Database Info

[Q] WP7 Api Questions

Im new to WP7 and app making, so I want to find some things out about making apps for it before I decide to buy a device, Ive been making some small apps over the past few days using the emulator and found some things that i thought would be useful to make some kick ass apps).
1. Is there such api that will help me with finding locations of stores (example: if i request information on Walmart and my gps coordinates it returns a list of close walmarts and their locations).
2. Anyway to take control of certain system settings with permission from user? (change ringer profile on monday - friday 8 am - 5 pm to vibrate automatically)
3. Say I want to have an app that uses GPS and saves my location during a specific time, does that mean I have to have the app running in the foreground since microsoft does not allow people to have their apps run in the background, is this correct?
Thanks

1.no
2.no
3.no, not possible

vetvito said:
1.no
2.no
3.no, not possible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. So any app that has any sort of feature maintains its own database for store locations?
2. How about in the future? I know multi tasking will probably come but what about system settings and what not, do you think they will provide an API to work with if the user gives some sort of permission (like UAC in windows 7).

i think flat out responses that vetvito are more not quite true. my corrections to them would be these answers...
1. if there is a web version of this around or an app you see on iOS/Android which utilises GPS but uses an online database, it's quite easily doable on windows phone provided it uses simple HTTP web requests.
2. at this present, this isn't possible, that is for sure.
3. you are correct in your understanding. it does require being in the forground. if the app is running in the forground, it could easily do as you say provided it doesn't get put into tombstone state. it just requires the write coding done which is quite doable.

The Gate Keeper said:
i think flat out responses that vetvito are more not quite true. my corrections to them would be these answers...
1. if there is a web version of this around or an app you see on iOS/Android which utilises GPS but uses an online database, it's quite easily doable on windows phone provided it uses simple HTTP web requests.
2. at this present, this isn't possible, that is for sure.
3. you are correct in your understanding. it does require being in the forground. if the app is running in the forground, it could easily do as you say provided it doesn't get put into tombstone state. it just requires the write coding done which is quite doable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! !

The Gate Keeper said:
i think flat out responses that vetvito are more not quite true. my corrections to them would be these answers...
1. if there is a web version of this around or an app you see on iOS/Android which utilises GPS but uses an online database, it's quite easily doable on windows phone provided it uses simple HTTP web requests.
2. at this present, this isn't possible, that is for sure.
3. you are correct in your understanding. it does require being in the forground. if the app is running in the forground, it could easily do as you say provided it doesn't get put into tombstone state. it just requires the write coding done which is quite doable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how were my answers wrong. You just provided workarounds that makes the app useless. Not worth the time or effort.
3. wouldn't work at all, it would be pointless.
1. may work, but it has to be simple.

1. Nothing like that is built into the platform, but there may be publicly available webservices for that. Here are some options
Yelp (http://www.yelp.com/developers/documentation)
Foursquare (http://developer.foursquare.com/)
Facebook Places (http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/api/)
Google Places (http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/places/#PlaceSearchRequests)
The WP7 API should support communication with these services.

PG2G said:
1. Nothing like that is built into the platform, but there may be publicly available webservices for that. Here are some options
The WP7 API should support communication with these services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I appreciate it!

[NEW] New Android service: Get rss/atom notifications for App updates

Work-In-Progress
Domain is up
AppFeed.net
​
Coomon problem:
As many of you knows, there is no app or service for Android where users can request notifications of application updates, especially the price changes (mainly price drop), or updates for slow updating apps.
Solution:
My solution was to develop a website where users can add applications to a list, and get a unique RSS/Atom feed that notifies them whenever the apps gets updated (Price, Version, etc).
The feed can be added to any application that support it: Desktop Readers/notifiers (tested with Thunderbirds), Web-based readers (Tested with Google Reader).
I intended to add other forms of notifications, but later found that with the service if this then that I can create tasks that monitor my unique feed that do everything else: Email notifications, Twitter posts, or any other channel provided by the ifttt.com service.
Usage examples:
Some usage examples for such a service:
1) I like a paid app, but its cost is a bit high for me, so I add the app to my watch list to get notified if/when the app gets on sale, instead of having to check frequently or miss an opportunity to get the app during a great sale (happened to me few times already).
2) I like and played a game, and finished all levels, the developer promised extra levels, instead of leaving the game installed on my device and wait for updates, I can uninstall it and add it instead to my list and get notified when it's updated.
3) With Android Play Store auto update feature enabled, I miss most app updates, with notifications on selected apps I can see when those apps gets updated.
4) Other usages...
Status of the project
Currently this project is being developed and tested by just myself, and it seems to be working as expected. But to have a good service, I need some to extra help to test it better, to suggest features, etc.
What is mainly missing is some legal advice, such as a privacy policy and term of service, and on whether I can put up such a service (does Google allow this kind of service? knowing they do not provide API for the Google Play).
What is still missing the some text, I am not a native-English speaker so still trying to put things correctly.
Privacy
I take privacy issues very seriously.
To make this service work, I opted for using 3rd party sign-in (Google and Twitter), what is saved on the DB is a hash of the sso unique token, not even I can get the clear one. User name and email are required, and are saved encrypted in the DB (with AES), and get decrypted only during login to show your name on the top bar, nothing else.
Here is a screenshot of the main wishlist:
And here is what you get in the rss feed, through Google Reader:

Questions or Problems Should Not Be Posted in the Development Forum
Please Post in the Correct Forums & Read the Forum Rules
Moving to Q&A

lufc said:
Questions or Problems Should Not Be Posted in the Development Forum
Please Post in the Correct Forums & Read the Forum Rules
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My topic is more development than questions, maybe not an Android App but and Android service

Updated post #1.
project is going well, anybody is interested, please let me know (by leaving a comment), if I get enough feedback, I'll get a domain and host it somewhere, currently it is running on a personal domain.

Update:
Got a domain for my new service, and now it is up and running.
check the first post for link and info

Hi,
while using google for authentication, I am actually notified that your website wants to "manage your contacts".
What is the reason behind that?
Thanks a lot
ale

alanzed said:
Hi,
while using google for authentication, I am actually notified that your website wants to "manage your contacts".
What is the reason behind that?
Thanks a lot
ale
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the authentication I use the HybridAuth library, and this is the minimum that I can ask for from Google for use the OAuth authentication, if there is anything less, I'll do it, but I can't find how.
Twitter authentication has just Read Only access (Minimum available).
Update:
Found the solution, now it doesn't ask for Manage Contacts...

[Q] open source alternative to airdroid

Hello,
I would like to ask if there is some open source alternative to airdroid/3cx droiddesktop? I really like these apps, but they miss some functionality I need.
Thanks

Which functionality are you referring to?
If you provide more specific detail, maybe you can get better help.

SourceGecko said:
Which functionality are you referring to?
If you provide more specific detail, maybe you can get better help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be specific at this moment I need to remote control Google Play Music Application on one android device using some web interface (this is not supported by applications mentioned above, but I think it can be implemented if source codes were provided).
I know there are standalone applications, like Music Remote but none of them works for me at this moment.
I would like to find some open source project which provides functionality similar to airdroid, I mean remote management of android device using web interface, so I could extend it and create support for remote control of google play music app without having to implement whole interface.

[Q] I have just create a website for android apps statistics

I have just create a website for android apps statistics.
I find there is leak of statistics of android app comparison with other developer, so I create a website force on statistic that let you know rankings of you app, and how well is your app perform.
Android Analytics - Android Apps Statistics Website (androidanalytic.com)
But, I have several question, hope someone can help me.
1. What else feature that you want suggest me add into the website?
2. Anyone have suggestion for me to work on marketing / SEO?

Android Analytics said:
I have just create a website for android apps statistics.
I find there is leak of statistics of android app comparison with other developer, so I create a website force on statistic that let you know rankings of you app, and how well is your app perform.
Android Analytics - Android Apps Statistics Website (androidanalytic.com)
But, I have several question, hope someone can help me.
1. What else feature that you want suggest me add into the website?
2. Anyone have suggestion for me to work on marketing / SEO?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Suggestions:
- you can represent to 5 or top 10 apps as graphs in Apps Statistics and Developers Statistics
- you can put a description page describing how this tool could be used.
- put a about us page

Android Analytics said:
I have just create a website for android apps statistics.
I find there is leak of statistics of android app comparison with other developer, so I create a website force on statistic that let you know rankings of you app, and how well is your app perform.
Android Analytics - Android Apps Statistics Website (androidanalytic.com)
But, I have several question, hope someone can help me.
1. What else feature that you want suggest me add into the website?
2. Anyone have suggestion for me to work on marketing / SEO?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Working with startups can be both challenging and rewarding. For a small design/dev shop this can mean operating under strict time and budget constraints. On the other hand, nothing can be more exciting when millions of people use the product you created. That is why i wanna share my experience with you and recommend you to check web development service cause that guys can create everything and help you with some marketing/seo.

Alternatives to download official apps

Hi,
The vast majority of my apps come from F-droid and Github but a few ones can only be downloaded on the Google Play Store.
I don't have Google services on my device so I'm looking for a reliable tool/website to update those apps. I know Raccoon but a PC is required and I don't have one during the week.
I found APKpure a few weeks ago. Apparently all apps have to pass a signature verification so they guarantee safe downloads. It seems legit and I did compare the SHA1 of their apk and the one downloaded from Google Play. The apk hasn't been altered. One positive result doesn't mean that we can't have negative ones though
I don't like "mirror websites". The owner of apkpure, apkupdate and apkplz seems to be the same so it's more complicated for me to trust those sources. Why do they need all these websites? I didn't find any legal information BTW...
No paid apps can be downloaded on these websites so my only suspicion is that they could add malwares into some (famous) apps. Of course, original apps can also have malwares on Google Play.
For the record, I uploaded the few apks I downloaded to VirusToral and nothing has been detected.
Last but not least, Apkpure provides a dedicated app to install and update apps, which is great even if they suggest me new versions that aren't officially available yet. (probably related to a region restriction or a delay from Google to push the app update for all countries).
What do you think about these websites? Do you know a safer way?

I don't have google apps also, using apk pure for now, everything is well.

BlankStore should work for most free apps.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375

Wakamatsu said:
BlankStore should work for most free apps.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know but it uses Gmail IDs (with a connection to Google servers). Last but not least, the project is discontinued for several months.
I was going to give a try to Blankstore this weekend and it doesn't seem to be a reliable alternative in the medium term.

Primokorn said:
Yes, I know but it uses Gmail IDs (with a connection to Google servers). Last but not least, the project is discontinued for several months.
I was going to give a try to Blankstore this weekend and it doesn't seem to be a reliable alternative in the medium term.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Primokorn ,
what about its alternative.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3217616
would really be interested in your opinion (if you look into it and dont mind ).
"err on the side of kindness"

Primokorn said:
Yes, I know but it uses Gmail IDs (with a connection to Google servers).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I created a throwaway gmail account for this but I get your point.
Primokorn said:
Last but not least, the project is discontinued for several months.
I was going to give a try to Blankstore this weekend and it doesn't seem to be a reliable alternative in the medium term.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's discontinued in the sense that he will not move further with that particular project in favour of another but he will still make fixes when a Google update breaks BlankStore function. It's been "discontinued" since version 0.7.1.

I have a old device just for this purpose.
It has no info on it
Everything possible has been removed that's not needed
(Like calender and contacts etc)
All it does is connect to Wi-Fi to get apps from Google play
Even paid apps.
And I harp non stop to developers and leave feedback on apps that don't support offline use.
(Is in app purchases, online verification, etc things that can be stored on device over getting from internet every time)
I don't see the point of getting apps elsewhere when they will do the same thing to you as Google..But with less oversight.
Virus checkers are pointless when apps are Trojans..
Or have them built in.
I consider any software that mines any thing from your device, without declaring exactly what it is doing every time, nothing other than a Trojan.
Google and it's partners will always push for a proprietary distribution system claiming it will keep you secure
When I'm truth what it does is you your money going to them
When I've had to I've gotten my apks from some very unusual places.
But then you can get some very bad software from very official places.

mrrocketdog said:
@Primokorn ,
what about its alternative.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3217616
would really be interested in your opinion (if you look into it and dont mind ).
"err on the side of kindness"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use microG framework for several weeks now
Wakamatsu said:
It's discontinued in the sense that he will not move further with that particular project in favour of another but he will still make fixes when a Google update breaks BlankStore function. It's been "discontinued" since version 0.7.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know that. Thanks for the heads-up! I wanted to give a try this weekend but I had serious with my laptop I keep that in mind for the next time.
nutpants said:
I have a old device just for this purpose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What an expensive alternative! I'm used to sell my current device to buy a new one and that's not handy IMHO.
nutpants said:
And I harp non stop to developers and leave feedback on apps that don't support offline use.
(Is in app purchases, online verification, etc things that can be stored on device over getting from internet every time)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Solutions exist for devs to not use Google Play online verification but they want to use it to punish users who download warez. Even if I can understand this point of view, we wouldn't have warez with FLOSS softwares.
nutpants said:
Google and it's partners will always push for a proprietary distribution system claiming it will keep you secure
When I'm truth what it does is you your money going to them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done some fruitful research to prepare an article about GAFAM and other big companies. In addition, Google doesn't protect our freedom of speech (I noticed this many times with 'ordinary people').
Now that I clearly know what they did/do/will do, how could I still use their services?!? My next Android work will be published under GPL v3, I already stopped any operations on Google Play and I try to push devs to offer free/libre softwares. Marcel (M66B on XDA) is the perfect example of an awesome developer :good:

Primokorn said:
I use microG framework for several weeks now
What an expensive alternative! I'm used to sell my current device to buy a new one and that's not handy IMHO.
Solutions exist for devs to not use Google Play online verification but they want to use it to punish users who download warez. Even if I can understand this point of view, we wouldn't have warez with FLOSS softwares.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rarely sell my devices, (i have 6 of 9 that I play with somewhat regularly sadly)honestly i keep the last one as a back up in case the new one has issues or a failure. And when I do think of it, it not worth the money to make it worth the time..
I still have my Windows mobile 2003 Siemens sx66
(Not that is have been turned on in years)
But really it's an investment in my security.
(And I no longer get the hottest newest devices asap anymore, that's a zero sum game that has few benefits beyond bragging rights)
My tablet dual boots between Google play only rom and everything else internet rom also.
I have yet to hear of a protection scheme that had not been broken in hours. I think bluray was the last major public disaster. If the time spent on protection was spent on quality assurance I think it would be a different landscape in the digital world.
Even with floss you have warez.. just in different forms. Mods,hacks, cracks, custom roms It all just words that describe one developer modifying others work without permission for features that are not present, either added or removed.
It's point of view.like anything.
Myself, I stand back and promote security,offline abilities and operation and open source.
It's where my money goes, my time and my vote. Every chance I get.

XDA: Focus on making independence accessible to android users!
@Primokorn: Thanks a zillion for starting this crucial discussion. I don't know how often i pointed out these issues.
Of course, i also have some aesthetic preferences. But diving through endless reefs of startup animation replacements, battery monitor alternatives and half-baked theme studies is not what i expected xda-developers.com to end up, 12 years after i started being around.
In my eyes, the whole aftermarket ado should be concentrated on maintaining the independency of the most popular mobile operating system of the universe by it's users. Crucial topics be
Liberating the app distribution architecture
Optimizing the permission restriction system
There are great approaches like the Aroma Installer, that have been employed to supply user friendly means for debloating and debranding. Have a look at the Screenshots of stockymod.
@nutpants:
And I harp non stop to developers and leave feedback on apps that don't support offline use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do the same thing to official institutions when they release apps. If i wasn't in that hyper-busy age around 40, i'd start a little riot about publicly funded software that ends up being published behind the wellknown golden cages exclusively. The necessity to change this in a grassroot movement is obvious.

Apkmirror.com

Did not know these existed, going to check this out!