get activated at the moment is to wait for a KMS server or wait until Oct26 to purchase it. You can try to register a PC you may purchase or already purchased here and hope that you only have to pay $15 when it comes out (for a PC you haven't actually purchased). It may or may not work. Many believe that MS won't be able to check that many registered PCs to see if these have actually been recently purchased. We will see.
good luck

eZaCx said:
What do people mean "won't let your personalize."? Is there something I am missing?
Also OP, how do you know it was permanently installed, and not 90/180 days?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows, not the program confirmed it was permanently activated. This is not kms... this is all done locally.

e.mote said:
>Isn't this classed as warez
No, it's classified as malware, as in "let's infect all the dumb pirates desperate for keys". Kiddies need to learn about social engineering at some point, and this is a good time as any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
484 thanks? And you are that ignorant? Please grow up. This requires build 9200. Not the consumer version and it works flawlessly.

9200 build, is it a final version ?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

derausgewanderte said:
it doesn't let you personalize because Win8 isn't really activated, even though the messages tell you it is. The system files have been tempered with. Read more on MDL about this. It has been shown many times that it fakes activation.
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/th...if-any/page466?p=630762&viewfull=1#post630762
if you do a sfc /scannow and reboot you will see that your system is not activated. If you feel comfortable with it you can keep the files, however you need to realize that you are in fact not activated.
(to find out whether personalization works or not, got to the metro screen, move mouse bottom right corner to open settings in the charm bar, at the bottom you see Change PC settings, try to personalize Lock screen, start screen, account picture - if you are activated you have no problems here, if you are not it's likely greyed out)
best solution to get activated at the moment is to wait for a KMS server or wait until Oct26 to purchase it. You can try to register a PC you may purchase or already purchased here and hope that you only have to pay $15 when it comes out (for a PC you haven't actually purchased). It may or may not work. Many believe that MS won't be able to check that many registered PCs to see if these have actually been recently purchased. We will see.
good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I am not losing any functionality however so can you explain more? I don't see that personalization menu but I can personalize themes and stuff exactly like windows 8. Games work, net framework is functioning so I don't see what I'm missing out on...

UPDATE: Personalization does NOT work in METRO. Everything works flawlessly and I tend to stay in desktop mode so I didn't realize this. DESKTOP MODE CAN BE PERSONALIZED. This still gives you enables everything I wanted so I don't see the problem. My metro background doesn't matter to me. I can also just install a win7 start menu, but again I have no issues and this works flawlessly.

atrix4g18 said:
UPDATE: Personalization does NOT work in METRO. Everything works flawlessly and I tend to stay in desktop mode so I didn't realize this. DESKTOP MODE CAN BE PERSONALIZED. This still gives you enables everything I wanted so I don't see the problem. My metro background doesn't matter to me. I can also just install a win7 start menu, but again I have no issues and this works flawlessly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the more important point is that you are not activated. System files have been replaced and sooner than later with a Windows Update these files will be fixed. Just letting you know and that you are aware of it. The system "fakes" activation - period. It spoofs some strings and flips some "switches" to make things appear that you are activated when in fact you are not.
You can do everything else without Win8 activation as well and use the system forever. You have the watermark and a reminder to activate. You can remove the watermark and activation reminder with the remover somebody made . However, that patch will not report that you are activated, it will only remove watermark and bypass activation message. Your OP reports on a nasty (not only my opinion) patch that replaces some system files that actually fake activation. You should at least change the statement that it will permanently activate Windows8, this is not true and has been proven to be fake (see MDL posts).
I personally don't like patches that replace system files that I am not aware of and that claim to give you activation when in fact it replaces text within dll's that fool you. If you want to be informed on how to activate Win8 I suggest reading the MDL forum about Win8 activation.

atrix4g18 said:
484 thanks? And you are that ignorant? Please grow up. This requires build 9200. Not the consumer version and it works flawlessly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as much as I don't like his attitude, he is correct that it is malware.

It is not ACTIVATED! I downloaded to try and downloaded Microsoft something. I forget what its called but it checks for stuff on your computer that is not activated and Windows 8 was on there and said Windows 8 is not genuine. SO there you go.
I did manage to activate it permanently though by getting a serial number off a youtube vid and activate via UK Microsoft number and worked WITH personalize working!!!!

THIS IS ILLEGAL. DO NOT POST CRACKS FOR ACTIVATING WINDOWS.

Carbon Twitter client pulled from the Marketplace??

The other day I was toying around with my 800, and at some point Carbon started giving me an error while refreshing the timeline. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it, but after removing it I realized I could no longer find it on the Marketplace. This surprised me quite a bit, so I grabbed my gf's 710 and looked for it but no luck, the app was still missing. Can you guys find it on your Marketplace? Maybe it's just a random bug, but it's weird to get it on two different phones I guess. I also tried to reinstall it through the browser but it doesn't work. I just hope the developer hasn't pulled it for some reason because this is possibly my favorite app, I totally can't live without it.

I found Carbon in Marketplace but it says that "This app is not available for your device. Tap here for more info."
After clicking on the "tap here..." it said:
App not available
This might be because your phone software needs to be updated, the app is exclusive to a different mobile provider, or the app is not available in your region.
------
The latest user review was on September 21...
-------
I own a Nokia Lumia 800 and I also tried it with my Dell Venue Pro...
On a side note, if you really need an alternative Twitter client, you can try Twabbit - its been touted in the web as an alternative to Carbon. Dunno though since I'm not really into twitter.

KimWinter said:
I found Carbon in Marketplace but it says that "This app is not available for your device. Tap here for more info."
After clicking on the "tap here..." it said:
App not available
This might be because your phone software needs to be updated, the app is exclusive to a different mobile provider, or the app is not available in your region.
------
The latest user review was on September 21...
-------
I own a Nokia Lumia 800 and I also tried it with my Dell Venue Pro...
On a side note, if you really need an alternative Twitter client, you can try Twabbit - its been touted in the web as an alternative to Carbon. Dunno though since I'm not really into twitter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback. Yeah I somewhat managed to grab a direct link to the app on the marketplace from an app review site, it gets me to the app but then it behaves exactly like yours. I've bought Rowi for now, it's pretty similar to Carbon, not as good as the real thing tho
I'll try to emal the developer anyway, I'd love to know what's going on, I paid for the app after all, so I'm supposed to be able to use it no matter what...I'll post the answer here, just in case someone else is interested.

Damn, it really seems like the Carbon team left WP, this sucks....
http://www.wpcentral.com/carbon-windows-phone-leaving-android-not-looking-back

That's a bummer...I'm curious, will you be getting your money back? I mean you paid nearly $2 for the app and suddenly you now won't be able to use it? Or was it your fault for uninstalling the app so they now owe you nothing?
I'm just asking because I also bought (some fairly expensive) apps on Marketplace. What happens if they suddenly jump ship?

KimWinter said:
That's a bummer...I'm curious, will you be getting your money back? I mean you paid nearly $2 for the app and suddenly you now won't be able to use it? Or was it your fault for uninstalling the app so they now owe you nothing?
I'm just asking because I also bought (some fairly expensive) apps on Marketplace. What happens if they suddenly jump ship?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess we're pretty much screwed once it happens...I managed to get my money back for some Android apps when their devs stopped supporting them, but I don't know anything about WP, I'm afraid we won't be as lucky here...
Sent from my Lumia 800 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

This really is a huge issue isn't it?
With Apple and Android, once you buy an app you can then back it up to your PC. You "own" that local copy and can use it forever. With WP7 if a developer pulls an app, it's gone permanently if you ever uninstall or reset your phone.
Also this has happened quite a few times with a few different developers. I'm curious as to why they don't just leave it up and available to download, even if it's now unsupported? I can only presume that it's not making enough $$$ cover the annual developer subscription fee, which is weird; he only need to sell roughly 75 copies *yearly* at $1.99 to turn a profit.

Yeah, I thought that with the official Zune software from Microsoft, you can back-up your apps ala iTunes (with iOS apps). I'm using Windows Phone Connector for Mac and it doesn't really make back-ups. Can't we use Skydrive to make back-ups? Finally, we have the purchase history tab on windowsphone.com right? Then we have the option to reinstall an app via that website - I haven't tried it yet though so I cannot really say whether it works or not.
But Microsoft really has to address this issue - otherwise users might feel a bit cheated (even if its only for $0.99)

KimWinter said:
Yeah, I thought that with the official Zune software from Microsoft, you can back-up your apps ala iTunes (with iOS apps). I'm using Windows Phone Connector for Mac and it doesn't really make back-ups. Can't we use Skydrive to make back-ups? Finally, we have the purchase history tab on windowsphone.com right? Then we have the option to reinstall an app via that website - I haven't tried it yet though so I cannot really say whether it works or not.
But Microsoft really has to address this issue - otherwise users might feel a bit cheated (even if its only for $0.99)
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I tried the windowsphone.com method but it only works if the app is still on the Marketplace. It's not even a backup, it's more like a remote access to the Marketplace with the history of your downloads. I really hope Microsoft will offer better app backup solutions in the future, right now I must admit the situation flat out sucks.
I even tried to restore a Zune backup in order to go back at the time when the app was still installed the other day, but apparently it failed because once the phone rebooted nothing had changed. Wtf? Now even Zune starts acting up?
Sent from my Lumia 800 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

KimWinter said:
Yeah, I thought that with the official Zune software from Microsoft, you can back-up your apps ala iTunes (with iOS apps)
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Click to collapse
Nope. You can make a backup of a system image, but by restoring you lose all your currect settings, newly installed apps and it can't be restored to a new phone.
Skydrive does not offer backups unfortunately.
KimWinter said:
But Microsoft really has to address this issue - otherwise users might feel a bit cheated (even if its only for $0.99)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears they have; in WP8 you can back up everything to Skydrive, including what appears to be apps. Unfortunately WP7 is now end of life, so unlikely it will ever be fixed for current users.

Sucks, i thought it had dissapeard after flashing 7.8 but i see its not.