Twice I’ve encountered Google’s attempts to keep me from accessing some apps for my phone. In both cases, the apps I wanted were restricted to the U.S. market. In both cases, I had to look up how to fix the problem. So, here’s the simplest solution I found:

1. Disable all location services on the device
2. Turn off the device and swap a compatible SIM for one from correct region
3. Turn on the device, connect to the store via WiFi and download the app
4. Turn off the device, swap original SIM back in
5. Turn on the device, reenable location services

There are some limitations when using this method.  First, you obviously need a SIM from the correct region/market.  Second, the restricted app won’t update unless you swap a compatible SIM back into the device.

I recently updated the Nexus S to Android Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.3).  Vodafone was taking their time rolling out the update, so I just manually updated.  As you can see, the phone is now more blue than green.  See my earlier post if you’d like to know more about the home screen.

On the left you see my home screen from August. On the right you see the updated September home screen. Both are using GO Launcher EX, Beautiful Widgets and SwitchPro. I added Minimalistic Text for September.

While the September update is much cleaner and simpler, it still shows all of the information from the former screen with the exception of the weather, which is accessible by tapping on the time or date.