There’s no denying the fact that Google has some serious issues when it comes to the Play store. Particularly in the hardware department, and most often during a new product launch. I know I’m not the only one that has run into issues while trying to order a Nexus 4 through Google Play.
At least with the Nexus 7 everyone had the option to pre-order the device beforehand. The Nexus 4 was more of a crapshoot, and it still is for that matter. At least during launch, there’s hardly ever a mention about stock numbers. Let’s not even get started on the shipping estimates, which can wildly vary.
We’ve seen many times that when a product is listed as ‘out of stock’ in the Google Play store, there’s unequivocally no indication about when we can expect more units to go on sale. This leaves many feverishly refreshing the page just to catch even the slightest clue about what’s happening.
All of these things point to one blaring detail- Google seriously needs to get its shit together when it comes to Google Play.
Now for the Entitlement Complex
One of the guys over at Android Authority, went on a whiny rant about the Google Play fiasco, and even went so far as to say it’s Google responsibility to deliver something better than what they have. I won’t get too nasty here, but it’s this kind of entitlement complex that causes issues in the world today.
I do agree that Google has a lot to work on, especially when it comes to the distribution of their own products. I don’t believe that it’s Google’s responsibility to fix everything that goes wrong with the store, however. Some things cannot be helped.
For example, the whole Falcon Pro mess. Twitter only allows so many user tokens per app with their new API. Subsequently, Falcon Pro reached its limit and new users who bought a copy of the app were left unable to access the network. Mind you, most of the active tokens were being used with pirated copies of the app, but that’s another issue entirely.
While the token problem was happening, Google sat on the sidelines and did nothing. They left Falcon Pro available in the store, and even worse- still allowed customers to purchase the app. The Falcon Pro developer eventually found a workaround to scare users away from buying the app though. He raised the price to a ridiculous amount on Google Play, and new users were discouraged from purchasing it.
Google could have done something, sure, but the fact of the matter is that they didn’t. To blame Google for a situation like this is ludicrous. Google has no duty to keep track of such issues. In fact, that kind of thing is on the developer. Keep in mind I’m simply referring to the fact that Google Play was still offering the app for sale. Please don’t think I’m insinuating it’s the developers fault that the token limit was reached.
Also, the same person seems to think Google should start offering third party unlocked Android devices through the Play Store. Personally, I think that’s a ridiculous idea. If they can’t even handle regular distribution of their own devices, and you’re complaining about those issues, why in the blue hell would you suggest that they offer more products? It makes no sense.
In theory, Google could spice up its offering a bit by helping out companies like HTC that are having a real hard time distributing their products, but they have no obligation to do so. In fact, doing so might even flood the Play store with unwanted products.
You Complain About Google’s Supply Chain, Yet You Demand They Offer More Devices- Well, That’s Intelligent
No thanks! The next thing we’ll see is the same guy complaining that Google sucks at keeping the other devices in stock. More variety in the store would be better, sure, but do we honestly need it? I think not.
Long story short, Google needs to fix the issues when it comes to the provision of their products and that includes offering customers more accurate information during a product launch. They don’t have a responsibility to manage everyone else’s problems when it comes to the Play store. It’s about time we shut down this entitlement issue.