While I have not yet received the update to the Android Market which enables Carrier Billing in addition to using Google Checkout (with a gmail.com only account), I did notice something different in the Android Market when I accessed it today.

I was hoping that this change represented the updated Android Market, as its current pay structure is really annoying for me. You see, you can only purchase applications using a Google Checkout account tied to your Google Profile. That is, if your Google Account is a gmail.com account – Google Apps users with their own domains need not apply. This is annoying because it means I have to maintain a Google Checkout account on a gmail.com address I normally don’t need – except for paying for Android applications! The update which is supposed to be coming enables Carrier Billing which means you can purchase applications and they are billed directly to your existing carrier’s bill.

When I loaded up the Android Market today, however, something just looked different. What was it?

Ah, yes, that’s it. The last tab on the top now says T-Mobile on my T-Mobile myTouch 3G. It used to be Downloads. Now, this lists applications which used to only be seen in the T-Mobile App Pack application and the title says “T-Mobile Top Picks”. This contains a list of applications that are from T-Mobile or are recommended by them.

I’ll keep patiently waiting for the update to the Android Market. Until then, I’ll be on the lookout for other updates in the Android Market…