[android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
Our company BloomWorlds is developing a family friendly app store for the Android OS. We are catering to a niche market focusing on games, puzzles, and education content. We have some innovative solutions for developers, parents and their children of the Android platform. You get can more info at http://bloomworlds.com Thank you, Todd R. Levy Co-founder BloomWorlds On Dec 9, 8:10 am, Rich aguynamedr...@gmail.com wrote: I have gotten a few emails from proprietary app stores that offer distribution to their network of devices that don't come with the Android Market. Are these a sham? Are there any legit ones that stand out? I like the idea of one centralized market so that my download/rating metrics are accurate, and I imagine that the apk's must be pretty easy to crack open and decompile, but I was curious to see what the community thinks. The one email in particular I just received is from a company called Handster offering distribution on HP and LG devices. Anyone heard of them and/or have dealings with them? -- 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
[android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
I would be wary of the Chinese companies, you have no control over what they do and payment would be problematic. Most of the others are legitimate and offer an alternative to the somewhat quirky Android market. The issue isn't the companies offering these services, it's one of being in a small niche. Most mobile users depend on the market that came with their device. Only a handful of people will go outside the standard market to look for apps. -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
[android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
On Dec 9, 3:10 pm, Rich aguynamedr...@gmail.com wrote: I have gotten a few emails from proprietary app stores that offer distribution to their network of devices that don't come with the Android Market. Are these a sham? Are there any legit ones that stand out? I've also been looking into this. Alongside these stores, you should consider selling the download directly from your own website as people with these non-market devices will also be able to install things in that way. My expectation would be to get very modest download numbers, so my main consideration is the level of admin overhead. I looked at SlideMe, and it seems to be more bureaucratic than even Google or Apple! (You have to send them an invoice before they will pay you.) If anyone can suggest other stores that are really easy to set up and use, it would be interesting to hear about them. Maybe Amazon will be good, but their obvious deficiency is their geographic limitation. Regards, Phil. -- 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
[android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
I'm only a week into deploying my first paid app, and already I'm not happy with the Google Market. There are basic features for a developer that are missing. For instance I've been manually recording counts and statistics for my apps to see how the adoption rates change with the versions. I'm willing to try a few other app stores if I get better tools, but I likely won't leave my app out of the Market just because of it. - Brill On Dec 9, 10:10 am, Rich aguynamedr...@gmail.com wrote: I have gotten a few emails from proprietary app stores that offer distribution to their network of devices that don't come with the Android Market. Are these a sham? Are there any legit ones that stand out? I like the idea of one centralized market so that my download/rating metrics are accurate, and I imagine that the apk's must be pretty easy to crack open and decompile, but I was curious to see what the community thinks. The one email in particular I just received is from a company called Handster offering distribution on HP and LG devices. Anyone heard of them and/or have dealings with them? -- 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
[android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
The one email in particular I just received is from a company called Handster offering distribution on HP and LG devices. Anyone heard of them and/or have dealings with them? Handster is legitimate, but worthwhile is the question you'll need to answer. HP doesn't make Android devices, but LG does. Find out about that LG store and if it actually is preloaded on on the LG Android devices and if the same LG Android Devices do not have the Market. It might be more of a placement and publicity thing. That's why I'm going along with the Amazon store. I don't how big a seller my app will be on an Android Kindle, but there is some benefit to more people knowing it exists. I have an AndAppStore listing and actually update it once in a while. I have it so if some one says they can't see my paid app in the Market, or they don't want to deal with Google Checkout, I have somewhere to send them. It is more of a customer service time saver than a significant revenue generator (1% of Market sales). Nathan -- 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
[android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
On Dec 9, 9:31 am, Brill Pappin br...@pappin.ca wrote: I'm only a week into deploying my first paid app, and already I'm not happy with the Google Market. There are basic features for a developer that are missing. For instance I've been manually recording counts and statistics for my apps to see how the adoption rates change with the versions. I'm willing to try a few other app stores if I get better tools, but I likely won't leave my app out of the Market just because of it. I don't whether stores have better statistics that the Market, as bad as they are. Many of them can't track the active install percentage like the Market can. Statistical tools aren't a reason to do other stores. Would it help you tremendously to have better statistics for less than 1% of your traffic? Particularly if the behavior of the users might not match those on the Market? Invest in Analytics. Track the things you want to track across all stores. Track user behavior *after* install. Many people use Flurry, I've used Google Analytics and have done fine once I've worked around their bugs. I know things that some people would be surprised by. Nathan -- 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
Re: [android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
While I do think it is true that most users are not going to go outside the Market to download apps, I think many developers are missing the obvious benefits of having the 3rd party App Stores... and that is that a lot of people look for apps they want on the web, and then once they find the app they want, download it from the Market. I can tell you for sure that is how I find apps. I never search on the market. It's almost impossible to sort through the chaff using the Market App. I use the web, read blogs, use one of the alternative stores, and then once I know the name of the app I want to download then I do a market search for that exact name and download it. You may not get many downloads from the alternative stores, but that doesn't mean that isn't where users are finding your app. Sincerely, Brad Gies --- Bistro Bot - Bistro Blurb http://bgies.comhttp://nocrappyapps.com http://bistroblurb.com http://forcethetruth.com http://ihottonight.com --- Everything in moderation, including abstinence (paraphrased) Every person is born with a brain... Those who use it well are the successful happy ones - Brad Gies Adversity can make or break you... It's your choice... Choose wisely - Brad Gies Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has - Margaret Mead On 09/12/2010 7:39 AM, Maps.Huge.Info (Maps API Guru) wrote: I would be wary of the Chinese companies, you have no control over what they do and payment would be problematic. Most of the others are legitimate and offer an alternative to the somewhat quirky Android market. The issue isn't the companies offering these services, it's one of being in a small niche. Most mobile users depend on the market that came with their device. Only a handful of people will go outside the standard market to look for apps. -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
Re: [android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 11:53 AM, Nathan critter...@crittermap.com wrote: Many of them can't track the active install percentage like the Market can. Like the Market can? Really http://active install percent? I know things that some people would be surprised by. You tease. - TreKing http://sites.google.com/site/rezmobileapps/treking - Chicago transit tracking app for Android-powered devices -- 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
[android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
On Dec 9, 11:39 am, TreKing treking...@gmail.com wrote: On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 11:53 AM, Nathan critter...@crittermap.com wrote: Many of them can't track the active install percentage like the Market can. Like the Market can? Really http://activeinstall percent? Can (or could) and does well are two separate things. ;) Most other app stores can't track this. But how many people are *using* your app is far more valuable anyway, and you can track that much better with analytics. I know things that some people would be surprised by. You tease. I aim to please. But things like which keywords drive installs to your app is something more people should know (and not just think they know). Nathan -- 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
[android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
Here's my experience: I thought that the Verizon store sounded like a good idea so I went though the painful process of putting one of my apps up there in order to test the water. From what I can tell the app is published, but I have registered exactly zero sales. This app sells about 10-20 copies per day on the Android Market. Now that Google is finally putting a little effort into improving the Market, I think I'll just stick with them for now. One humble request: Please Google, for the love of God abolish the ridiculous 325 char limit! It is disappointing that my Android sales are still a fraction of my Apple sales for what is basically the same app. You'd think that with 30 new devices per day there would be some growth, but sales have been flat for the past several months. My app is in the top 5-10 for its category so it sells ok, but where is the growth? On Dec 9, 12:14 pm, Nathan critter...@crittermap.com wrote: On Dec 9, 11:39 am, TreKing treking...@gmail.com wrote: On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 11:53 AM, Nathan critter...@crittermap.com wrote: Many of them can't track the active install percentage like the Market can. Like the Market can? Really http://activeinstallpercent? Can (or could) and does well are two separate things. ;) Most other app stores can't track this. But how many people are *using* your app is far more valuable anyway, and you can track that much better with analytics. I know things that some people would be surprised by. You tease. I aim to please. But things like which keywords drive installs to your app is something more people should know (and not just think they know). Nathan -- 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
[android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
like the market does this with any kind of logic - how a declined credit card, or the user changing their mind should count as anything is beyond me. If you have to count it, count it as attempted sales maybe - but don't use to screw over my active install ratio On Dec 9, 11:53 am, Nathan critter...@crittermap.com wrote: On Dec 9, 9:31 am, Brill Pappin br...@pappin.ca wrote: I don't whether stores have better statistics that the Market, as bad as they are. Many of them can't track the active install percentage like the Market can. -- 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
[android-developers] Re: What's the general consensus on the non-Android affiliated app stores?
On Dec 9, 2:14 pm, kernelpanic j.m.roya...@gmail.com wrote: like the market does this with any kind of logic - how a declined credit card, or the user changing their mind should count as anything is beyond me. If you have to count it, count it as attempted sales maybe - but don't use to screw over my active install ratio There is an assumption here that the Market will use that (inaccurate) information against you. I don't know if that is proven, but I know it is commonly theorized. If they do, well, I'm pretty much screwed because I provide a time limited trial version. The Android Market agreement says that Such free trials for Products are encouraged. (yea right) Nathan -- 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
