You don't get notified BEFORE an uninstall, just after.
I think I may have a solution for you. I'm having trouble parsing this
thread; it may overlap with other suggestions here.
This suggestion is based on what I've done for the Free/Pro versions
of my SmartVolume app. (Only the Free is up at the moment). The whole
purpose of doing this app was to work out issues like this. It's
slightly different from your situation, but I think it would work with
a couple of changes.
First, in the manifest of my base app (my Free version, your actual
main app), I have the following receiver:
<receiver android:icon="@drawable/icon" android:enabled="true"
android:label="UpgradeReceiver" android:name="XUpgradeReceiver">
<intent-filter android:icon="@drawable/icon">
<action
android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_ADDED"/>
<data android:scheme="package"
android:pathPrefix='com.sfsmart.volume.'/>
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
The 'X' in 'XUpgradeReceiver' has to do with how I configure two
versions from the same set of sources, it's not particularly relevant
here, though I think it's rather clever...
My XUpgradeReceiver, together with some logging, cancelling a
notification, and Flurry stuff, does this:
Intent upgrade = new Intent("com.sfsmart.volume.UPGRADE")
.addFlags(FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
.putExtra("com.sfsmart.volume.FROM",
context.getPackageName())
.putExtra("com.sfsmart.volume.FROM_TYPE",
fromType.getPrettyName());
try {
context.startActivity(upgrade);
} catch (Exception ex) {
BaseVolumeApplication.error(TAG, ex);
}
The FROM identifies what was just installed.
Now, my new app (but your main app) handles the
com.sfsmart.volume.UPGRADE intent with this:
<activity
android:name="com.sfsmart.volume.app.UpgradedActivity">
<intent-filter android:icon="@drawable/icon">
<action android:name="com.sfsmart.volume.UPGRADE"/>
<category
android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT"></category>
</intent-filter>
</activity>
public class UpgradedActivity extends BaseBrowserActivity {
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
loadUrl("file:///android_asset/upgraded.xhtml");
}
@Override
public void onBackPressed() {
finish();
}
}
This actually launches a webview that's set up with some Javascript
callbacks. It basically informs the user:
Thank you for upgrading.
You have upgraded to the version, and your settings have been copied
from the *com.sfsmart.volume.FROM_TYPE* version. You no longer need
the *com.sfsmart.volume.FROM_TYPE* version, and it has been disabled,
to avoid conflicting with the version.
It is best to remove it now. If you wish to do so later, you can do so
through the Applications system settings.
And gives him a button that says "Delete SmartVolume Free", which
clicked, takes you to this code:
public class JavaScriptHandler {
...
public void deletePackage(String pkg) {
Intent upgrade = new
Intent("android.intent.action.DELETE")
.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
.setData(Uri.parse("package:" + pkg));
try {
startActivity(upgrade);
} catch (Exception ex) {
BaseVolumeApplication.error(TAG, ex);
}
}
...
public Object getExtra(String key) {
return getIntent().getExtras().get(key);
}
...
}
Which will then offer to delete the old version.
In your case, you'd instead copy what you wanted out of your new one
(which you can do if signed with the same key and given the same
userid), and then delete the new one, instead of the old.
The Javascript handler also also gives the script on the page access
to the extras in the intent, which is how it fills in the appropriate
spots in the text. You could also supply additional text and such in
the manifest of the download, and pass it along this way.
You might find this Javascript helpful:
function fixupVar(name, val) {
val = String(val);
var nodes = document.getElementsByClassName(name);
for (var i = 0; i < nodes.length; i++) {
var node = nodes[i];
if ((node.localName == 'A') || (node.localName == 'a')) {
node.setAttribute('href',
(node.getAttribute('href').replace(name, val) || val));
} else {
node.innerText = (node.innerText.replace(name, val) ||
val);
}
}
}
That is, I use class names to denote where to look in the document for
where to insert the text. Typically, I use <span class='varNAME'></
span> (and not <span class='varNAME'/> for reasons of compatibility
with some browser or other).
In my testing, this works pretty smoothly. It does involve the user in
two screens, but the first one is merely educational, so he doesn't
freak when presented with a delete-this-specific app dialog!
I think if a lot of us follow this path, users will also become more
accustomed to it.
It was important to handle in my case, because having both apps could
conflict.
Note with the pathPrefix intent filter, I'm not being notified of
every install, just the relevant one, so this is low-impact.
I use Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK, because after deleting the old,
that's the end of it. I'm not sure that'd be correct in your scenario,
though I think it might be.
What do you think?
On Mar 25, 3:57 pm, Kevin Duffey <[email protected]> wrote:
> Is there a way to be notified of uninstalls? I thought there wasnt?
>
> On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 3:51 PM, westmeadboy <[email protected]>wrote:
>
>
>
> > What is your specific reason for wanting to uninstall the character
> > apps?
>
> > You can make sure that they do not appear in the app drawer by using
> > the relevant intent filter. That would only leave them visible to the
> > user when they do something like Settings -> Applications or look in
> > the Downloads of the Market app.
>
> > On Mar 25, 11:09 pm, chris harper <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > 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
>
> ...
>
> read more »
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