By 
By the feedback we’ve received from our “Phone-A-Day Give Away” contest, one might think we spilled millions of gallons of oil into global waters. But we didn’t… that was BP. We merely launched an Android Application website and tried to run an awesome contest.
That self-proclaimed “awesome contest” was limited to United States residents, and Kevin (comment #50 on the contest post) assumed correctly:
trying to run a LEGAL worldwide giveaway is a nightmare if not impossible. There are a number of conflicting laws from different countries out there. You would truly be surprised to discover how hard it is to give something away for free. I would suspect that these legal difficulties are what is restricting phandroid.com from running an international contest.
Legal shmeegal. I’m opening up the contest to anyone in the world so please go back and read the updated rules. Basically, if you’re from anywhere outside of the United States the prize is a flat $250 paid out via PayPal in hopes you can procure a similarly awesome phone. USA contestants have seen their cash offering bumped up from $200 to $250 in accordance.
I’m not sure of the legal ramifications, but I guess taking the “shoot now, ask questions later” approach will be worth it for all our global fans who want to partake in the launch festivities.
This leaves one huge group who may still feel alienated: those without Android Phones. It’s impossible to please everyone, and for our launch contest we had two main objectives:
- To create a contest that rewards our loyal readers and members for their participation
- To create the momentum needed to make AndroidApplications.com the best resource possible
For obvious reasons, we chose the contest approach/method that achieved both of these objectives. I just want to add, though, that without an Android Phone you can still test applications running a virtual machine (takes some work and no GPS unfortunately). Or you could use a friend’s phone or even visit a local mobile store with Android Phones and test apps on those. I know it’s not the optimal solution… just trying to help. Perhaps we’ll have a contest focused on those without Android Phones in the near future.
Hope this makes all our global friends happy!
Yaaayyy!
Rob you are just too easy :) . I certainly hope opening up the contest doesnt come back and bite you in the @$$.
For those of you that don’t have android phones….how about you go buy one like the rest of us?
Well something is better then nothing at all. Major props to you for addressing the issues and not taking the “too bad so sad” approach. You know you can’t please all the people all the time and I think you’ve came up with some reasonable solutions.
You guys are simply AWESOME!
Can I haz one PLZ!
Customs agent: Oh, it’s a phone. You now owe tax on this item.
Winner: oh, um, sweet. ;)
Aww, more competition :(
if you don’t have an android phone, GO OUT AND GET ONE RIGHT NOW!
can i do a review of this rebuttal and win a EVO?
cause this is AWESOME!
Phandroid has out-done themselves once again. Not only has the site given us much great advice, news and reviews, they have taken on the Google approach to open.
Much like Google did with its new open audio format, Phandroid has taken a “sue me” if you dare approach.
Believe me, those of us in the android community look at Phandroid just like we do Google…FOR THE PEOPLE!
Phandroid has stepped out and made the contest international by offering it to ALL Phandroid fans. Yes Mr. You (Turkey) and Ms. They (Europe), you too can also have a chance to win one of our beautiful Android Devices.
So, I conclude by saying DROIIIIDDD!! {inc.}
:)
Just ordered my N1 yesterday. It’ll be here tomorrow. Can’t wait to start reviewing some apps. (FYI…I was NOT one of the ones complaining about not having an Android phone. I was thinking about testing some apps on my Tilt2 Running Eclair…there are ways people…there are ways)
:)
Ugh. I put in a pretty good review (i think) of ringdroid this afternoon and thought i had a pretty decent chance of winning. Now i have a bunch more people to compete with! Oh well…….
anyway, check out my review and like it!!
It happens all the time. How many times have you seen different contests only being run in the US? By worldwide companies. Sometimes they even exclude alaska and hawaii from them. Lol
the legal ramifications are the obstacle that first that came to mind but hey, if you’re willing to stick your neck out for others, i just hope they’d be willing to do the same for you. good luck!
At the above post, Tilt 2 + Éclair = Pretty flippin’ sweet IMO
Rob, now that’s thinkin’ out side of the box! Good one.. ;)
Well done Phandroid, full credit for seeing the light and including the rest of us, there is a lot of Android fans outside the US and with the release of more phones joining the Android ranks, the Worldwide domination of Android will soon be a reality
Android = Open, Phandroid now = Open :)
USA Suxxxx ! UE Roxxx ! (but my own country France suxx too beacause of the little dictator Sarkozy de Nagy-Bosca !)
I thought the contest was an awesome idea. I have yet to own an android(att customer) due to lack of options at contract prices but have been a regular fan of phandroid. Yall’ve done a great job keeping me updated on options and new things to keep my eye on as I shop. Even though this contest doesnt really include me I just wanted to say keep up the awesome job and Im spreading the word to my friends who use Android phones.
serious pat on the back mate well done and thanks!!
“one might think we spilled millions of gallons of oil into global waters. But we didn’t… that was BP.”
this line made me LOL
Awesome.. Now clean up that oil business too and we’ll call it even. Thanks for listening to your fans!
thank you very much for this update. i live in Malaysia and was initially disappointed when the contest details came out.
…now… if only i can get hold of an android phone and do a review… :S
:)
AndroidApplications.com seems to be down 8(
thank you!!
nice! thanks so much for extending it to the other side of the globe.
It’s cool you opened this up for international readers Rob, but I think it’s pretty lame that you assume all of your “loyal” readers own an android phone already. I’ve been reading phandroid for a year and a half, but since I’m an AT&T user, I’ve yet to own an android. Throwing those of us loyal readers in the other camp a bone for the next contest would be sweet Rob.
well $250 ain’t gonna buy a new htc evo phone.