Thanks guys
Rob/Kevin You guys are really give me some ideas here. Thank you for the advice on score loop but I don’t think I can user it because my app doesn’t keep scores or interact with my app on other phones. It’s not really a game. So I am not sure if that will benefit me? I looked though scoreloop but it looks like it is for comparing scores with other users within a social network. Am I right? Rob – I was actually thinking right along that same track. Each install app keeps a timer of itself when it was installed and asks to be uninstalled after 48 hours, BUT makes it clear to the user that uninstalling the install app does NOT remove the character from the main app. Kevin - you gave me a great idea very close to what you suggested. I do have a server side set up. Like I said I have a website set up with a shopping cart and everything where I WAS going to make people buy/download my characters from there. What if the install .apk not only installs the character like I stated but also takes the user ID from the database on the phone (which both the install .apk and the main program share the same sqlite DB) and it sends the information to the sever like you suggested that this user ID OWNS this character. So any updates to this character get sent to this user. If they uninstall the install app before the 48 hours (for the refund) then before it uninstalls it updates the server they do not own this character anymore and this character was removed. If they remove the .apk install app after the 48 hours (via the prompt like Rob suggested) they still own the character and get any updates. The character is not tied with the .apk after the initial install. They can still remove the character from the main app at any time and that will also tell the server that they do not own the character anymore. What do you guys think? On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 3:38 PM, Kevin Duffey <[email protected]> wrote: > I wonder if removing the .apks will bring up other issues, like updates? > For example, maybe not for your specific app, but what if a character .apk > has a bug in it.. you fix it.. but end users have uninstalled. Now they will > have to pay/reinstall again to get the updated toon even if they already > paid/installed before. > > Honestly Chris I don't think this is a viable solution. It's "close", but > not quite there due to the variations of issue that may arise from removing > the .apk. > > Here's a thought.. do you have a server side at all? If not, do you know > enough server side to do a quick appengine or, I found a host that charges I > think $15 a month to host a web app on a tomcat 6 server (I'll have to dig > it up again)... the idea is.. make a simple server side app that stores a > user's paid-for characters in a DB. That is.. the user goes to your site, > pays for a toon. You then update (in some secure/encrypted manner) the DB > for that user that they "own" that character. The next time they launch the > game, some how it pulls the server and down comes any new toons they paid > for. You can even allow for an SMS push notification that if they don't have > a wifi/3G connection, but do have cell.. your game could listen for SMS > messages (or a separate service piece to your game) and your server piece > can send an SMS message (not sure what API/service allows for this to work > tho) that when received updates the game for that user. Worse case, they > don't have SMS enabled services.. and no internet.. then they have to wait > till they do to get the character toons. Heck, they cant use the market to > buy them either without network.. so no loss there. > > > > On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 2:31 PM, Rob Mazur <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Maybe you could store the date you detected the new apk in the prefs >> and say after refund period has expired you throw a dialog that tells >> the user they can now uninstall the "addon pack". >> >> So for a few days (2 or 3 to be safe) your code checks that the apk is >> still there, if not then remove the character. Once the refund period >> has expired you throw up the dialog and can even kickoff the uninstall >> nicely with an intent. In your app description just make sure to >> inform them that they should not uninstall until directed, otherwise >> they will lose the character. But that the app will notify them when >> they can safely uninstall. >> >> On Mar 25, 5:11 pm, chris harper <[email protected]> wrote: >> > Warren >> > >> > I think you are right. I think if I do an uninstall on the app before >> the 24 >> > hour period then it refunds. Thanks for catching that. >> > >> > Which leaves only one option. >> > >> > The install app can have two buttons on it. >> > One to: Remove just the Install app >> > and another to: Remove the install app AND the Character >> > >> > So the USER has the option of removing either just the install app (so >> the >> > phone doesn't get cluttered with apk install files) OR removing the >> install >> > app AND the character. >> > >> > If they select EITHER button before the the 24 hour period for a refund >> then >> > both the install app and the character are removed. >> > >> > Which this can all be explained to the user within the install app. >> > >> > That should work. I would think? >> > >> > Rob >> > I just took a look at them. The MAIN thing I am trying to accomplish is >> to >> > make my characters available without requiring the user to enter finical >> > information again. >> > >> > I really believe if they don't have to do that and instead they just >> click >> > on "submit" to buy another character that will make a HUGE difference in >> the >> > amount of people that will buy my characters because its a two second >> thing >> > for them. >> > >> > They are at the DMV for example and board and like the characters in my >> app >> > (which they downloaded because it was free), so why not try another >> > character for .99 if they just have to click "ok"?? >> > >> > If I can just make it as seem-less as possible for an "install" apk to >> work >> > with my main app this would be a great thing (as well as other >> developers >> > like Warren). >> > >> > -Chris >> > >> > >> > >> > On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 2:58 PM, Rob Mazur <[email protected]> wrote: >> > > Chris, have you tried creating an account on ScoreLoop? Once logged in >> > > they have a note at the bottom about their Android SDK. They are >> > > making it available to a few developers and you can email them if you >> > > are interested. >> > >> > > IMO, until Google builds an in-app payment system, the best bet is to >> > > go with a company like ScoreLoop. I did read somewhere that they take >> > > a pretty hefty cut, but I don't know of any other options out there. I >> > > checked out OpenFeint but didn't see anything about Android. Plus this >> > > should only be temporary cuz it just wouldn't make sense for Google to >> > > miss out on the potential revenue available. >> > >> > > On Mar 25, 4:36 pm, chris harper <[email protected]> wrote: >> > > > Will an uninstall trigger a refund? If so maybe I just don't do a >> refund? >> > > I >> > > > don't deal with it? >> > >> > > > Is that an option? Can we do that? >> > >> > > > I plan on only charging .99 for a character. >> > >> > > > My main free app will contain two default characters (to get the >> user >> > > > hooked). >> > >> > > > So if they really likes the app and they think the characters are >> funny >> > > (I >> > > > have spent a lot of time on them) then they are more likely to still >> buy >> > > > another one if there is no refund...because it's ONLY .99 after >> all?? >> > >> > > > What do you think? Great point though. Thank you. >> > >> > > > On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 2:22 PM, Warren <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> > > > > *So I think I am in the ballpark, unless anyone sees anything I >> have >> > > > > overlooked?* >> > >> > > > > I think you overlooked something big. You plan to leave the data >> on >> > > > > the phone and uninstall the app. That works. But suppose I >> download >> > > > > the a character app, install the character, then immediately >> refund? >> > > > > Wouldn't I keep the character data? >> > >> > > > > Also, if you auto-uninstall within the refund period, will that >> > > > > trigger a refund? >> > >> > > > > If so, you guarantee 0 revenue. >> > >> > > > > On Mar 25, 3:14 pm, chris harper <[email protected]> wrote: >> > > > > > Thank you for all the interest guys. Really it helps and it can >> help >> > > > > feature >> > > > > > developers down the road. >> > >> > > > > > Shane it is tricky and I don't want to do against Googles >> blessing >> > > but >> > > > > their >> > > > > > lack of direction (or more like NO direction) on what developers >> > > should >> > > > > do >> > > > > > for virtual content has kind of backed us into this corner of >> "how >> > > can I >> > > > > > provide virtual content for my app?". >> > >> > > > > > I THINK I am close. >> > >> > > > > > The instructions for the characters are stored in the sqlite >> > > database. >> > > > > Where >> > > > > > the instructions for each character contain how to move, what >> images >> > > to >> > > > > use, >> > > > > > what sounds to play, different animation characteristics for >> each >> > > etc... >> > > > > but >> > > > > > the logic to RUN the instructions are in the main app. Hince the >> > > > > characters >> > > > > > are "modules" that my app uses. >> > >> > > > > > Now to do this via Market place I am thinking that I have to >> create a >> > > > > > different apk "intall" file for each character. >> > >> > > > > > Where in my main app I am using webview to go to my site to view >> > > > > additoinal >> > > > > > characters but once they select a character from my website then >> > > actual >> > > > > > checkout can be linked to the Market and to the .apk >> “installer” for >> > > > > just >> > > > > > that character. >> > > > > > They select the "ok", they download the .apk for that character. >> Then >> > > the >> > > > > > user (or maybe my main app can run the .apk installer >> pragmatically) >> > > > > runs the >> > > > > > "install" .apk. That runs which populates the database (which >> is >> > > used >> > > > > buy >> > > > > > the main app) with the character instructions and the installer >> > > places >> > > > > the >> > > > > > images and sounds on the phone for the main program to access >> for >> > > that >> > > > > > character. Now the character is installed. >> > >> > > > > > Now that would create a ton of .apk "install" app's on the phone >> (one >> > > for >> > > > > > each character). But I did find where a .apk can uninstall >> itself >> > > via: >> > >> > > > > > *Uri packageURI = Uri.parse("package:com.android.myapp"); >> > > > > > Intent uninstallIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_DELETE, >> > > packageURI);* * >> > > > > > * *startActivity(uninstallIntent);* >> > >> > > > > > * * >> > >> > > > > > *So after each install runs and installs the character then the >> > > installer >> > > > > > for that character can then remove itself. * >> > >> > > > > > *Where I don’t need the installer to uninstall the character. >> The >> > > Main >> > > > > App >> > > > > > has that functionality.* >> > >> > > > > > * * >> > >> > > > > > *The problem I have is when the install app uninstall’s itself >> it >> > > asks >> > > > > for >> > > > > > permission (which it should), but that can be confusing for the >> user >> > > who >> > > > > > JUST download it (and now it’s asking to be uninstalled??)* >> > >> > > > > > * * >> > >> > > > > > *So I think I am in the ballpark, unless anyone sees anything I >> have >> > > > > > overlooked?* >> > >> > > > > > ** >> > >> > > > > > ** >> > >> > > > > > *-Chris >> > > > > > * >> > >> > > > > > On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 12:56 PM, Shane Isbell < >> > > [email protected] >> > > > > >wrote: >> > >> > > > > > > On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 11:29 AM, Disconnect < >> > > [email protected] >> > > > > >wrote: >> > >> > > > > > >> Sure there is - when you load the saved game (or the app, or >> > > whatever) >> > > > > > >> check the content (characters, etc) against the installed >> > > > > applications. >> > >> > > > > > > Then you are back to the case of having a bunch of apks >> installed >> > > on >> > > > > the >> > > > > > > user's device, which I believe was the issue Chris was trying >> to >> > > avoid. >> > > > > In >> > > > > > > any case, it looks like a tricky problem to get this to work >> in >> > > Android >> > > > > > > Market without Google's blessing. >> > >> > > > > > >> On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 2:14 PM, Shane Isbell < >> > > [email protected] >> > > > > >wrote: >> > >> > > > > > >>> Hi Chris, >> > >> > > > > > >>> One other problem that may occur is that users purchase >> > > additional >> > > > > APKs >> > > > > > >>> (or virtual goods) and then after receiving them, simply ask >> for >> > > a >> > > > > refund on >> > > > > > >>> the APK. This allows them to keep your installer and main >> app and >> > > get >> > > > > as >> > > > > > >>> many add-ons and additional content as they want for free. >> There >> > > is >> > > > > no way >> > > > > > >>> to revoke the content once a refund has been issued. >> > >> > > > > > >>> Shane >> > >> > > > > > >>> -- >> > > > > > >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >> > > Google >> > > > > > >>> Groups "Android Developers" group. >> > > > > > >>> To post to this group, send email to >> > > > > [email protected] >> > > > > > >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> > > > > > >>> [email protected]<android-developers%[email protected]><android-developers%2Bunsubs >> [email protected]><android-developers%2Bunsubs >> > > [email protected]> >> > > > > <android-developers%[email protected]<android-developers%[email protected]><android-developers%252Bu >> [email protected]><android-developers%252Bu >> > > [email protected]> >> > >> > > > > > >>> For more options, visit this group at >> > > > > > >>>http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en >> > >> > > > > > >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> android-developers+ >> > > > > > >>> unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email with the >> > > words >> > > > > > >>> "REMOVE ME" as the subject. >> > >> > > > > > >> -- >> > > > > > >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >> Google >> > > > > > >> Groups "Android Developers" group. >> > > > > > >> To post to this group, send email to >> > > > > [email protected] >> > > > > > >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> > > > > > >> [email protected]<android-developers%[email protected]><android-developers%2Bunsubs >> [email protected]><android-developers%2Bunsubs >> > > [email protected]> >> > > > > <android-developers%[email protected]<android-developers%[email protected]><android-developers%252Bu >> [email protected]><android-developers%252Bu >> > > [email protected]> >> > >> > > > > > >> For more options, visit this group at >> > > > > > >>http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en >> > >> > > > > > >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> android-developers+ >> > > > > > >> unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email with the >> words >> > > > > "REMOVE >> > > > > > >> ME" as the subject. >> > >> > > > > > > -- >> > > > > > > Shane Isbell (Founder of ZappMarket) >> > > > > > >http://twitter.com/sisbell >> > > > > > >http://twitter.com/zappstore >> > > > > > >http://zappmarket.com >> > >> > > > > > > -- >> > > > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the >> Google >> > > > > > > Groups "Android Developers" group. >> > > > > > > To post to this group, send email to >> > >> > ... >> > >> > read more » >> >> -- >> Rob Mazur >> http://mobalyze.net >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups "Android Developers" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected] >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]<android-developers%[email protected]> >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en >> >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to android-developers+ >> unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email with the words "REMOVE >> ME" as the subject. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "Android Developers" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]<android-developers%[email protected]> > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to android-developers+ > unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email with the words "REMOVE > ME" as the subject. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Developers" group. 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