Database Users

iPhone Installer-ish repository

One of the most important things that makes iPhone appealing for the end-user is the famous Installer. Although jailbreaking your device is not something Apple wants you to do, everyone does it, and it was one of the main reasons that iPhone became so popular.
An end-user who wants goodies for his phone does not know how to search online for applications, choose the best, download, copy, and install... Installer saves you this hassle by providing a one-stop location to download (virtually) any application you might want, using the iPhone itself, making it extremely easy for the user.
Is there a similar application for WM? If not, can't we start it XDA-Developers and build a general public repository for freeware applications to promote the applications of developers here in the forums and contribute the WM software community? The application would have to be widely advertised and not just included in custom ROMs by default, so that people who don't know how to install custom ROMs can get a copy of this application easily.
This is a proposal to the developers to start a new application, not a request for an already available one. I don't have the required development skills for it.
[Was this discussed before? Can't find a trace]

I agree!
Since the new 2.0 FW came out I have been using my iPhone again. I actually still prefer my Touch even with the new exchange support. The installer (app store and Cydia for now) on the iPhone is amazing. While I know how to install apps, think about the new WM user. If they had an installer program that could be downloaded and installed from a site (here?) and then have access to installing programs like S2U2, S2P, PCM Contacts, Keyboards, or even pay products like SPB MS, UL, etc. Potentially the program could also monitor for updates, so when A_C (the great!) comes out with a new update, the user would not need to be checking this forum and happen to see the thread with the update, it would be notified by the application on the device (when they launch the installer app). Skins could be available, the possibilities are endless - the iPhone has proven that.
As far as the application itself, I am no programmer, but it seems like it would be fairly easy to create a program that would look for a list of cab files on a website directory, download the list and allow the download and installation of the cab file. Yes, No?

I agree, this would be very useful. Currently I use Ubuntu Linux, and downloading and installing programs is this easy, because of repositories. I just search for a program using a package manager, and I'm given a list of programs that is relevant to my search. Then I simply have to click and install. I've seen this on the iPod touch, and it is very useful and quick

I just found that someone proposed a similar idea at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=396486.
However, the approach is not logical as someone has proposed using a thread filtering algorithm instead of creating an actual repository.
Anyway, isn't any developer interested?!

I was looking for something similar since ages. However, the best bet I think (in terms of ease of development) would be to setup a ppc-friendly website with freeware cabs available. Ofcourse, not an ideal solution but should do the trick. How about something like an AppStore for ppc devices ?

A web site won't serve the purpose. There are several web sites out there already. A Windows Mobile application will make it completely different. It can serve as a UI for a cab manager (much like *nix apt-get or other package managers: Installer, Cydia, App Store). The point is reaching the end-user through the phone, not a web site, not the PC.

z_rudy said:
A web site won't serve the purpose. There are several web sites out there already. A Windows Mobile application will make it completely different. It can serve as a UI for a cab manager (much like *nix apt-get or other package managers: Installer, Cydia, App Store). The point is reaching the end-user through the phone, not a web site, not the PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, even if someone managed to make such an app, in idea it would still be needing a working internet connection to download the cabs. So in a way it is as internet dependent as a website. However, I agree that such a software would be cool but difficult to develop.

Isn't one of the features of the installer app that users can add repositories from all over the place,but still have a unified interface at the end of the day? A website could not achieve that.
Surur

In the meantime why not set up an rss feed from eg: http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ and you are at least halfway there.

Skymarket - Windows Mobile app store coming “this fall”
http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=819
The answer

-removed- will announce full launch soon.

hmmm... isn't a wiki the easiest answer?
everyone can modify it and it has enough structure to make it as deep as folks want and search is built in.
and it can be quite fast on mobile if no graphics.

if I see itunes not wanting to start up every other week because there is another update, I'm going to simply uninstall it.
There is already an paa like this in our phones .. the MS version that does not do ****. if anything, all it would take is have it register the programs installed on the ppc, and have the ms version search for updates in the middle of the night while we sleep. the only thing though: the developers have to put a link for the updates in the about section. this would help MS update check those websites for updates, instead of having someone putt all the labor hours collecting cabs. the developers can do it them selves everytime they make an update just like posting it on a thread.
Unfortunately, MS does not have much on their website other than promotional advertising for their own product.

it will be hard work but very possible. considering all the custom roms out there, not many cabs can be installed with just a tap of the stylus. there will be dependency issues, memory issues, etc. but anyway, check out Device Update of CrC's roms for hermes. it's a small repo for his rom. cool, aint it?

gotvitamink said:
I agree, this would be very useful. Currently I use Ubuntu Linux, and downloading and installing programs is this easy, because of repositories. I just search for a program using a package manager, and I'm given a list of programs that is relevant to my search. Then I simply have to click and install. I've seen this on the iPod touch, and it is very useful and quick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly this.
Makes many things much easier.

Calling all programmers to help finish xperia-like Dynamo 3 task switcher!

Hey all,
I have been in contact with the author of the Dynamo task switcher program for a little while now, and he has decided to give up work on a new version of the program because he does not have enough time to devote to it anymore (if you haven't heard of it, look here: http://www.aspecto-software.com/punbb/viewforum.php?id=2). As such, he's released the source code, which I am posting here. I'm hoping some industrious programmers here with some time on their hands could have a look at it, and finish where he left off. Here is what he's written about it.
"Although I truly think Dynamo is a great application and deserves to be maintained, I have been unable to find enough time to finish off and release a new version.
The source you'll find here is an almost completed new version of Dynamo that I had hoped would work on phones. As you may be aware, Dynamo 2 will not work on Windows smartphones and the aim of this version was to create a single version that worked on both standard PDAs and phones.
When built, the current code will execute on a phone and try to hook up one of the hard-keys as a key to launch Dynamo. When clicked, this key will then activate Dynamo and show the programs in the dynamo interface as expected (if this fails for any reason simply manually launch Dynamo again to activate it). The apps can then be selected as per Dynamo's normal behaviour. The program is indeed near completion. In my opinion all that needs to be done to get it completed (for the phone at least) is to correctly identify the applications that are phone operating system ones and not worth displaying (you'll notice that currently Dynamo displays a few applications that are OS caretaking apps, and can't really be selected), and to generally tidy up the interface to make it look nice for release.
Please note that all the code is released under the GNU software license, as follows...
Copyright (C) 2008 Marek Bell & Malcolm Hall
Email: [email protected]
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2
of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
GNU General Public License for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA."
Edit: See this thread if you don't know what Dynamo is: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=367399

------------

You can edit just do advanced edit and change title.

I just wanted to say that you're an illiterate [email protected]
that's all i wanted to say.

nir36 said:
I just wanted to say that you're an illiterate [email protected]
that's all i wanted to say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel so appreciated

This is great news! I just tried 3d alt tab yesterday, but it lacks the random access that Dynamo gives. Also with the Xperia coming out soon I expect this kind of animated task switcher will become very popular (for phones that are not the xperia of course).
Surur

surur said:
This is great news! I just tried 3d alt tab yesterday, but it lacks the random access that Dynamo gives. Also with the Xperia coming out soon I expect this kind of animated task switcher will become very popular (for phones that are not the xperia of course).
Surur
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I think the random access on this program if far superior to the 3D alt-tab program that is being developed here. I've been using Dynamo 2 for months now, and it's really fantastic, just needs landscape support, exclusion ability, and a couple other tweaks and it'd be perfect. According to the author the new version posted here only requires a little more work to complete, so hopefully someone will look into it.
Pretty please?

bump.
Surur

Come on people, this is probably the greatest task-switcher program ever written for Windows Mobile and there's not a single developer on here that wants to put the finishing touches on an almost completely written code?!

I second to that!!!
+1
People - come on, join with this, the more requests we get, the more the probability rises that someone will notice this and act.

Strongly agree

surur said:
This is great news! I just tried 3d alt tab yesterday, but it lacks the random access that Dynamo gives. Also with the Xperia coming out soon I expect this kind of animated task switcher will become very popular (for phones that are not the xperia of course).
Surur
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is the random access?

roozbeh said:
what is the random access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It means being able to instantly access any of running programs (so you can see list/thumbnails of _all_ running programs and just click the one you need), as opposed to sequential access (only next and previous program) used in 3d alt-tab.

Anyone able to post some pics?

dantegl36 said:
Anyone able to post some pics?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this thread for an animated gif of it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=367399

I really hope someone picks this up i have been looking for this exact app for my phone for a verry long time
nice find!

htctoucher said:
I really hope someone picks this up i have been looking for this exact app for my phone for a verry long time
nice find!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think a lot of people have. It's been around for years, it's just that no one has ever heard of it.

this is app is great,
calling all programmers who can help
finish this cool stuff,

i fully agree!!!!!!! we need a new build that works on all the devices, cmon developers

Freaking bump

[X] WApps - A windows mobile "appstore"

I got the idea to make a application finder software for Windows Mobile. Specially designed to HTC Diamond, with many G-apps & games and other nice apps. It's under development now, and i will release one screenshot for you.
This app will not be just an styled IE-frame, like many "appstore" like apps that have been released before.
19. October 2008:
New Screenshot of the start screen.
Development stopped, becouse of the Gecko project.

I think this is a phenominal idea. The idea that went around recently was an internet based solution through ie explorer and it just was not device friendly. To have a device based solution is much more sensable. If you could create a server that developers could upload their most recent programs too that would be the best.
Maybe contact the system admin on this site and see if he will give your program to access the sites FTP server or something. Then a user could use your device based program that would seemlessly connect to the interenet in the back ground, poll the server for software, sort it and place it into a thumb friendly interface on the phone by which it could be sorted into categories of games, utilities, themes, programs etc etc....
Of course the admin would have to create those categories on the site's side and the developers would need to upload their program to the correct one but I think everyone has been in such a need for this that they would be willing to do it without much arm twisting.
Or, you could create device user interface that interacts with Orb.com... But then you would have to get the updates of programs and upload them to ORB for your program to work. But ORB does already have a sorting feature that your user controls on the device could be made to access for sorting etc. It even has a video section that a user could download tutorials of different programs that someone took time to make.
All just ideas. Some you may find good or not. I am excited to see a device based program though. It make user intereaction easier.
Curious G.

yes
Its a good idea, keep working on it

seems to be a nice idea

I like the idea but this really depends on what will be offered / how updated the actual site behind the store application is. Have you had any thoughts on that yet?

i second that.
at this time i browse via opera tho xda to download stuff... but having a app that simplifies things would be even better...
maybe all the downloads here could be managed and put upto "youre" server in an automated way..

I remember seeing this article a few weeks ago about Microsoft creating their own app store.
http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/n.../job-advert-reveals-microsoft-skymarket.phtml
Either way, it's certainly a good idea!!

I forward the notion. An app that has all the apps at hand for easy download by category would kick some serious asss..
If I can help in any way let me know.
Greetings to all.

Love this development. Maybe this progress will open up eyes on new skilful programmers and we will see an increase of good looking apps and games. Not that I don't just love the things going on here at xda. But the more the merrier, right? The only complaint that I might have on this forum is the all the threads with wallpapers and especially the ones with half-naked women...But that's me...
So an app store (or two) is going to make it easier for us to sort out what we are interested in and only that.

If needed count me in I can help develop..

Great idea.
In the spirit of AppToDate, which I found worked very very well. But with YouTube-app like interface, all connected to database were latest apps can get installed.
Great idea!

I'm working to figure out how to connect to MySQL from a windows mobile based device, does anyone here know?

double post****

i think if these two threads could be incorporated
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=428480
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=433913
that would be a good way to do storage
each developer could use have there own account and then whenever they updated there app they update the wapps link via web or give it like some type of flash capabilities that would be really great
or there could be a generic account that ever one uses to upload too
looks like this is in the works http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=436127
maybe some collabo might be nice

Nice project!! GoOd Luck!!

If there was a way to advertise this app when it gets made. the diamond would sell millions

Why not just modify a RSS feed reader?

niikoo said:
I'm working to figure out how to connect to MySQL from a windows mobile based device, does anyone here know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe Sqlite is more accurate for a mobile device ?
And you just download the sqlite file available on a server, this way requests would be very fast.

masterbox said:
Maybe Sqlite is more accurate for a mobile device ?
And you just download the sqlite file available on a server, this way requests would be very fast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, every time you start it will update from the web or you can click on a button to update (or an 'update every x minutes' function

please keep up the hard work!!!!! love to see this appstore happen!

HTC/Windows vesion of apple "App store"

Had a quick search, couldn't find anything, sorry if it's a repeat..
Anyway, I love my HD, it's a cracking bit of kit, but I'm finding the lack of support for many things (take flash player streaming on BBC over HDSPA for example) really quite frustrating, not least as the youtube app works so well - which leads me to the bigger picture.
Apple have the appstore for their i-phone, a place where you can find all the applets for the phone - surely HTC or Miscro$oft should be looking at something similar for their range of phones/OS?
Am I missing a trick here? Have I missed the HTC/WinMo equivalent?

I think you mean something like " Cydia " for the IPhone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKerR-P-jGQ
That would be cool. I thought about the same thing at the Weekend. Why should we not have a universal download Program for all the Freeware in our Windows Mobile based machine.

Free Cabs
I Think this can help not program but helpful
http://www.freecabs.de
Mrahman

Microsoft are developing this, it is called Windows Mobile Marketplace
http://client.marketplace.windowsmobile.com/

Meza1 said:
Microsoft are developing this, it is called Windows Mobile Marketplace
http://client.marketplace.windowsmobile.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - nothing like leading the market eh Microsoft?
How long has windows mobile been a common smartphone/PDA operating system now?

There are loads of websites giving free CABs for all kinds of programmes. Because Windows Mobile doesn't have a central 'approval' thing like Apple do, anyone can write ANY kind of program for WM phones. Apple decide what makes it onto their phone and what doesn't, hence the need for their centralised AppStore.
Try this: www.pocketpcfreeware.mobi (from your mobile). Lots of good stuff

Or this: http://msmvps.com/blogs/nunoluz/archive/2009/04/09/pocket-gear-now-has-own-appstore.aspx

CreepinJesus said:
There are loads of websites giving free CABs for all kinds of programmes. Because Windows Mobile doesn't have a central 'approval' thing like Apple do, anyone can write ANY kind of program for WM phones. Apple decide what makes it onto their phone and what doesn't, hence the need for their centralised AppStore.
Try this: www.pocketpcfreeware.mobi (from your mobile). Lots of good stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am aware of the numerous places where the software is available, and long may that continue, as it means independent developers can continue their excellent work, but with the Apple model you have a 'one stop shop', accessible directly from a simple app on the phone that gives you simple access to many 'official' applets.
Whilst I'll always be looking at the independent sector, following the recommendations from places such as this site (and what an excellent resource it is!), there really needs to be a central, 'approved' market place for the mass-market apps, and so that developers can see a genuine, financially viable reason to develop for the platform, something that isn't really there at the moment in the fractured, unfocused model we currently have.

And how are developers going to benefit from being ripped off by a company like Apple or MS twice - once in the form of rubberstamping their work, and then in the form of a sales commission?

vangrieg said:
And how are developers going to benefit from being ripped off by a company like Apple or MS twice - once in the form of rubberstamping their work, and then in the form of a sales commission?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the same way most companies do...
The point of the central depository is that people looking for apps look there, is it not?
http://appstore.pocketgear.com

New Google Maps Available With Layers 3.2

Check out fuzemobility for more info
http://www.fuzemobility.com/google-maps-for-mobile-now-with-layers/
Or go to http://www.google.com/mobile/products/maps.html#p=default
Release notes (version 3.2)
Below is a list of new features and fixed issues for Google Maps for mobile available in version 3.2 for Symbian Series 60 and Windows Mobile devices.
Installing
Install version 3.2 for Symbian Series 60 and Windows Mobile devices by going to http://m.google.com/maps in your mobile web browser. To ensure proper device detection, use your phone’s original, native browser, such as Internet Explorer Mobile on Windows Mobile devices.

WinMo app is not there anymore (page removed)

gmm 3.2.0 cab
I don't know why google makes it such a pain in the balls to get gmm cabs but here it is.

thanks mate

the link is dead...
never mind, it worked a couple of minutes later...

ya the link on their website for it isn't working.
Anyway it's nice they updated it with the new features.
Now if they would just give us lowly windows-mobile users that google-voice app that they released for everyone else.....

Sweet!
Having traffic accident info is EXACTLY what I have been hoping for.
Good F'n job Google!
Now if they can just integrate weather updates based on cell tower/gps location it would be brushing up against perfect.
(And yes I know Live Search/Bing already does this.)

don't work on Diamond2???

braulioleonardo said:
don't work on Diamond2???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You installed to Memory Card, right?
As the website said, you have to uninstall, delete any files in the Program Files/ folder for Google Maps, and then restart your phone, and then re-install.
I hate Google's impossible links. Annoyingggg.

What I'd really like to see is Google Earth!!!

Old faithful said:
What I'd really like to see is Google Earth!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I'm already waiting for Google Seas or Space.

thanks for the heads up. downloaded and loving it. especially since they updated transit info this might be the best thing to happen to city dwellers

d0ugie said:
I don't know why google makes it such a pain in the balls to get gmm cabs but here it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can always count on you to deliver the goods when the manufacturer can only provide a 404.
Cheers Mate!

ace10134 said:
Really? I'm already waiting for Google Seas or Space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Galaxy would be absolutely fantastic ... you have no idea how much of a pain it is to find directions to Omicron Persei 8.

hilaireg said:
Can always count on you to deliver the goods when the manufacturer can only provide a 404.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know das' right my man, I deliver! Can't claim I've got the fastest connection in the world (dsl...) but my server's had 100% uptime since I flipped the switch on for blownfuze back in december.
In google's defense you don't want to be giving out your new hot software to people unless you're sure you're giving them the right version for their phone's OS and with all these different browsers for all phones and I guess it's getting hard to tell what kind of phone they've got based on their http user agent. Almost everybody who uses winmo phones are not like us, don't flash new roms of new builds of different winmo releases, don't use leaked betas of browsers... still, why not let people download from their computer like everyone else who distributes software. For example, here's a user agent that just hit my server log:
"Opera/9.50 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.2.13216/574; U; en)"
Hard to tell which OS that guy's running and google doesn't want to release crappy java versions of gmm anymore.
Doug

I hear ya.
Via devices ... makes total sense.
Via PC however, which is the only way I download CAB's, Google could save themselves tons of issues by following the lead of other manufacturers ...
Drop-Down List 1: Device (or O/S)
Drop-Down List 2: Language of GMM to download
Button: Download
... done. It's simple and requires no complex auto-detection, just a PC user who can read.
At least that's how it's done, I'm told, on Omicron Persei 8.

d0ugie said:
You know das' right my man, I deliver! Can't claim I've got the fastest connection in the world (dsl...) but my server's had 100% uptime since I flipped the switch on for blownfuze back in december.
In google's defense you don't want to be giving out your new hot software to people unless you're sure you're giving them the right version for their phone's OS and with all these different browsers for all phones and I guess it's getting hard to tell what kind of phone they've got based on their http user agent. Almost everybody who uses winmo phones are not like us, don't flash new roms of new builds of different winmo releases, don't use leaked betas of browsers... still, why not let people download from their computer like everyone else who distributes software. For example, here's a user agent that just hit my server log:
"Opera/9.50 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.2.13216/574; U; en)"
Hard to tell which OS that guy's running and google doesn't want to release crappy java versions of gmm anymore.
Doug
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DUDE! We run similar sites! Except I support the T-Mobile Wing while you're all for the Fuze. But I've gotta say my site looks better: http://thewingster.com/
Hehe. That's cool that we ended up doing the same thing though!
And Screenshots of the new Google Maps: http://thewingster.com/googlemaps.aspx

Taken Directly from Googles maps page:
Supported Phones
Google Maps for mobile works on most phones, including those that run the below platforms. You can always download Maps to your phone using your cellular connection -- just visit m.google.com/maps on your device's browser, or send yourself a text message using the button at the top of this page. Some mobile phones also support the ability to sideload Google Maps onto your phone.
Android
BlackBerry
Java
Windows Mobile: Download Binary
Symbian S60 3rd Edition (most new Nokia smartphones): Download Binary
Palm OS: Download Binary
iPhone (pre-installed)
If you're not sure whether your phone runs one of these platforms, just try sending yourself a text message to get Maps. It will probably work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So they do offer an easy way to download the cabs...

Yup ... site I usually go to ... looks like they fixed the broken links - no more 404.