As the Android mobile phone platform takes hold across the board as one of the leading operating systems for handheld and portable devices perhaps it is time for Google to start identifying risks to the platform.

One of the biggest risks facing any platform is the developers that release applications. As Android grows Google has been tweaking their application requirements that are imposed on those developers. The biggest issue with this is that lazy developers who don’t maintain their applications, end up frustrating users.

With recent changes to the Android Marketplace requirements for developers, many applications have “disappeared” for some or all handsets. From an end user point of view – this looks like it might be a problem with the market. Many users complain that App’s they used / last week are now no longer accessible via the market.

Common complaints in forums are that users have re-installed or upgraded their handset and when searching for their favourite app’s – the market returns zero results.

If developers don’t stay on top of the details communications sent out by Google, and ensure that their applications comply – of course they will disappear from the market. The problem for google is that most end users will not know it is the developer of their application that’s at fault – leading to frustration with the platform – and not where it should be directed.

If you are a developer and have been too lazy to keep abreast of the requirements – the most common issue with disappearing apps is copy protected applications are no longer allowed – you can check out the application security changes here.

12 Hours and still inaccessible

I use and recommend Google Hosted Applications constantly. I live out of my email, especially leading up to crucial things like opening a performance in a venue.

I am currently days away from opening a two night performance for one of our major clients.

The loss of functionality for any business system can lead to issues, but the loss of email – something that is now a very acceptable way of communicating – has a serious business impact.

I have called Google 8 times, have a ticket lodged, and requested updates to that ticket now over 8 hours ago. The silence is resounding.

If this were a free account, I would be happy to expect the level of service commiserate with what I invest in it – but we are paying customers, not only that – we refer many paying customers both directly and via our reseller account.

I can live without access to the GUI, but at least give me IMAP or even a plain text feed to get old email out – this level of customer care is unacceptable.