Can I install any App on my phone?

[Nightfish]

Hello,

I didn't find any other thread with help, and I'm sorry if this has been covered before. I'm an Android noob and thinking about buying an Android phone. The model I'm interested in is the Lenovo LePhone which runs Android 1.6. The model I saw in the shop had a very branded version of Android and it was all in Chinese (but I can change the language to English). I saw there's even a small intro of the phone here. The fancy keyboard does not come with the phone and has to be bought separately and it's not available at the moment. I was told that it runs on Android 1.6, not 2.1.

My question is, can I install any app for Android 1.6 on that device or will there be restrictions because it's a Chinese version?

Is Android 1.6 good? The rest of the phone looks good, display is clear and has a Snapdragon powering it. Is it possible to upgrade a phone's software (from let's say 1.6 to 2.1)?

Thanks for any help. Hope I can have my new phone soon

Cheers,

Nightfish

The phone (but all in Chinese): http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=5403188680

 

[jwmacdon1231]

I'm guessing you live in China? From what I've read that phone is only being launched there. I may be wrong.

Where you live (I believe) and what version of Android you're running will dictate what apps you can download.

The only way to get the newest version of Android you would need to root the phone, and download a custom ROM. Or just wait for the update.

 

[Nightfish]

Thank you jwmacdon1231!
Yes, I live in China and the phone is now in the shops for around 2800 Renminbi (400 USD) with 2500 Renminbi given back to you as credit from the phone company. So it looks like a nice deal but I don't understand how the Apps will work and if I can only install Chinese apps from Lenovo or if I can install some other ones that I find on this website or in Germany (my home country).

Thanks again for your help, wish you a nice week!

 

[jwmacdon1231]

Thank you jwmacdon1231!
Yes, I live in China and the phone is now in the shops for around 2800 Renminbi (400 USD) with 2500 Renminbi given back to you as credit from the phone company. So it looks like a nice deal but I don't understand how the Apps will work and if I can only install Chinese apps from Lenovo or if I can install some other ones that I find on this website or in Germany (my home country).

Thanks again for your help, wish you a nice week!

From what I understand the availability of apps in the Market are based on location and the firmware. For example, there are some apps in the Market that can only be used/downloaded in the US. The same goes with being in China. I'm sure there are some apps in the Chinese Market that are not available in the US. You just need to search the Market when you get your device, and see what you can find.

If you need anymore help, don't hesitate to ask.