Google has started to roll out device-compatibility checks in the Android Market app store.
When you visit an app's page in the Android Market, you'll soon see a compatibility chart on the left-hand side. The chart tells you which Android devices registered to your Google account are compatible with the app.
Although the Android Market has always displayed compatibility information, it has previously been difficult to know for certain whether an app you're contemplating downloading will work flawlessly on your device.
If the new feature works well, it'll be very useful. Users currently only have 15 minutes to return a paid-for app for a refund. Unless the app simply refuses to run, that's nowhere near enough time to ensure it works correctly. Not all apps are eligible for refunds either.
It's going to be interesting to see how Google rolls this feature out given the huge number of Android apps and handsets available. Each app already shows which phone functions and Android features it harnesses, so it may be that Google will do a certain amount of educated guesswork. With 200,000 apps and counting in the Android Market, Google's not going to check each one individually.
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Dean Shepherd 13 June, 2011 01:32
I hate to say it guys but did you actually check it out? its ONLY for the web based app store, not the device based one.
I've seen its actually a really GOOD feature...as I've looked on a few of the new 'tegra 2' enhanced games and sometimes they DONT mention that they are for tegra devices only which is a little sly of them, they just say "High end devices" and I see quite alot of people saying like "Does not work on my Evo/Desire/Galaxy S" etc...and the lil chart to the side is I say a good idea as not all app makers are 100% clear straight away.
Also on the refund thing, most app makers on the market allow for 24 hours or more for refund, you just have to contact them directly...hell alot of them even state that in the description.