Kindle Fire Shows Android Cross-Market Problem; Nook Tablet Limits Revealed

I wrote about the Android app TouchDown by NitroDesk as an ‘App I Can’t Live Without’, so naturally when I got my Kindle Fire, one of the first things I did was load up TouchDown from the Amazon Appstore for Android to configure my work email account.

The problem came when I went to switch from a ‘trial’ to licensed mode. On any other Android device I would simply download the TouchDown License from my ‘purchased apps’ on the Android Market. But, since there is no access to the Android Market, I couldn’t do that on the Fire. Further, when I asked the developers, they said that different terms and conditions and contractual details between markets means that my Android Market version is no good on the Fire – I had to pay $9.99 again! In this case it was a no brainer – I like the Fire enough to keep it for a while, and when I label an app as a ‘system seller’ you can be SURE I will be willing to pay $10 to keep it available!

Add to this the word that the Nook Tablet is limited to 1GB on-board storage for non-B&N content, and that it might be non-hackable, and you have a very ‘caveat laden’ new set of tablets vying for the consumer space this holiday season.

We knew these things were full of compromises – but with each passing day we learn of more and more compromises!

What do you think? Does any of this stuff concern you or put you off buying one of these for the holidays?

About the Author

Michael Anderson

I have loved technology for as long as I can remember - and have been a computer gamer since the PDP-10! Mobile Technology has played a major role in my life - I have used an electronic companion since the HP95LX more than 20 years ago, and have been a 'Laptop First' person since my Compaq LTE Lite 3/20 and Powerbook 170 back in 1991! As an avid gamer and gadget-junkie I was constantly asked for my opinions on new technology, which led to writing small blurbs ... and eventually becoming a reviewer many years ago. My family is my biggest priority in life, and they alternate between loving and tolerating my gaming and gadget hobbies ... but ultimately benefits from the addition of technology to our lives!

1 Comment on "Kindle Fire Shows Android Cross-Market Problem; Nook Tablet Limits Revealed"

Anonymous | November 18, 2011 at 10:54 am |

It doesn’t change my opinion because it’s 100% what I expected when these devices were announced. I think they are both good devices and deals for someone that is new to Android, wants a tablet and doesn’t mind being locked into a specific ecosystem. However, for those of us that are familiar with Android, to me it’s a no brainer to spend the extra $50 – $100 and pick up an HTC Flyer for $299 at BestBuy. For a small amount extra you get the full Android Experience without any of the built in limitations of the Nook or Fire. By the time you get done repaying for applications, or spending hours rooting and hacking the device you will have spent the difference in money or time and still have a less capable device. NO brainer to me.

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