Report: Android Market updated on older devices

According to a report from Phandroid, users running older versions of Google's open source Android mobile operating system have received an update to the Android Market application over the weekend. Users were not required to accept and install an over-the-air (OTA) update as the Android Market update is arriving as a hot update. The update adds features previously only available to Android 2.2 "Froyo" users, such as a new tabbed layout for individual applications and the ability to automatically update apps.

So far, a number of Android 2.1 and 1.6 users have confirmed that they have received the update. Based on reader comments in the report, users that have received it should see the new version after they restart their devices. Google, however, has yet to make an official comment regarding the update.

Last week, several users also pointed out that the Android Market is now displaying app prices in users' local currency; in the UK, all of the paid apps with converted prices now have a "~" symbol in front of a pounds sterling price. Previously, prices for foreign paid applications were displayed in the local currency of the developer, not a user's local currency.

A little over three months ago, developers criticised Google and the Android Market for just that reason. Other complaints included the lack of support for price customisation by country, no support for a change log and that paid apps can only be sold in approximately a quarter of the countries where the Android Market is available – at the time this was just 13 of the 46 countries with the Android Market.

See also:

• Google reports >30% of Android devices now running 2.2, a report from The H.
• Survey shows app developers see Android as strong long-term prospect, a report from The H.
• CyanogenMod 6.0 brings Android 2.2 to older devices, a report from The H.

(crve)