[oogam]

Hi, I hope this isn't a daft question but I've never used an android device.

I live in the Isle of Man and when I went to the Google site to look at the Nexus 7 tablet the message,"Sorry. Devices on Google Play are not available in your country yet....." appeared. Apparently Google won't sell anything, hardware or apps, to people in the Isle of Man as we are in the British Isles but not the UK. (Apple don't have this problem).
Android phone users can get round this by buying apps from them over the phone network, you can't do it by wi-fi.

Obviously I could buy a Nexus or other android tablet from another supplier but if it is wi-fi only I wonder whether this will be a real problem, or do you not need to get apps from Google?

[!!11oneone]

You could get apps from the Amazon App Store, though I've never compared the two. Worth having a look via Amazon.

[paulbrock]

the message only refers to devices (i.e. the Nexus 7) as not being available, presumably for either shipping or tax reasons. The app store itself is more or less worldwide I think.

not conclusive, but a Manx radio station have an Android app, and judging by the comments, plenty of residents have installed it:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....threefm&hl=en

edit: from
http://www.manxforums.com/forums/ind...order-problem/

The problem with Nexus 7 Pre-Orders is that Google does not recognise the Isle of Man as being park of the UK and are geo-location blocking access. This is the same reason why we can not rent Movies or buy Books from Google Play. It also means that wifi only android devices have problems with buying or installing geo-location restricted Apps. Anyone looking at buy a wifi only android device should be aware of this. I have been trying for nearly 2 years to get Google to fix this.

Mobile phones or 3 G tablets have a MT sim card (identifing as a UK network) which allows apps to be purchased and installed but still have not access to movies or books.

so.... if an app is only available in the UK, like BBC iplayer, you won't be able to install it over wifi. Most apps aren't restricted by country though, and should install fine over wifi. You can also manually install apps onto the nexus 7, which will get round this, search for "sideloading".

[oogam]

Thanks for the replies. I'll look into it further as you suggest. Probably best to wait to look at the ipad mini when it comes out before making a decision, but I won't rule out an android tablet if getting decent apps won't be a problem.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by oogam

Probably best to wait to look at the ipad mini when it comes out before making a decision, but I won't rule out an android tablet if getting decent apps won't be a problem.

If it comes out - Apple have not made any announcements about one

[oogam]

Originally Posted by alan1302

If it comes out - Apple have not made any announcements about one

True, but there have been so many reports of it being in production for an October launch that I think that it is at least worth waiting to see. My guess is that if it does come out it will be considerably dearer than the Nexus 7 or Fire HD. Time will tell.

[alanwarwic]

Obviously it is probably just a quirk of being an off-shore tax haven.

Pay your taxes!

[oogam]

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

Obviously it is probably just a quirk of being an off-shore tax haven.

Pay your taxes!

What we gain in a lower income tax rate we more than lose in higher shop and fuel prices, and travel costs. At least on my income!

Most companies are happy to treat us as though we are part of the UK for the purpose of selling us things. Google are obviously a bit more pedantic!

[alanwarwic]

Originally Posted by oogam

. At least on my income!

Well lets hope you are not forced to live in a 6' by 3' garden shed like so many do in Jersey.