why i dont like the pay system at the market - G1 General

So in all of my pda/mobile net/devices/phones(which are 1 in the same, these days) an experience which started in about 1999 with a palm IIIx a 2nd gen Moto Startac, the first thing I ad software wise is ui enhancments/replacements so despite a long history of piracy, only buying apps that stand the test of time 30 days isn't enough in most cases...
I bought dxtop, ahome (may 2nd have that name wrong) and dxtop seems the best of the 2 so far and does an ok job of fixing the horrible ui, 1 mean 1 big huge "junk drawer" of apps, and 3 desktops(my least favorite method of app orginization) feels very basic and unfinished, why no folders in the junk drawer?... but dxtop takes a long time on my system, I do have lotsa memory resident apps and I'm looking to trim that down...
The price is minimal, but
What does everybody else think,
Don't talk about warez, as that's not the issue, getting a good working market is.
I may have read that there is a return period, but I dunno anything about it, let's talk this out maybe the right people read it.
Bhang

So let me get this straight... you hate the pay system because of the default UI? Not to be an ass but I found no reasons about why you hate it other than the fact that you don't like the default UI and that dxtop is slow for you.
Care to elaborate?

Honestly, I'm confused by the post. I don't see the relation between not liking the default UI and the pay system at the market.
As for the return period:
http://market.android.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=134336&topic=15871
24 hours.

I think bhang's complaint is that 24 hours is not a lot of time to trial an app. I agree...
Fortunately ahome, dxTop and openhome have all provided fairly functional free trial versions.

you are all right I wasnt so clear...
My point is I had an app I wanted to try out, dxtop (in full) so I bought it, now maybe the app isnt the solution to the ui issues I'm having, but I cant get my couple bucks back, unless there is a "return period" im unaware of. 24 hours, if I did nothing but investigate the app for the entire 24 hours, I wouldnt be able to find every nook, crannie or flaw, or have any idea of the usefulness of the app.
Are we expected to buy everything then figure out whats worth it ? whats working out for us...?
my question is how can we get to give apps a good run before we buy them outside 24 hours or the goodOl'e 30 day trials, or crippleware.
the point to remember about my post is:
"Friends dont let friends smoke a bunch of ak-47 and then try post on a technical site"
bhang

Well there's two issues at play. One from the developer side and one from the market side.
From the developer side, many do provide trial/lite versions for testing. From the market side you're lucky to have an opprotunity for refund at all.
Have you ever tried returning opened software to a B&M store? Most won't do anything and those that will tend only to do exchanges. Compare that to the fruit themed application market where, unless something changed recently, the policy is no refunds period.
So in the scope of the software world a blanket 24 hour testing/refund period is very generous and it's up to the developer to go beyond that on their own.

Im not saying that I have any idea on how to make the issues fixed for the DEVs and the END users, The corporations I could care less about, alot of the developers do offer free versions or crippled versions, in the crippled versions you don't know what those other features are like, of course they always sound great, and the free versions are nothing more than the betas that came out before charging was implemented....
I want DEVs to get paid when the apps are good well written and useful, I just dont think the market as it is works, so Ill do what I have always done, test the FULL version as long as I want, then buy the apps that hold up/ stand the test of time, most apps look great the first couple of tries, it when you get to know them do you see the flaws, alot like HUMAN interaction, maybe if I keep posting, I can dump the head shrinker and his 40$ copay
like all software distrobution methods (other than GNU/GPL) are broken

Related

What is going on...?

Ok first and foremost this is not just another post of someone complaining, in no way am i trying to offend or criticize this new device...these are simply observations made by a previous HTC owner (MDA/Herald/Wing) me...
I understand that the open source to "create" applications is fairly new not to mention all us G1 owners (ive had mine for lil more then a month). My concern is why are we seeing such "simple" programing in applications and things tht in reality none of us would ever use? Not to mention graphics what is going on...Look i have not created any nor have taken the time to even try to create applications, and if you or someone you know has, then my hats off to you, i envy you for knowing how and taking the time to...what im saying is why do all these new applications have so many bugs and in my opinion (cause that is all it is) are sub-par...i know its not really fair to compare to any other device on the market since it is the first of its kind, but im getting a little skeptical...am i alone in this? i find myself checking the android market every hour hoping for some sign to motivate me, but nothing so far aside from the obvious winners (youtube,maps,imeem,wheather channel etc...)...ill shut up now i sincerely was not trying to stir things up, and know/knew when i purcased the G1 it was the first of its kind and would probably take time to show its full potential, i just thought there were some things google had up its sleeve that were ready...does anyone have any insight or knowledge of better things to come...?
timace said:
Ok first and foremost this is not just another post of someone complaining, in no way am i trying to offend or criticize this new device...these are simply observations made by a previous HTC owner (MDA/Herald/Wing) me...
I understand that the open source to "create" applications is fairly new not to mention all us G1 owners (ive had mine for lil more then a month). My concern is why are we seeing such "simple" programing in applications and things tht in reality none of us would ever use? Not to mention graphics what is going on...Look i have not created any nor have taken the time to even try to create applications, and if you or someone you know has, then my hats off to you, i envy you for knowing how and taking the time to...what im saying is why do all these new applications have so many bugs and in my opinion (cause that is all it is) are sub-par...i know its not really fair to compare to any other device on the market since it is the first of its kind, but im getting a little skeptical...am i alone in this? i find myself checking the android market every hour hoping for some sign to motivate me, but nothing so far aside from the obvious winners (youtube,maps,imeem,wheather channel etc...)...ill shut up now i sincerely was not trying to stir things up, and know/knew when i purcased the G1 it was the first of its kind and would probably take time to show its full potential, i just thought there were some things google had up its sleeve that were ready...does anyone have any insight or knowledge of better things to come...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I find the plethora of apps encouraging, yes, some are more useful than others but the wide range of effort is fan-flippin-tastic.
MY biggest observation is that the Market place needs some severe MODERATOR intervention... the one star "i is first u goons" and "this app suks (because I am too stupid to read the intro to figure out what it is for) really really really needs to be cleaned up/out. (A perfect example is the UTC clock... it does EXACTLY what it says, true, the numbers in the display look like they are from a missile silo, but hey, it is a tribute to the UTC heritage...anyway, people bag on it because they have no idea why, what, or anything else about it... morons)
[/rant]
--M
demontefixo said:
Personally, I find the plethora of apps encouraging, yes, some are more useful than others but the wide range of effort is fan-flippin-tastic.
MY biggest observation is that the Market place needs some severe MODERATOR intervention... the one star "i is first u goons" and "this app suks (because I am too stupid to read the intro to figure out what it is for) really really really needs to be cleaned up/out. (A perfect example is the UTC clock... it does EXACTLY what it says, true, the numbers in the display look like they are from a missile silo, but hey, it is a tribute to the UTC heritage...anyway, people bag on it because they have no idea why, what, or anything else about it... morons)
[/rant]
--M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree "first" comments are riduculous, and if you dont like the application from descrption then dont install it...positive criticism is more then welcome but "this sucks" is getting on my nerves...
timace said:
Ok first and foremost this is not just another post of someone complaining, in no way am i trying to offend or criticize this new device...these are simply observations made by a previous HTC owner (MDA/Herald/Wing) me...
I understand that the open source to "create" applications is fairly new not to mention all us G1 owners (ive had mine for lil more then a month). My concern is why are we seeing such "simple" programing in applications and things tht in reality none of us would ever use? Not to mention graphics what is going on...Look i have not created any nor have taken the time to even try to create applications, and if you or someone you know has, then my hats off to you, i envy you for knowing how and taking the time to...what im saying is why do all these new applications have so many bugs and in my opinion (cause that is all it is) are sub-par...i know its not really fair to compare to any other device on the market since it is the first of its kind, but im getting a little skeptical...am i alone in this? i find myself checking the android market every hour hoping for some sign to motivate me, but nothing so far aside from the obvious winners (youtube,maps,imeem,wheather channel etc...)...ill shut up now i sincerely was not trying to stir things up, and know/knew when i purcased the G1 it was the first of its kind and would probably take time to show its full potential, i just thought there were some things google had up its sleeve that were ready...does anyone have any insight or knowledge of better things to come...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree with you; even though i love this phone there are a lot of things i dislike about it. the only advice i can give to you is to be patient. the phone has 'officially' been out for a little under a month and there is already so much improvements to it:
- 2 updates have already been rolled out,
- we have found a Root and a way to manually update it.
- we are beginning to see system folders moved to sdcard to save space(even though the phone should have came with more memory)
apps on the market are getting better i don't if you have seen the app "bubble". bubble is a basic bubble level that uses the accelerometer to see if something is level and changes as the phone changes orientation it may seem like a simple app but it shows that Google came come out with an update that uses the accelerometer to change orientation.
- first signs of on screen keyboards like akeyui, a7email and a7sms.
all of these improvements in about 3 weeks and tons more to come idk what anybody can complain about besides hardware issues
just wait come Jan 2009 the G1 isnt going to be anything like it is today.
demontefixo said:
Personally, I find the plethora of apps encouraging, yes, some are more useful than others but the wide range of effort is fan-flippin-tastic.
MY biggest observation is that the Market place needs some severe MODERATOR intervention... the one star "i is first u goons" and "this app suks (because I am too stupid to read the intro to figure out what it is for) really really really needs to be cleaned up/out. (A perfect example is the UTC clock... it does EXACTLY what it says, true, the numbers in the display look like they are from a missile silo, but hey, it is a tribute to the UTC heritage...anyway, people bag on it because they have no idea why, what, or anything else about it... morons)
[/rant]
--M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah there need to be some serious clean up in th commenting sections, some of these comments might discourage people from developing apps for the G1, i think comments should strictly about the apps and not about being 1st or 151st, or bashing other commenters, and people definitely should not comment on an app the don't know how to use.
however developers should include directions on how to use their apps so people do not have to rely on commenting to try and figure out what it does and how it does it.
The point is the development muscle that has been put in the device is minor.I feel like the market is made by kids or teenagers that stopped uploading on youtube and are writing apps using ready made lego kits (APIs). The apps in the market are all basic stuff. There is not even a Divx player for this device available but 5 Video players using the Google provided APIs to play mp4 which only play SOME mp4 files not all.
I love the sliding, bubble and Gmail on it but I cant name too many more things I love. Not even a Navi that works properly. I really cant think of anything else I love about it. No office, word, excel, PDF, flash, divx. The SMS system is grouped together. The actual phone keyboard is beyond basic with no options. There are simply too many bugs on the phone operation itself like bluetooth etc.
Time flies google, we need apps that have more than 10 man-hours of software programming spent on it. Lets stop the growth of many timers and alarms in the market and get some real stuff out there. Microsoft has probably put in millions of development hours into WM and it was not until now that I realized this.
brooklynite said:
The point is the development muscle that has been put in the device is minor.I feel like the market is made by kids or teenagers that stopped uploading on youtube and are writing apps using ready made lego kits (APIs). The apps in the market are all basic stuff. There is not even a Divx player for this device available but 5 Video players using the Google provided APIs to play mp4 which only play SOME mp4 files not all.
I love the sliding, bubble and Gmail on it but I cant name too many more things I love. Not even a Navi that works properly. I really cant think of anything else I love about it. No office, word, excel, PDF, flash, divx. The SMS system is grouped together. The actual phone keyboard is beyond basic with no options. There are simply too many bugs on the phone operation itself like bluetooth etc.
Time flies google, we need apps that have more than 10 man-hours of software programming spent on it. Lets stop the growth of many timers and alarms in the market and get some real stuff out there. Microsoft has probably put in millions of development hours into WM and it was not until now that I realized this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
muscle...DiVix...kids...office...flash...basic...bugs
words that stood out and i DEFINATELY agree
as i said before patience is the key here
the reason why there aren't many good programs out right know is because they are still in development, there are some apps that won google's app contest that are not on the market because they are still under development. developers take their to try and come out with a bug free app and you criticize them for taking to long however if they rush it and get it out with SOME bugs people crucify them. how long did you think it took for divx or flash to be developed for other phones?
why do people expect a phone thats been out for under a month to have the same capabilities as phones that been out for years?
how many phone do you know had divx support right out of the box or even one month after release? i estimate that divx support will be out before the end of the year.
i agree that apps on the market are going the the hole, especially with millions of the same type of apps, c'mon how many different weather apps do we need, how many background apps is necessary. but you got to admit out of the hundreds of apps on the market there are some good ones.
I'm waiting with great anticipation on the games for the g1. Sure i want cut copy and paste, document reader, full video player, full file manager and task manager as well as others but i'm dying to play nes games and others on this phone. The market is pretty lame in the games department but hey i got pacman, solitaire, and a few others free so i'm not gonna complain. I think the apps are very promising and there are a wide variety of them. Granted none of the crucial apps are out yet but i have quite a few on g1 that i love and got em all for free!!! We just have to be patient, i knew going in i would have to be.
All the apps are free. The hardware has only been in people's hands for a few weeks (at most). A serious developer, wanting to create the exact apps we're all hoping for, needs a heck of a lot more time. The SDK was fine, but any serious developer is going to want to log a lot of hours with a physical device (or several) to finalize the product.
And they're not going to do all that, for free.
This device has huge potential, and the reason we're seeing amaturish apps is because the only people who are willing to play around with creating apps for free are mostly hobbyists who want feedback to further their skills.
I predict that once the payment system is set up for the Market, the apps you're all stomping your feet about are going to show up.
The programs we're talking about are complex, writing them and testing them is time consuming, and I assume that they're going to be larger than the apps we're seeing now. It's entirely possible that some of these apps are almost finished, but are waiting for SD card loading to be added to the functionality before they can release them. Some may even be delayed by the announcement of the virtual keyboard -- they may want to integrate that for the launch of their apps.
I think two things need to happen before we're going to see the apps we all want.
-Pay system on Android Market
-The Ability for Apps to be installed and run from the SD card.
Until those two things happen, the App Store is going to be like it is. And it's also time you guys thought about something. The apps that are "missing" were never a secret, most of the complaints I see are about things that were known well before launch, or discovered the first week people had it in hand. If you didn't read up, that's your fault. If you read up and assumed things would be taken care of within one to two months (something no one promised you) that's also your fault.
I'll predict something for you right now, in light of the economy and everything else, it'll be 6 months to a year before HALF the apps we want are available and working. Now, that's just my estimate, but if that sounds "too long" to wait, then I'd invest in another phone rather than spending the next 6 months posting complaints like "why isn't _____ done yet? And where's the ______ app?!!"
Just my 2 cents
I have already heard many apps have been developed but the developers are waiting for the pay system which has already been annoucnced and is coming 3 months after launch.
I am similar to you... give it time and you will see the best things you have ever seen. I mean look at Linux... they have some awesome apps on most linux flavors that make me dual boot into linux just to have. I think this device will be the same as this was the entire purpose.
Google is updating features all the time in the git directory and it won't be long before they fix the main issues and then the developers will be looking at new things to give us.
So far the barcode readers alone seem like such a huge advantage as I haven't seen them on mobile devices before(at least none that worked)
brooklynite said:
The point is the development muscle that has been put in the device is minor.I feel like the market is made by kids or teenagers that stopped uploading on youtube and are writing apps using ready made lego kits (APIs). The apps in the market are all basic stuff. There is not even a Divx player for this device available but 5 Video players using the Google provided APIs to play mp4 which only play SOME mp4 files not all.
I love the sliding, bubble and Gmail on it but I cant name too many more things I love. Not even a Navi that works properly. I really cant think of anything else I love about it. No office, word, excel, PDF, flash, divx. The SMS system is grouped together. The actual phone keyboard is beyond basic with no options. There are simply too many bugs on the phone operation itself like bluetooth etc.
Time flies google, we need apps that have more than 10 man-hours of software programming spent on it. Lets stop the growth of many timers and alarms in the market and get some real stuff out there. Microsoft has probably put in millions of development hours into WM and it was not until now that I realized this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you said my answer in your own post. The device has been out less than a month. That's nowhere near enough time to make those killer apps you're talking about. To google's credit they did put in things like street view with the compass mode and there are those apps you've talked about. It takes MONTHS to do real software developement so you're going to keep seeing more and more alarms and stuff until then.
seriously, does ANYBODY give a ratsass or even use streetview?
They should have made sure all the media stuff and the email was topnotcxh.
I agree 100% with the first post! Google should have prepaired Android better. There is a lot of competition out there and I would say by what I've seen so far they are light years behind. I did not expect that with all the money in the world Google couldn't release product that was better polished. I have put my G1 back in its box and I'm back to my unlocked Tilt, what sucks is going back to the old screen and Edge but its functinality that I need. I wish they made some kind of task aplication that I can put on the screen kind of likr thr picture frame that would display my tasks for the day. I have a Motorola ROKR E2 that runs Linux and there are more useful stuff for it out there. I desagree we have to wait untill we start paying for apliications, I believe Google can afford providing us with free functional software as more and more people will be using their services.
i love my g1, but i agree with these people that google didn't do enough...and i hope they're working to fix it.
i think that their whole "leave it in the hands of developers" approach was probably a mistake. they should have made all the basic applications like they did but also gone a step further to spice up the phone. i hope that google, in the new few updates, incorporates some more stuff, like OUTLOOK SYNC (i wuld love it if they changed the google calendar sync for windows into just google sync and have it sync everything with outlook....funambol right now sucks i have like 80 of each contact!)
they also should have made a GOOD video recorder / player, and even a better music player. they're trying to beat apple at multimedia, and are failing miserably.
they should add a decent on-screen keyboard and maybe even a task manager...or make it only have like 4 open tasks in the backgroudn...because i've noticed my g1 slowing down a lot after having a few apps open.
google should add a manual update button...i'm still on RC28 because i dont feel like installing the modified rc30 or plugging it in to update. have a freaking "UPDATE" button in the system info thing or something.
i think google needs more than 3 home screens...i've already filled all of mine up. they also should have added more widgets, like the guy above me said.
SELECTING TEXT SUCKS. i have to use the trackball to select a ltter of a word...on my windows mobile i could just tap on where i wanted it to be and at least it would get me within 1 or 2 letters...if i tap on a word on the g1 nothing happens!
we need to be able to install stuff to the sd card!
i think i'm missing a lot of things but i've only had the phone for 2 days and i've noticed all that...i hope developers DO step in if google is too stupid not to add more basic functionality.
/rant
Look at it this way currently there is no way to charge for apps that are developed. This is why we are seeing nothing but apps programed by independant programers some of which are good and some of which are useless. Once companies can charge for apps then it will make sence to put money into the development of better more porfessional apps. My suggestion is to just hold off on passing judgement untill the market is finished to where people that spend money in development can recoup those losses. I do think that the market place should have been finished before launch but what can you do.
coffeboy23 said:
Look at it this way currently there is no way to charge for apps that are developed. This is why we are seeing nothing but apps programed by independant programers some of which are good and some of which are useless. Once companies can charge for apps then it will make sence to put money into the development of better more porfessional apps. My suggestion is to just hold off on passing judgement untill the market is finished to where people that spend money in development can recoup those losses. I do think that the market place should have been finished before launch but what can you do.
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Click to collapse
Agaqin, super lame of google.
We can get a bunch of usless wank programs, but not proepr ones, becasue they don't have the pay market ready.
Also, I think that certain things like exchange and a proper email client shoudl have been included.
And remember most people are new to development, don't know how many "this is my first try" apps I have seen. When you get that one that charges 20 bucks for the app... you will get another developer who will release it free and just ask for donations... I suggest donating whatever you can to the one that gives it free.
Henchman said:
Agaqin, super lame of google.
We can get a bunch of usless wank programs, but not proepr ones, becasue they don't have the pay market ready.
Also, I think that certain things like exchange and a proper email client shoudl have been included.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
google isnt the one entirely in charge of the market... tmobile is the one wanting money
neoobs said:
google isnt the one entirely in charge of the market... tmobile is the one wanting money
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Click to collapse
No, but it was google who shoudl ahve made sure that the basics were coveredf well.
The Camera I'm sure can take greta pics, but the controls suck.
The email is severly lacking.
No streaming video.
And they shoudl ahve elarnt form the iPhoen release, that push email fro MsExcahnge should have been there fromt he getgo.
Or the should have built a BB app, just like you can get for WinMo.
No, they focused on teenagers, not professionals.
neoobs said:
google isnt the one entirely in charge of the market... tmobile is the one wanting money
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Click to collapse
no....google is not taking any money but is giving 30% of all apps sold to the carriers...tmobile might be the one "wanting" money but they have no control over the app store at all.

Worth writing a WinMo app for MobileMarketplace?

I have a couple of good ideas for some simple apps I'd like to write for WinMo..
But as I look at what I find on XDA, or 1800pocketpc.com , or other sites, most of the very good programs I see are written by people like me and released for free..
Will any of these currently available apps make it into the Mobile Marketplace?
Not that I think I'll become a millionaire, but I'd like to write them specifically for the Mobile Marketplace simply because I think more common people will find out about it and be able to easily purchase and install it.. It would be a simple (but very specific) sports-score-ticker type app for like $2..
All the apps I see on here and elsewere are great and well written, but hardly any of the common WinMo users know about them, or already have mortscript installed, etc..
Is it even worth writing an app for the Mobile Marketplace, or should I just do like everyone else and release it on here for free..?
-Matthew
I'd rather like it here for free, I won't get it if I gotta pay $2 bucks, and I'm sure many other ppl won't get it either.
With the Windows Marketplace, you also have to pay like $100 yourself just to put an app up there. Then you can only put like 5 apps total, or you have to pay more. Unless you think you're gonna get like hundreds of people buying it, and you wanna make some money, then go ahead and do the Marketplace.
I would just be kind and make it for free at XDA though, and then make a donation box.
Btw, I'm not gonna get ur app, I don't care about sports...but...make a PS3 Upcoming Games tracker, and I'll get it!
I think you should post it on both places on the marketplace and here because a ton of people know nothing about xda let alone freewarepocketpc.net or handango. But they will know about the marketplace because it will be more publisized.
can you release apps for free, and in the marketplace? that seems counter productive. that just lessens the chance of getting back the hundred bucks you gave to ms.
ou2mame said:
can you release apps for free, and in the marketplace? that seems counter productive. that just lessens the chance of getting back the hundred bucks you gave to ms.
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Click to collapse
Well, it'd work, because as he said, not everyone knows about XDA. The power WM users get it for free, then, and the average user pays, lol.
That is one of the main diferences!, here at XDA we share it for just the pleassure and of course donations are always accepted! and members donate!
Just my opinion,
if you release a free app on Marketplace you still need to pay the $99 development fee (for the first 5 apps). The best course for a developer to balance the two worlds is likely to release some free apps here for the base and some paid apps in the MarketPlace because there are far more people that will be using the marketplace than visit any forums or blogs. It's just reality...or maybe you want to release one version for the MarketPlace and a similar version for free here so you can make a few dollars off of the mass markets and give back to the community here. Also, some developers (like Herm's Software) release some free apps and some paid apps. Obviously, the free apps are intended to show people the quality apps you are producing and introduce them to the paid apps so they will get some free benefits and you still get some perks.
Well. Many people will and wont buy it.
You need it to stand out from other apps like it. If it doesnt stand out, or is more expensive than another app like it, no one will get it. You need a good looking app, or an amazing new version of an old one for it to sell.
If I liked sports, and this app worked well / looked good, I would buy it.
Think about it like this... even with the large amount of people that have jailbroken iphones and are able to get apps for free, there is still a VERY large number of people that make a killing selling their apps in the app store. I remember seeing an article not too long ago about a guy that came up with some simple game and because almost an instant millionaire off of his app. I prefer free, but trust me there are plenty of people out there that WILL buy it if its a useful app. And with football season upon us I think a sports ticker may do better than you think it will.
brownhornet said:
Think about it like this... even with the large amount of people that have jailbroken iphones and are able to get apps for free, there is still a VERY large number of people that make a killing selling their apps in the app store. I remember seeing an article not too long ago about a guy that came up with some simple game and because almost an instant millionaire off of his app. I prefer free, but trust me there are plenty of people out there that WILL buy it if its a useful app. And with football season upon us I think a sports ticker may do better than you think it will.
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Click to collapse
Yet, most iPhone users are dumb highschoolers (like my friends). They don't care to do advanced things, they just wanna buy dumb apps, like an app that makes a light-saber noise when waving the phone, LOL.
Windows Mobile, on the other hand, is directed toward the advanced user. We have been trained to search for our apps. We have been trained to replace the WinMo interface as much as possible. We have been trained to flash custom ROM's so we can get the latest and greatest.
WinMo users are more advanced, and they know better than to waste money on apps. We will probably look for alternatives to a paid app.
So, SOME people would pay for your app, but others would most likely be more practical. I haven't paid for an app, since, ever. I don't think I'll start now.
I could be wrong, but I think we could agree that dumb blondes don't go out buying WinMo phones
Now, if your app was something killer, and exclusive, then yes, I might end up paying. But a sports score tracker? I'll pass.

What's in your Evo?

Ok, I know I'm jumping the gun, but I thought this would be a good idea. We'll need somewhere to list and discuss apps for the Evo. I know discussions will go far beyond this thread, but a place to compile a list and links to download or for instructions or to troubleshoot and so on and so forth will be handy.
I'm not sure what I'm doing, but it appears the size of posts is limited and from what I've seen the thing to do is to reserve some space at the beginning of the thread to make helpful information throughout the thread easily accessible at the beginning so I'm going to reserve some space if I can.
Advice is welcome. Please offer advice. If I choke (and embarass myself) and end up not getting an Evo (not likely as I think I want it more than sex) or fail to keep the thread updated I'm gessing we have other options like an administrator letting someone else edit my posts or moving info to a better thread or something.
I'm thinking this could get to be a huge thread so I think I'll reserve 3 more posts. If that's too many I guess they can be deleted. If we need more can an administrator insert them? If you have ideas on how we should structure this please speak up.
Since I'm jumping the gun I guess the place to start is with what we think it will come loaded with and what we want it to come with. Eventually we'll just list what's available for the Evo.
I've never done this and may prove to be unreliable and considered just making this a suggestion so if anyone is experienced and gung-ho about it and wants to take over right now feel free to step up.
reserved
Uh oh, I gotta work.
HANDY LINKS TO APPS
http://www.androlib.com/
www.android.com
www.androidanarchy.com
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INFO
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZSeLuJBWDU
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=668905
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=478117
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=473195
reserved
reserved for future 3.
*reserved for future laughter*
UPDATE 04/06/10 1145PM EST: LOL
bad idea?
Should I request deleting? I've never used Android so I seriously am looking for help finding, installing, and getting through issues. I know there are other clueless people like me also so why not make a one stop shop for the apps this phone can use.
One thing I think I may have just realized is where to get apps. I'm a winmo user and I think I've only bought one app and never understood why anyone needed Marketplace. I've downloaded apps from all over the internet and never even been to Marketplace. Are all (or most, or what) Android apps at android.com? I read there were like 30,000 android apps, but haven't seen them. I figured a market was an iphone thing.
Some of the best threads I've read were very well organized and were updated to make info easy to find. Some threads look promising, but get really long and you never know when you'll find what you're actually looking for. Maybe I just don't search well, but often what I think is a good search produces unsatifying results. This site is huge now and very difficult to search.
I really would love input from senior members and would like to know as much as possible before I get this phone. I have actually been worried about switching over to Android, but the new hardware and network seem too good(not to mention the new windows direction). I've heard good stuff about Android, but just don't understand it.
I'm worried about being stuck with just 5 or 7 screens. I know windows has to use apps to get it's multiple screens (UL, ilaunch, claunch...), but I haven't heard of anythig like that with Android. I've settled into touchflo and really like using the slider rather than flicking like I did with UL (especially multiple times to get where I want).
I'm under the impression the Android screens are customizable in that you can use shortcuts or widgets, but I'd like to have several full screen widgets (more than 6) and a launcher and a home screen with more info (even more than touchflo/sense on winmo). Is there anything like that?
Please tell me (and other untechies) about Android. Don't be a johnson. Sorry, couldn't pass that up.
hey I'm an asshole... and proud of it... I'm not known for my kindness
POW! -> http://www.androlib.com/
you say you want 5-7 homescreens now.... wait till you use it... you might use 3-4.... MAYBE... I only use 2, but hey that's me. Also if you are that freaking skitso there's a homescreen replacement out there with up to 10 or 13 or something absolutely retarded amount of homescreens if you MUST have that many.
You can customize like there's no tomorrow, makes winmo look like a gimped iphone in that respect. You can change basically every aspect of everything if you look hard enough.
Touchflow is senceUI... senceUI is touchflow... same exact thing. If you don't like your senceUI (what will come with the evo), you can do the vanillia android home if you want, or enjoy one of the many many homescreen replacements, of which there is about a thousand different themes for icons menus screens title bars etc etc etc etc etc.
watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZSeLuJBWDU
the apps don't run on the 5-7 screens, they're separate and "unlimited" based off of available ram, if you use up resources it closes the one android feels you aren't useing anymore to free up ram for your running app. It isn't as bad as it sounds in practical use, you won't notice it closing stuff in the background, the screens are only for widgets like in the video.
Like I said, customize your heart out. You don't have to be a rocket surgeon either, download a app, maybe a buck or two and go to town. There's free options, but it's not paying some big fruit company it's going into the developer's pockets so give them a buck if you like it. I have never paid over a dollar for any app I buy... and I have like 20 I felt the need to pay for. Small change in comparison to what I pay each month to use the phone... or what I paid for the phone in the first place.
Compare to a desktop or laptop and the amount of usage for a paid app... much better ratio of fun for price.
no need for this topic in my opinion, I'd recommend it be deleted, but it's your call if you feel like updating it with what you find useful in the link I provided.
I want a dollar for my time... thanks.
Manicmobileaddict said:
Should I request deleting? I've never used Android so I seriously am looking for help finding, installing, and getting through issues. I know there are other clueless people like me also so why not make a one stop shop for the apps this phone can use.
One thing I think I may have just realized is where to get apps. I'm a winmo user and I think I've only bought one app and never understood why anyone needed Marketplace. I've downloaded apps from all over the internet and never even been to Marketplace. Are all (or most, or what) Android apps at android.com? I read there were like 30,000 android apps, but haven't seen them. I figured a market was an iphone thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most legit apps can be found in the Marketplace, both free and for $$. Off and on, you may see someone post up an app here that they're working on, but the eventual goal is to get it in the Marketplace for the most part. It seems that you went looking for Moby ****, and only found a white whale!
johnsongrantr said:
hey I'm an asshole... and proud of it... I'm not known for my kindness
i never said that and you gotta admit the pun was too good to pass on[/I]
POW! -> http://www.androlib.com/
thanks
you say you want 5-7 homescreens now.... wait till you use it... you might use 3-4.... MAYBE... I only use 2, but hey that's me.
full screen widgets not homescreens, I use 8 now
Also if you are that freaking skitso
me?
there's a homescreen replacement out there with up to 10 or 13 or something absolutely retarded amount of homescreens if you MUST have that many.
You can customize like there's no tomorrow, makes winmo look like a gimped iphone in that respect. You can change basically every aspect of everything if you look hard enough.
cool
Touchflow is senceUI... senceUI is touchflow... same exact thing.
SenSe, different on winmo and android
If you don't like your senceUI (what will come with the evo), you can do the vanillia android home if you want, or enjoy one of the many many homescreen replacements, of which there is about a thousand different themes for icons menus screens title bars etc etc etc etc etc.
cool
watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZSeLuJBWDU
some pretty cool features there, but not too fond of the leap (2 handed op)
the apps don't run on the 5-7 screens, they're separate and "unlimited" based off of available ram, if you use up resources it closes the one android feels you aren't useing anymore to free up ram for your running app. It isn't as bad as it sounds in practical use, you won't notice it closing stuff in the background, the screens are only for widgets like in the video.
so it multi-tasks? cool. any limit to the # of shortcuts per screen?
Like I said, customize your heart out. You don't have to be a rocket surgeon either, download a app, maybe a buck or two and go to town. There's free options there if you're a jew,
I am
but it's not paying some big fruit company it's going into the developer's pockets so give them a buck if you like it. I have never paid over a dollar for any app I buy... and I have like 20 I felt the need to pay for. Small change in comparison to what I pay each month to use the phone... or what I paid for the phone in the first place.
Compare to a desktop or laptop and the amount of usage for a paid app... much better ratio of fun for price.
no need for this topic in my opinion, I'd recommend it be deleted, but it's your call if you feel like updating it with what you find useful in the link I provided.
its been useful to me so far, but we can delete it
I want a dollar for my time... thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do I do that, the tip?
Jye75 said:
Most legit apps can be found in the Marketplace, both free and for $$. Off and on, you may see someone post up an app here that they're working on, but the eventual goal is to get it in the Marketplace for the most part. It seems that you went looking for Moby ****, and only found a white whale!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same link the johnson gave? Any others?
Manicmobileaddict said:
Same link the johnson gave? Any others?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
www.android.com
www.androidanarchy.com
What's in your Evo you ask?
A 1GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processor, the award-winning HTC SenseTM user experience, an 8.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with HD-capable video camcorder and a forward-facing 1.3 megapixel camera. The large vibrant 4.3 inch display, built-in kickstand, 3.5 mm headset jack and HDMI output make HTC EVO 4G an unparalleled platform for wireless entertainment. Download music, pictures, files, or videos in seconds – not minutes – and watch streaming video on the go on a network with download speeds that are up to 10 times faster than 3G speeds.1 With built-in mobile hotspot functionality, HTC EVO 4G also allows up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices, including laptop, camera, music player, video player and any other Wi-Fi-enabled device, to enjoy the benefits of 4G speeds on the go.
...That beats the gerbil on his wheel in my TP.
keatre said:
...That beats the gerbil on his wheel in my TP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
picture or it didn't happen
keatre said:
...That beats the gerbil on his wheel in my TP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reasons why I bought a Sprint Hero on Craigslist for $200 bucks lol
johnsongrantr said:
picture or it didn't happen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mad photoshop skillz.
keatre said:
Mad photoshop skillz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sir, for that, I bestow apon you +5,000 internets
universal remote/dongle
Anyone know of anything like Totalremote from Griffin that can use the sound to ir converter for phones without an ir port?
I bought Totalremote with the converter off ebay to experiment with on my Mogul, but can't get it to work (it works on my ipaq). The Mogul just has no universal remote solution (unless I can get the ipod method from Engadget working, for which I'll have to get a male 3.5mm to male 3.5mm cord one of these days).
Since I have the converter I'm hoping there will end up being an Android version of Totalremote. I'm very hopefull since iphone is doing one using the headphone jack and since for some reason HTC has moved their jack to the top of the phone (makes you wonder).
40,000 apps to browse?
Ok, so I'm thinking 40,000 Android apps to browse through might be a little overwhelming.
Anyone care to discuss/recommend their favorite or essential Android apps and perhaps throw up links directly to them?
Manicmobileaddict said:
Ok, so I'm thinking 40,000 Android apps to browse through might be a little overwhelming.
Anyone care to discuss/recommend their favorite or essential Android apps and perhaps throw up links directly to them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this thread made me spit my mountain dew all over my hero. i hope your happy.
1)metamorph(rooted only; easily changes certain aspects of your phone whereas a flash might change others along with it)
2)wireless tether(rooted only)
3)facebook(not sense's watered down version)
4)estrong task manager (comes with a killall widget)
5)cachemate(makes your phone zippy when used correctly)
6)handcent(oh man...)
7)linda file manager(seems to be the best one, to me)
8)some sort of battery percentage widget(i actually havent settled on one yet)
9)picsaypro(mini photoshop on your phone)
10)google voice(google it)
11)iMusic+widget(limewire on your phone)
edit:
i compiled this list by simply sliding through my app drawer, but didnt even think; the fact is, with the latest 2.1 builds theres litterally NO i.s., so i do my best to keep my app download-age as low as possible. theres actually alot of apps i download, install, use, then uninstall. a fun game you can check out it What The Doodle?! online multiplayer...draw on screen your keyword, people try to guess. I cant remember the name of the other game...Attack!! or somethig. your a cow and you tilt the phone to jump from platform to platform (like teeter, but with a cow, and the final destination is a spaceship)
i expect with the evo i.s. wont be an issue (1g?!?!?!?!?!!??!?!?!?!?!?) so maybe ill update the list as i feel the need to remember a long lost app and redownload it.

New Market and refunds

So there is a 15 minute limit on refunds now in the new Market app.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but couldn't someone just copy the .apk off the phone while in clockwork, then reboot, and refund? You'd still have the copied .apk to reinstall.
This isn't a test of piracy whatsoever, but a test of how low the security is on the device. I'm just curious if this is how it really works! If so, I think it needs fixed asap.
kaschenberg said:
So there is a 15 minute limit on refunds now in the new Market app.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but couldn't someone just copy the .apk off the phone while in clockwork, then reboot, and refund? You'd still have the copied .apk to reinstall.
This isn't a test of piracy whatsoever, but a test of how low the security is on the device. I'm just curious if this is how it really works! If so, I think it needs fixed asap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for hashing out the obvious, even if you're going all about it the wrong way.
Let me restate what you tried to say:
Google has changed the market refund window to 15m from 24h, screwing real customers without actually affecting piracy at all.
This made my day xD
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
khaytsus said:
Thanks for hashing out the obvious, even if you're going all about it the wrong way.
Let me restate what you tried to say:
Google has changed the market refund window to 15m from 24h, screwing real customers without actually affecting piracy at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's be real here, they could fix the piracy issues easily if they wanted to - we all know Google is smart! I'm just curious as to why they made it this easy to do the "obvious"...
Google already provides provisions for this, the developers just have to use them. Titanium backup pro phones home to run a check for example and won't run.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Gingerbread is supposed to add a lot of support for game developers in it's SDK with that I think google is trying to make the Android Market a bit more appealing to third party game developers. Making the refund window 15 minutes, now assures that you won't be able to download a game beat it in a few hours and then uninstall and refund the game.
Because yes obviously this doesn't thwart piracy and that's why I dont think it's supposed to be an anti piracy feature. Plus the average smart phone user is not going to start pulling apk's in clockwork or adb.
Plus I think we have just been spoiled with a 24 hour refund window, at least we'll HAVE a refund window unlike the iphone users. Hopefully this overall will actually make the market better, people will write better reviews and stuff. I personally don't think it is a huge deal, whenever I purchase something in the Market I base my decision mainly on the Market comments and the star rating, usually one knows wether a purchase was worth it within the first 10 minutes.
pcruz said:
Gingerbread is supposed to add a lot of support for game developers in it's SDK with that I think google is trying to make the Android Market a bit more appealing to third party game developers. Making the refund window 15 minutes, now assures that you won't be able to download a game beat it in a few hours and then uninstall and refund the game.
Because yes obviously this doesn't thwart piracy and that's why I dont think it's supposed to be an anti piracy feature. Plus the average smart phone user is not going to start pulling apk's in clockwork or adb.
Plus I think we have just been spoiled with a 24 hour refund window, at least we'll HAVE a refund window unlike the iphone users. Hopefully this overall will actually make the market better, people will write better reviews and stuff. I personally don't think it is a huge deal, whenever I purchase something in the Market I base my decision mainly on the Market comments and the star rating, usually one knows wether a purchase was worth it within the first 10 minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe i'd have to agree that I also base my downloads based upon reviews. Even though, they do seem a bit biased or imastupidkidwithbadgrammar-ish-like...
I guess if you have a free version, then there's no real need to have a refund window. You can do all your testing in free.
It's a bit annoying to see many 'refunds' from people who are just pirating the apps. It would be nice to have devs set the refund time.
15 minutes is neither fish nor fowl.
I'm happy you have the option to at least get a refund. I have a 5 year old with Autism and forgot to disable the app store on his iPad and within ten minutes I was the proud new owner of about 5 bowling apps Luckily it was only about $10 but it could have been a lot worse had he navigated to a different screen *face/palm*

[Q] Request for feedback: increasing my app usage

Hi all,
As a new dev in the android ecosystem, I am looking for other devs feedback on the following.
I have an app with about a few thousands user base. Growing slightly, but also with a decreasing active ratio.
As my revenue is ads driven, I'd like to experiment a few tricks to encourage users to use the app more, without being too intrusive.
A few ideas:
- show a notification after a few days that the app hasn't been used, to encourage the user using it again.
- feature: user can share the app's install page with friends (stimulate organic growth), via a share intent.
-> Devs, any stories on trying something similar?
Any feedback appreciated.
I'm a new developer, old-time programmer. Put 2 apps out December 21, 2009 and I'm approaching a whopping 30 sales; be happy you have 1,000+ (or more)
Wish I could help with the question, but I'm not really sure how to expose apps to a wider audience. I've thought about porting to iPhone/iPad and Windows Mobile to expand my user base. But I'm still pretty new to Android development and want to get more into it before learning yet another programming language right now.
I've actually thought of going to local bars and trying to strike-up conversations with people using smartphones and showing them my apps. Maybe buy them a drink LOL.
I firmly believe that if you have a solid working app and one person uses it, they may tell 5 of their friends and maybe 2 of them will buy it and tell 5 more people of which 1 or 2 might but it. Pyramid type sales but it's slow moving.
What kind of bothers me is all the damn FREE apps out there; I think they should be segregated from the Google Market; I've yet to go to any type of Market and get something for free! LOL And I wonder about free apps sometimes. Take SMS pop-up or whatever it's called. It's a decent app...it's free. I saw it at "over 250,000 downloads". Well, why didn't they charge $1.00 or $0.50 for it (do the math, I'll take $125,000!!). Any possibility it's forwarding people's text messages? Just sayn'
adn37 said:
A few ideas:
- show a notification after a few days that the app hasn't been used, to encourage the user using it again.
- feature: user can share the app's install page with friends (stimulate organic growth), via a share intent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your first option sounds REALLY annoying. Your second option sounds perfectly fine. See later on for further points on what might help.
Rootstonian said:
What kind of bothers me is all the damn FREE apps out there; I think they should be segregated from the Google Market; I've yet to go to any type of Market and get something for free! LOL And I wonder about free apps sometimes. Take SMS pop-up or whatever it's called. It's a decent app...it's free. I saw it at "over 250,000 downloads". Well, why didn't they charge $1.00 or $0.50 for it (do the math, I'll take $125,000!!). Any possibility it's forwarding people's text messages? Just sayn'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not everyone is in it for the money. Some people just maybe write something that is missing on the market but don't want to make money from it. It might be just their hobby. Not everyone needs to be capitalistic, trying to turn everything into revenue.
The Android market is a lot about freedom, and there is high competition between free and paid apps. If your sole intent is to make money on apps, you will probably better off trying to target iOS. The most recent news I have is that an average iOS user will spend 7 times as much money on apps than an Android user. I think this fact kind of speaks for itself.
However if you still want to stick by, here are a couple of things I would suggest:
Offer a (free) lite version of your application as this will give users the ability to see whether your app means business or not, and if they'll like it they might go further to go for the paid version.
Android market uses keyword searching (there's probably a better term), so make sure your description hits as many possible words that may be applicable to your product while not being too heavy to read.
Advertising... don't ask me where as I wouldn't be able to help much with that. But if you're in it to make money, you probably have a business model so you should have some capital too that you can put into advertising.
That's about all I guess.
@Rootstonian
I have apps on the market, and in the last 3 months have made over $1k off ads in my free version, while only making about $250 off of the full paid version.
Very good responses there This forum does have some very intelligent people on it!
I'm anti-adware unfortunately. If that hurts my sales, then so be it; I can live with that. I won't allow ads in my apps.
As far as free versions, I would have to write "crippled" versions of the programs to limit full functionality. Well, not going to do that either. And to be honest, who can't afford $1.00?
Actually, the 15 minute return policy has hurt me I think. Some apps just can't be reviewed in 15 minutes, to wit, my current (almost done) Spam Text Blocker. There is no way someone can evaluate that in 15 minutes, so I have to code some type of limit on how many rows can go into the spam database.
Anyways, I'm way off topic (as usual) and being negative which is usually something I don't do. And I must remember, my stuff has only been out ONE month.
I do use a Macbook Pro, and I have downloaded the iPhone SDK; maybe I should take a break from Android OS and port a couple of apps to iOS and see what they do.
P.S. A smart man doesn't limit his options. How does the apps with ads stuff work?
Just apply to admob, its easy. They give nicely detailed usage statistics too
hi all,
Thanks for the feedback.
On "tell a friend about this app" feature:
Your second option sounds perfectly fine. See later on for further points on what might help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll just stick with that, then. Any idea what's best to link to? A blog? Android market?
I'm still looking for an app that does it in a nice way, as a case study.
I'm a new developer, old-time programmer. Put 2 apps out December 21, 2009 and I'm approaching a whopping 30 sales; be happy you have 1,000+ (or more)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel you. Unfortunately, this is all about execution and idea potential. As coders, we are often thinking about code quality, this is only the 1st step.
On ads: at the end of the day, it might be a hobby to design apps, but fun decreases when it comes down to fixing bugs for the sake of it. Ihmo, a slight revenue is good, as it encourages devs to keep up enhancing their apps.
I'm anti-adware unfortunately. ... And to be honest, who can't afford $1.00?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not a big fan of ads neither. It's all about culture. On Android, people are reticent to pay.
Good points and well said Adn
I actually got into this starting with Google Market apps, but my true goal is to get into corporate mobile development. I feel this is a technology barely in it's infancy. Just as almost all business' needed a web page, I think the same will hold true for a mobile app.
I just put in my resume to a company looking for an iPhone developer (1 year contract), but they also wanted to talk to Android developers too (wish me luck LOL).
Now, I'm on the fence as to what platform to go with. I think with the iPhone AND iPad, that iOS is the way to go with regards to corporate coding; so I'm going to head in that direction for now.

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