Re: [android-discuss] sizes of alternative markets?

[Al Sutton]

Shane, Basically we're focused on anything that developers, OEMs, and users want :).  If we get requests from developers we'll act on them where possible, but we try not to re-invent the wheel so where there are existing solutions for a problem (e.g. Flurry for user/device/usage analytics and AdMob for in-app advertising) we'll point developers at those instead of providing our own offering so we can focus on the areas where functionality is missing (e.g. allowing developers to query our transaction database from within their app to help combat piracy). I wish you all the best with ZappMarket, but I hope you can build it on positive PR.  I'm sure every market operator knows of things that are wrong or broken on other markets, but publicising these will inevitably start us on a downward spiral of everyone criticising everyone else which will leave users, developers, and OEM with the impression that Android doesn't have any good application distribution offerings. You and I have had a good working relationship in the past where information was shared behind closed doors about issues affecting us both (e.g. the Archos market leaching from both our sites and getjar), and I hope we can continue to work together in this way and that doesn't have to end for fear of you addressing an issue and then a publicising it as a negative aspect of the other markets. My experience of George is that he's not been as open as you were, but that's how he wants to run things, and I respect the fact that it's his decision to run his market that way, but I do hope the two of you can find a way to work productively together in the community, which I believe will be more beneficial to everyone in the long run. Al. -- * Looking for Android Apps? - Try http://andappstore.com/ * ====== Funky Android Limited is registered in England & Wales with the company number  6741909.  The views expressed in this email are those of the author and not necessarily those of Funky Android Limited, it's associates, or it's subsidiaries. On 22 Mar 2010, at 01:42, Shane Isbell wrote: I can't speak for everyone's individual reason, but I can put some general perspective on the issue. First, the number of downloads for an alternative market won't compare to Android Market. For many developers, this is the end of the story and they move no further in their consideration. The reasons I've seen for uploading to alternative markets are: 1) Better web presence and promotion than Android Market. There are also places like cyrket out there that help address this need. 2) Selling to users that don't have access to Android Market 3) Applications that are banned from Android Market (tethering, adult) 4) Developer from a country that can't sell on the Android Market (Speed Forge 3D) From what I've seen, (1) is the biggest reason. Sales are rather pathetic in alternative markets but it allows small groups of users who really want the app. Some users claim this reduces piracy. Assuming SlideME 's direction is still the same, it is focusing on (1), (2), and (4). I assume AndAppStore may be as well, but I'll let Al speak to that. ZappMarket isn't focused on any of these 4 points. It is focusing on helping successful paid application developers to increase sales and understand their user base. It's not focused on the web, international sales or banned apps. I've opened it up to free app developers to provide a place to go, with all the problems that SlideME is having. From free app developers, I've already gotten negative feedback about not having (1), so ZappMarket won't help those individuals for a while. My guess is that web promotion is the number one reason for free application developers. On Sun, Mar 21, 2010 at 5:27 PM, Martin Hinsch <hinsch.mar...@gmail.com> wrote: With all the discussion about SlideMe and Zappmarket going on, I was wondering - those of you who have submitted their apps to several markets, how many downloads do you get? Do alternative markets really matter, especially in comparison to the official Google market, or is that more of a long-term perspective thing? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Discuss" group. To post to this group, send email to android-discuss@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to android-discuss+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-discuss?hl=en. -- 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 Discuss" group. To post to this group, send email to android-discuss@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to android-discuss+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-discuss?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Discuss" group. To post to this group, send email to android-disc...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to android-discuss+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-discuss?hl=en.