Dear Google: Why the hell can't I sell in the marketplace?

Submitted by James Purser on Sun, 27/06/2010 - 05:17

Hey Google,

Look, I have to say, I love the Android. It represents all that Apple is not, a truly open platform that lowers the barrier of entry for new developers across multiple industrial segments (you know, phones, tablets, tv's and so on).

However I had to do something I really didn't want to yesterday. I had to buy an ipod touch so I could start learning how to code for the iphone family. Do you know why? Because I can't sell apps in the android marketplace, and neither can anyone else unless they're in a very small group of countries. Sure I can distribute apps for free (which I will be doing once the openaustraliasearchdroid and planningalertsau apps are at version 1.0) but seriously, if you want to tap that market of iphone developers, you're going to have to open up the market.

Why can't I sell any apps? Is it due to the fact that the Google Checkout system doesn't appear to support Australian merchants either? I've tried looking for an official explanation but I've struck out. There's lots of assumptions and rumours, but nothing there to re-assure people that the issue is going to be dealt with soon.

Look Google, I like you (I don't trust you completely, but that's another story). I love Wave, Gmail and your search rocks my world. Hell I've interviewed twice with your unique HR process. The people I've dealt with in Google have been decent, enthusiastic and knowledgable, let's not let a simple thing like a borked marketplace programme  get between us hey?

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Comments

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 27/06/2010 - 08:20.

http://market.android.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=137996

Submitted by James Purser on Sun, 27/06/2010 - 09:36.

 You're allowed to purchase through the Google Checkout system, but as far as I can work out, you can't actually be a merchant.

Submitted by snerd on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 01:19.

Google Checkout has been EN/US only for years now, and I've never gotten anything but stony silence as to either the reasons or any possible timetables. Maybe they don't want to piss of paypal, who knows.

Submitted by James Purser on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 03:21.

 Yup and for everything other than the Android market it still is restricted to the UK/US. However for the Market they've managed to pry it open a little bit more.