Update: Optus finally allows it’s customers to use paid apps on the Optus, Virgin Mobile and TPG networks (Friday 26th of March 2010)

Optus being the partner network with Google in Australia (at the moment) would seem to be the obvious choice to use with your new Android phone – at least that’s what you would think however Optus have decided to instead block all their customers and those of their resellers Virgin Mobile and TPG from accessing paid applications.

Google have offered them 30% of the app store sales sold via the Optus network but still Optus are holding out for more.  I’m not sure if Google offer this to all carriers or if it’s just the carriers they partner with in each country (I suspect the latter) but this raises the whole issue of Network Neutrality which is based on the principle that if a user pays for internet access and another user pays for internet access they should be able to connect to each other at their level of access (speed for example). In this case you should be able to access the Android Market and purchase apps no matter what network you’re on (the 30% payment is neither here nor there as far as this argument).

Options if you are with Optus, Virgin Mobile or TPG to access paid applications include

• Rooting the phone and using market enabler – however this voids your warranty and you have to apply updates manually

• Put a Telstra or Vodafone SIM card in the phone – requires powering off the phone and pulling the battery each time

• If you’re under contract contact the TIO and raise a dispute with Optus – so far everyone who has done this has had their contract released early so they could move to another network – Telstra or Vodafone work fine

• If you’re out of contract move to another network – both Telstra and Vodafone work fine (Vodafone will be the new Google partner in Australia when they release the Nexus One here)

• Using another Android application sites – Alternatives to using the Google Market to purchase Android Applications

Staying with Optus and either not purchasing apps or using one of the workarounds is only going to condone this behavior. Optus have already setup their own App store (very limited content and poor ui) and natural progression will see them diverting traffic from other stores to their store.

There has been some media coverage of this but many customers are still unaware of Optus’s action.

Optus deliberately blocking Android paid apps – APC Magazine

Optus Are Blocking Paid Android Apps – GIZMODO

Paid apps in the android marketplace – Whirlpool

Information about the 30% payment to carriers

Google to Take a Hefty Cut on Android App Sales – Gadget Lab

If you’re looking at alternative sites to purchase or download Android Applications either because you’re on a network that blocks access to the Android Market or want to look at alternative options the following are some sites that have a decent range.

SlideME

Wavesecure is a service that allows you to backup your data, track your phone, track who’s using the phone, lock the phone and wipe all the data remotely. And to top it off the service works well and is currently free for a lifetime membership for Android users who sign up before March 31.

WaveSecure is an award-winning mobile security service that lets users protect their phones, data and privacy in the event of theft. With WaveSecure, you’ll never have to worry about losing phones again.

• Track down your phone’s location and who is using it
• Lock down your phone remotely, make it worthless to the thief
• Backup all your data, automatically and securely
• Wipe out your data remotely, protect your privacy

Available now from the marketplace.

Google has announced a Nexus One Software Update to be rolled out to all handsets over the next week, if you can’t wait follow the instructions below.

New Software Update for Nexus One phones

Performing the Upgrade

1. Make sure the battery is charged.
2. Download the update from here.
3. Mount the SD card on your PC.
4. Rename the file to update.zip and copy to the root directory of the SD card as shown.
5. Turn the phone off.
6. Boot into the boot loader by turning the phone on by holding down the volume down button and pressing the power  button for a few seconds before releasing both.
   
7. Use the volume up and down buttons to select recovery and press the power button.
   
8. The phone enters recovery mode.
   
9. Hold the volume up button and press the power button and release both to enable the system recovery menu.
   
10. Use the trackball to select “apply sdcard:update.zip” and press the trackball down to select.
    
11. The update will start applying the status can be seen on the screen.
    
12. When the update is compelte it will ask you to “reboot via menu” and using the trackball press down to select “reboot system now”.
    
13. The radio will now be written before the reboots occur.
    
14. The system will reboot twice, don’t touch anything just wait for it to completed.
    
15. The normal startup screen will soon appear and the phone will soon be back to normal but with multitouch enabled and other enhancements.
    

As expected it comes in a somewhat large box, 25.4cm x 20.32cm x 15.24cm (10″x8″x6″) and plenty of room inside for quite a few Nexus Ones.

Plenty of paper packing to stop the Nexus from moving around

Another layer of paper around the Nexus.

The freed Nexus One in comparison to it’s box.

Nexus One details.

Nexus One is wrapped in plastic.

Comes with a neat little case.

Accessories, charger, headphones, usb (micro) cable and cards on how to use it.

Nexus One battery Specifications – 3.7VDC, 1400mAh and 5.18Whr.

Micro SD and SIM card can be access by removing the battery.

Camera and flash located at the top of the phone on the rear.