Point by point, here are my suggestions: >> 1. A real website...
While I agree with the basic assumption, there are at least two other places you can link to apps: http://www.androlib.com and http://www.cyrket.com - While these are not official Android sources, they do use the market API (unofficially) to produce their sites so they are up to date. We get download numbers and ratings already, also active installs. Sure it would be nice to have this in the developer console, but since it exists already, why bust the chops of the Android team just because you don't want to go to another URL? >> 2. A way for developers to see comments/ratings of their apps You've been able to do this for some time now without a device. Just search Google for "Android market app emulator" and you'll find references on how to do this. It's easy and painless to create an emulator with the market app, it may not be in the terms but if you need to see comments for your app without a device, it's a lot easier than using a psychic. Again, why go out of the way to ask for something you can do on your own? >> 3. A way for developers to reply to comments You can easily respond to comments on the market. I do it all the time. All you have to do is download your app to either your device or a market enabled emulator and add a comment when you feel you need to respond. I preface these comments by "Developer comment:" - it works great and prevents future users from being misinformed, plus it allows future users to know that the developer is in the loop. You can "change" your comment at any time and it still shows at the top of the heap. Perfect way to respond. The only downside is the historical record of your previous comments seems to be lost, but that's really nothing. >> 4. App description Now this is silly. 325 characters may not be the length of the Bible, but it is plenty to describe any app. If you need more space, add a link to your website where you can blather on and on about this and that function. I think the character limit is more a benefit than a curse in that it forces a developer to list only the things that make the app worthwhile. If you can't get a decent description in 325 characters, you're not trying hard enough. >> 5. Better developer console / statistics Ok, here I agree with you. However, I figured out an easy way to generate my own stats, plus there are third party companies that can supply you with anything you want. Flurry is one. Google Analytics does so as well I believe. I created this cool website: http://www.radarnow.net by simply including a webbug image in the UI and analyzing the logs. No need to bother the Android folks over something you can do yourself. >> 6. Multiple versions of an app This could be a great idea. Currently, I'm hamstrung by the limitations of 1.5. I have literally 10's of thousands of users on 1.5 that I can't abandon. If I go with 1.6+, they are all just left high and dry, if a bug is discovered, too bad. I think this isn't a good situation so haven't migrated to anything past 1.5. Ok, I agree whole hearted with #6. So the entire petition boils down (to me) to one reasonable thing that we can ask of the Android team. Sure, the other things are nice but there are many ways to accomplish this ourselves. We can't be making demands on Android because some of us aren't imaginative enough to figure out ways around the limitations. -John Coryat -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Developers" group. To post to this group, send email to android-developers@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to android-developers+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en
