| AT&T, being the last major cell phone company to | | | | But seriously though... how much does it matter? |
| offer an Android device has constantly put itself in | | | | Not much. Most people who buy an Android handset |
| the spotlight for questioning. What kind of questioning | | | | are less likely to even know how to install a third |
| do you ask? How about "Hey, why don't you allow | | | | party app, much less have the need to do so. |
| things as they are?" or even "If your going to do | | | | The only limitation I could see as posing a threat to |
| something, why cant you just do it properly?" Now | | | | the Android experience on AT&T is the fact that |
| im pretty sure that there are die hard Android fans | | | | you are unable to remove the AT&T bloatware |
| out there wondering why AT&T cripples its Android | | | | applications. Either way, I have thought up possible |
| devices... | | | | reasons to why AT&T won't set Android "free." |
| But just because something doesn't do what you | | | | Here they are: |
| want doesn't mean it's crippled. | | | | 1. To 'protect' its users- Security is always something |
| AT&T currently does not allow for its Android | | | | to be concerned with. Its quite possible that AT&T |
| customers to install third party applications. How is | | | | would rather avoid any possible threat. |
| this usually done? In the settings of any (other than | | | | 2. They have Apple- Its no secret, Google and Apple |
| AT&T's) Android handsets, the user has the option | | | | are at a mobile OS war. I wouldn't be too surprised if |
| for allowing or disallowing the phone from accepting | | | | AT&T and Apple made an agreement against |
| any application from outside of the official Android | | | | allowing a full blown Android handset to its line up. |
| Market or in other words, third party applications. | | | | We could also exclude Apple from this and say that |
| When the Motorola Backflip first arrived on AT&T's | | | | AT&T just wants to be 'faithful' to Apple. I mean |
| scene, Android fan boys were happy enough that | | | | Apple isnt THAT evil... is it? |
| AT&T finally accepted Android, even if it did limit its | | | | At the end of the day it's either you like the phone |
| capacities. However, the more AT&T releases new | | | | or you don't and switch carriers. If your contract isn't |
| Android handsets is the less these fan boys become | | | | stopping you then dont complain, and even if it is... |
| OK with the "limitations." | | | | we dont want to hear your complains either way. |
| The most recent phone that caused this stir is the | | | | Just wait it out. |
| HTC Aria. This is AT&T's first high end Android | | | | And remember, in a world that offers you freedom.... |
| smartphone. Resembling a mini HTC Incredible. | | | | oh wait, AT&T screwed that up. |