Why I can’t find that cool app in the market?

The android market is one messy place in terms of geographical differences as only recently they have implemented steps for developers to standardized the local currency and their own region pricing.

What does that tell us? It means that android market have different offerings depending on which country you’re in. So if a developer choose to market their apps to only UK or Spain, then Malaysians can’t see it on their market.

Unfortunately in Malaysia, paid apps only recently became available and so there are a lot of apps that tech blogs and websites say exist but we simply cannot find it on our devices.

For that there are a few solutions.

1. Market enabler (free on the Android Market)

This is a tool that allows your phone to mimic as if you are from another location by using root controls. So that means you have to root your phone which is another long story.

Once you select the list of carriers that are in the app. You are good to go. I use this method personally a lot to get to app updates for apps such as Gmail. I still can’t believe how GOOGLE NEXUS S is here and yet we are unable to update our Gmail and Google Maps app. Seriously, Google, I think you can do better.

2. Alternative markets

There are a few alternative markets out there that offers similar services as Android Market. Such as Amazon App Store and SlideMe. These two could have the apps you are looking for. Appbrain in Android Market used to have this thing callled fast web installer that allows you install apps directly from their website as well but users have reported problem with Android 2.3 and various devices.

3. The dark path

You can also download .apk files and sideload into your devices by enabling unknown sources settings on your phone. For that, search engines are your path to discovery. Be warned, as there is an uprising of malwares for Android out there so you have to be careful. While Google has been doing a goob job at controlling them, I suggest you don’t take unnecessary risk as our phones now contain sensitive information that you DO NOT want to be hacked.