[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] v.vibrate(ANNOY 0):
Well, I've done my bit. Apologies for the long-windedness:

Hi Mark,

Apparently, I'm not alone with this incident:

http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=19744

It looks like this is specifically related to the screen density / DPI settings.

If the constraint is, in fact, policy-based, I suspect the decision was arrived at out of concern for support costs due to incompatibility issues.

I might challenge this aspect with the following facts from my own experience:

1. Every single app. that initially complains of being incompatible at 220 DPI and which has subsequently been down-loaded after I've switched my device to 240 DPI has been running flawlessly after I switch my device back to 220 DPI.

So, if there is a genuine technical incompatibility due to DPI settings, no incidents have been manifest in my experience so far. This is without exception. (At least 15 applications...)

2. Whether or not Google view Android in this way, certainly the consumer-base has expressed a strong value-perception in Android's flexibility and 'openness'. -A policy-based constraint surrounding a user's choice of DPI would certainly work against this value perception.

3. I have seen some developers express concern and dismay in the forums that while their applications are compatible with devices running screen densities <> 240 DPI, that they should be missing revenues due to Android Market constraints that are not clear to them. -Is it certain that a) the developers are well aware of the process to allow Market to make their apps 'compatible' with Samsung Galaxy S2 devices running non-240 DPI screen densities? and b) is this process working as expected?

At the moment, one outcome is that the consumer base is constrained from customising their devices' screen densities without paying a time / inconvenience penalty imposed by the manner in which Android Market is functioning. Another outcome is that hard-working developers are missing customers who, like me, may not bother making impulse purchases due to the inconvenience imposed by Android Market.

A genuine concern for the compatibility and stability is laudable and understandable. However, I also believe that this could be addressed with a warning and, perhaps a capture, of the situation. "Warning, the vendor has indicated that your device has not been certified in its current configuration. Do not expect support for this application from Android Market or the vendor should you choose to proceed... Your device will only be supported should it be demonstrably compliant with the following configurations...." -However, not allowing the consumer to assume these risks by denying the capability to download seems quite extreme, at best.

Addressing the exposure to increased support costs due to 'potential' incompatibility is a bit like curing the disease by killing the patient, no?

Perhaps it should be the role of Android Market to make greater strides to add value to both the consumer-base and the vendors by facilitating outcomes both parties wish to achieve?

For what it's worth, I am currently using Android Market ver. 3.3.11 and I still cannot download applications unless my DPI is set to 240. -Other than this inconvenience, my Samsung Galaxy S2 is running in a very stable and high-performance manner in its current configuration. In other words, the only thing I find displeasing about my experience at present, is the constraint imposed on me by Android Market.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

Matt Wood.

On Thu, Nov 3, 2011 at 5:41 AM, Android Market Support <android-market-support@google.com> wrote:

Hi,

Have you installed an Android operating system on your device that has not

been authorized by your device's manufacturer? I can troubleshoot your

issue to the best of my abilities, but please be aware that unauthorized

operating systems (custom ROMs) may have limited functionality due to the

compatibility of the device. For best results, I recommend using the

authorized Android operating system provided by your manufacturer that can

be obtained from their website or your carrier.

http://www.samsung.com/uk/galaxys2/

Please be aware that app developers can choose to limit the availability

of their apps in several ways, including by geographic location, screen

size, Android OS as well as other device-specific features, such as pixel

density. If an app you're looking for is missing, please contact the

developer of that app to find out if the app is available in your location

and for your device.

Please note that the Android Market app on your device will filter out

apps that are not compatible with that particular device. If you visit the

Android Market on the web and can see the app there, then it means that

the developer has specified features or locations that don't match your

specifications.

If you're sure that you're missing an app that you should be seeing,

please let me know, and I'll be happy to investigate further.

Regards,

Mark

The Android Market Team

Original Message Follows:

------------------------

From: MatthewGWoody@gmail.com

Subject: Your question about Android Market

Date: Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:21:01 +0000

>

>

> AutoDetectedBrowser: Google Chrome

> AutoDetectedOS: Windows 7

> Description: I have the luxurious capability to change the display

> resolution (DPI) on my device. This is good. However, when I change it

> from anything but the default 240 dpi, Android Market punishes this

> behaviour by telling me my device is no longer compatible with any of

the

> applications. -This forces me to change the DPI back to 240 prior to

> download...and then back again.

>

> I cannot tell you how many times, I simply say 'forget it, I don't need

to

> buy this app...it's too painful and annoying to change my DPI back and

> forth...'

> IIILanguage: en

> IssueType: market_phone_tablet

> Language: en

> android_app_name: ALL

> android_os_device: 2.3.7

> android_os_other: Cyanogen

> device_manufacturer: samsung

> device_manufacturer_other:

> device_model: I9100 Galaxy S2

> first_name_optional: Matthew Wood

> hidden_country: GB

> phone_issue_select: other

>