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Hello everyone. I've a sort of proposal for the developers here, but before I get into that let me first briefly introduce myself:
I'm a communication designer for print, user interface, and illustration that completely advocates everything Android. I've been lurking the Dream development forums here for quite some time, trying to keep up-to-date with the latest ROMs, apps, etc., etc and I fully appreciate everything that goes on here and the endeavors that you devs put yourself through. Amazing stuff, really.
One thing I've noticed is that there are a slew of third-party / beta apps all over these boards, and other places on the internet as well. More often than not, I find myself scouring the cloud just to find a link for these non-market apps, and I usually get referred to them via some obscure site through another site. Despite getting the .apk file or ROM in the end, the process can get to be a bit tedious; especially for incoming users and those new to the Android platform.
My proposal is this: A website with a simple and clean user interface that has direct and succinct navigation with the purpose of consolidating and listing third-party / beta non-market applications into an easy access database. This website database would link these applications and have them be easily downloaded and installed via the Android browser, without having to mount the device.
I've actually come up with a fully-functional concept site, did the branding and everything for it, and also registered a short domain name for quick access while on your G1 or whatever Android device.
Navigate to: http://anda.pk to see what I had in mind, and how the overall layout/concept of the site would work.
I uploaded several .apk files I had backed up as examples for you to see how the database section would function. I also took into account the resolution of most Android phones and made the .apk application database section fit perfectly in the Android browser when in portrait mode right when you the load the site to ensure the best possible user experience when installing these third party apps. When you scroll to the right, you'll see info on what the site is about, and in the footer there are links to the FAQ, the about section, contact, etc.
I had also noted in the about link in the footer that the applications hosted on the download section are in no way accredited to the site, and that credit goes to their rightful developers. My being a communication designer has had the idea of peer collaboration engrained, and as such I give credit it where credit is due.
That said, I hope you guys here and the developers collaborate with me on on this site, possibly help contribute apks, and agree to them being hosted. If anything, I do hope you just embrace the concept, which originally was just going to be a reference for myself and my friends whom I've turned away from the iPhone, S60, and WinMo in favor of Android. I figured since I know the Android community is only going to get bigger, this website concept of mine could be a decent resource to have bookmarked.
Appreciate you reading this wall of text! Do hope to hear some feedback, so let me know what you guys think. Thanks!
Cheers.
I think this is a fabulous idea...automated version control would go over very well -- i.e. yum update
you should post up bits that you need help with and have folks contact you.
also..I love the logo!
question: do you propose a rating system or a review prior to listing type of approach or something new to keep this resource trustworthy?
Been following this on SA and twitter and it's a great idea.
Having the devs here on board would be a fantastic way to get something solid on the go. It's the kind of thing that can really help android become more hackable and useable for the average user...and it just make things easier for the rest of us.
Sounds good to me.
thelilliandivide said:
the applications hosted on the download section are in no way accredited to the site
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Credit and accreditation are different things. To be accredited is to be given credentials or official approval. I think you meant "credited".
Sounds like a GREAT idea.
My opinion: The color scheme hurts. Love the logo.
i like the logo and the idea. I think the site should be more mobile friendly, or even better, an application for android that can work like the official market. I could help with that part if an application is going to be built.
camalot said:
i like the logo and the idea. I think the site should be more mobile friendly, or even better, an application for android that can work like the official market. I could help with that part if an application is going to be built.
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i second that.. it should also have update checks if possible
I was going to complain that I didn't like your site layout, but in portrait mode you only see the left side which lists the apps. I like it.
One thing you might have to be leary of is dealing with apps that are considered warez unless your going to spend the time to verify every app that is uploaded or there has to a method in place.
As well there should be some kind of version control in place. You know what works on 1.1 and what works on 1.5. Obviously almost everybody within the next few weeks/months should be on 1.5, but will all the older apps run on 1.5 or does it really matter or does anybody care? The downloader will care.
CBowley said:
Sounds like a GREAT idea.
My opinion: The color scheme hurts. Love the logo.
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Seconded. The text is much too light. A darker charcoal shade would be much better.
If the site gets an apk wrapper (a la FBook) version checking would be rather easy. Set up the directory tree something like this /downloads/WiFiTether/1.2.3.apk and just have the apk compare filenames. If the file names don't match, it needs to install the update.
EDIT: Now following your progress on twitter.
Some solid input. I'll play around with the color scheme and make some changes later this evening once I get back from class. And I actually do plan on making a mobile wrapper eventually, but as it stands as far as the concept layout goes, the site is best used when in portrait mode for easiest functionality. The rest of the site is to be considered supplemental. I do however, have a lot of things I eventually want to integrate; application tags, search, possibility of user uploaded apk files, etc. But for right now, I'm trying to keep the general site as simple as possible to make the workload on my end less stressful (graduating in 2 weeks).
bahnburner said:
If the site gets an apk wrapper (a la FBook) version checking would be rather easy. Set up the directory tree something like this /downloads/WiFiTether/1.2.3.apk and just have the apk compare filenames. If the file names don't match, it needs to install the update.
EDIT: Now following your progress on twitter.
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Did not know how that version checker worked. Thanks. I'll re-work the apk directory scheme akin to that later tonight for when I do eventually get the wrapper up.
thelilliandivide said:
Did not know how that version checker worked. Thanks. I'll re-work the apk directory scheme akin to that later tonight for when I do eventually get the wrapper up.
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That's not necessarily how most version checks work, but that's the simplest method I could think of, and probably one of the easiest to implement.
alapapa said:
I think this is a fabulous idea...automated version control would go over very well -- i.e. yum update
you should post up bits that you need help with and have folks contact you.
also..I love the logo!
question: do you propose a rating system or a review prior to listing type of approach or something new to keep this resource trustworthy?
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Click to collapse
Thanks! And I feel I might need some help in the future as far as implementing the features that I want to get working. But I'm not quite sure I understand your question. Are you referring to how I choose which applications get posted onto the site?
i'm a graphic designer and web designer, i'll throw in a helping hand if you want, pm me or whatever.
(think about an android based layout to bring it to the phone like Cough*cydia*cough
very cool and much needed
Xda-dev is great, but there is alot of stuff thats not on the market and they have shown to bow down to the tmobs pressure(ie: tether app) so another place to get apps would be great, and your weppage is beautiful and looks like it would be very finger friendly on the g1, but there is a basic model in linux of repositories(which is about what ur doing) and a simple app to d/l them maybe somebody could just make a market.apk with a modded addy, depending on how much is known about the market and its inner workings... it would be nice to do it as it has been always done....but as I stated above your webdesign is very nice and would work well in the native browser(im heading there now on my g1)
bhang
not a bad idea. I think this is great for all verified apps that are pulled from market...
I really like this idea. Go for it.
Just one (stupid) remark about the logo... it's like it has a big nose and a :-| expression... sorry
apetit said:
I really like this idea. Go for it.
Just one (stupid) remark about the logo... it's like it has a big nose and a :-| expression... sorry
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Haha, I just noticed that actually. Now it's all I see. But yeah, I'm hoping to have a few more apps to upload by the end of next week. Revisions to the site are imminent once I get out of this last class.
I love the idea. One bookmark to check up on all the good non-market apps will be much easier than having several bookmarked threads.
Some applications may benefit from having tags such as [beta], [stable], [experimental], [contains-ads], etc.
As others have mentioned once/if user uploads are implemented an app approval system will be crucial to keep the spam at bay. I can see this really taking off.
im a supporter
zgmf-x322a said:
im a supporter
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+1 this sounds like a great idea, there was something like this for apps for the dash,mda & sda.
Does anyone in here have experience designing Android Apps?
I am very good with computers, very, very little programming experience, but I have an idea for an app that I would really like to create.
So how hard is the first app? I'm going to download the SDK today when i get home and do some reading and see what I can figure out..
I wish I could get someone I knew and trusted to help me out, but I'd be scared they'd try to steal my idea and cut me out of the loop...
If you have little coding knowledge then how do you expect to be able to code an application.
Agreed, if you have no programming experience then you've got no hope. Although Android apps are coded in Java (therefore a nice OO language which is fairly easy to learn) you still need experience imo.
Anyone can learn to program but it takes time and effort. Leave Android for the moment and learn Java first. A starting point would be here http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/getStarted/index.html
Once you're comfortable with Java, then move onto Android.
I also recommend you to read up on java, here's a good tutorial.
http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/java/java.html
They use NetBeans instead of the famous and google supported Eclipse.
But you must first understand Java and programming in general.
im also interested in making an app, and have experience with java. is java the only language that you can use for android? how about jython, since my python is better than my java, it would be best to use that...
i guess i'll start by dl'ing the sdk lol
I think as long as you have an interest in it, and have some aptitude for coding, then you can learn basic programming for android pretty quickly.
I only had really basic programming knowledge, and I managed to get an Android app out - admittedly it's simple (calculation type app), but it's a starting point.
I would recommend having a look around the internet like code.google.com to check out some source code for programs similar to what you would like to write. Also the developers site http://developer.android.com/index.html has some good examples and guides - definitely worth reading.
I've been using appinventor.. I wish making a real app was this easy.. Of course it's just basic things that really nobody would buy, but it's neat to create apps without experience.
Has anyone thought of making an XDA Market App that the ROM developers could put their ROMS in, ROM Updates in, Custom Applications, Themes, etc? I would think it could be hugely popular, and a good way to distribute ROMs/Apps which are specific to our forums.
Broken into categories, searchable, very similar to how Verizon Market works (by piggy backing on the Market app) or even as a completely separate app? Would 'bake' into ROMs nicely.
Would be a nice way for devs to get feedback on their apps, and could even integrate bug reports (complete with simple logcat dumps!)
Just a thought. I have zero Java experience so I can't do it myself.
I've always wanted the same thing. It's overdue if you ask me.
+10
Would be an awesome app.
It could in theory be setup with aptoide if it allows you to control what it looks for and downloads (meaning something other than .apks). I'm not sure if it does though.
Edit: Well it's open source, both the app and the server. So in theory it could be made to do anything. ha.
This topic would probably be better suited for the Android Software Development threads. I know a lot more Android users besides us HTC Hero users could benefit from this. Definitely a great idea though.
flipzmode said:
It could in theory be setup with aptoide if it allows you to control what it looks for and downloads (meaning something other than .apks). I'm not sure if it does though.
Edit: Well it's open source, both the app and the server. So in theory it could be made to do anything. ha.
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Looks like it could be a good starting point. Would have a lot of the 'framework' already setup and could therefore be modified to fit specific needs of the ROM devs. (logcat dump, bug reports, etc)
This wouldn't even make sense to restrict to CDMA Hero either; GSM would be right at home as well, especially for non-ROM devs who are making apps/widgets/themes/etc.
Hi all,
I searched here on Android forum but I did'nt find any reference to this very nice development tool:
http://www.basic4ppc.com/
does someone of you know it? what do you think about it?
I find it very interesting, special for people (like me) that has some programming skill but not a specific java knowledge... it costs a reasonable price (starting from 39$) and it seems really powerfull, with a very original integrated designer tool... I'm thinking to buy it... I would like to have your dev's impressions and evaluations...
[mod edit]
I am using it and I think it is an excellent development tool.
Takes a lot lesser time than Java and if you are familiar with VB or any other Basic, then you will be up to speed in no time.
Besides they have very good support.
Any more reviews? I'm very interested in this application.
love it
personally i love it. the fact that its fast (and uses basic ) . its just a great program. they also added error support for your internal coding mistakes....so they are really moving forward...if your a student you can get a %50 discount on the enterprise edition . ( i did )
i had the same issue
thank you guys for sharing
I am also interested
I am just learning to make apps, I literally have no experience yet. Would Basic4android be good for the type of app I'm trying to make?
I am needing to make a fairly simple, mostly text-based app, kind of like a user manual/instruction guide. Key features I am needing for this app would be:
*a "find" like CTRL+F to find words or phrases
*an index to jump to specific sections
*rip/copy protection so people can't steal the text and put it on a different device or computer
*smooth scrolling and fit-to-screen text
I know nothing about coding but I am very willing to learn! if this program makes it more simple, please let me know!
darkangel314 said:
I am just learning to make apps, I literally have no experience yet. Would Basic4android be good for the type of app I'm trying to make?
I am needing to make a fairly simple, mostly text-based app, kind of like a user manual/instruction guide. Key features I am needing for this app would be:
*a "find" like CTRL+F to find words or phrases
*an index to jump to specific sections
*rip/copy protection so people can't steal the text and put it on a different device or computer
*smooth scrolling and fit-to-screen text
I know nothing about coding but I am very willing to learn! if this program makes it more simple, please let me know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basic for android could and would work. It is based off of visual basic. Which is a windows based code format...
I would recommend learning JAVA. Basic for Android is mostly for people who already Know visual basic....such as myself...
Learn Java. There are MANY xda tutorials on it.
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 2
furius said:
Hi all,
I searched here on Android forum but I did'nt find any reference to this very nice development tool:
]
does someone of you know it? what do you think about it?
I find it very interesting, special for people (like me) that has some programming skill but not a specific java knowledge... it costs a reasonable price (starting from 39$) and it seems really powerfull, with a very original integrated designer tool... I'm thinking to buy it... I would like to have your dev's impressions and evaluations...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, B4A and B4i are both awesome, easy to learn and very powerful, best on the market, no exceptions.
Hello, xdaDevelopers (Is it like that? Or XDADevelopers, or XdaDevelopers, well, doesn't matter, you can leave your opinion about that here, too.)!
I can see this is kinda a common thing around here, but, I really need the basics for programming, with a final goal of being able to make code for Android (from APKs to ROMs and such).
I just need people to point out good sources of learning, with a learning curve, please, that would be a great bonus in understanding what the heck I'm learning, from the basic of basic, to the goal here intended.
Maybe this is a bit too ambitious, but I pretend to be a professional programmer in the future, but I still have a kinda long way to college (3 years), and I wish I could start sooner that, it could even make my college life even simpler.
Well, I hope you leave your enlightenment in this thread. Thank you very much for any opinion given here.
*bump* Sorry. It was already in the second page. I just didn't want it to fall into oblivion.
Well your going to have to stsrt learnibg java if you want to make apps. Read some books. Also take a look at thenewboston channel on youtube.
Im learning myself. You just need to start and don't give up
Sent from my Galaxy SII
I'm also posting (lazy way of subscribing to this post). I knew java, although it was long ago. I'd need a refresh on everything. And then, knowing java is not the only thing you need, as you also need to know how to develop for android itself. Up to date, which book would you guys consider the most easy to follow to learn easily to program?
Thank you!
Yes. I'm asking for links or books (preferably e-books) that could have all that information. I just hope I can become a great XDA developer.
Griffrez said:
I just need people to point out good sources of learning
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+1 to this. i would also like to get into learning how to develop for android.
google has a lot of info on their developers page, it's probably one of the better places to start.
i don't know many other good websites or books though. anyone have suggestions?
If you want to develop Application on Android. You will need...
1.JDK (Java Development Kit), which includes the JRE. ( I use Java SE 7 )
2.Eclipse with the Android Development ( I use Eclipse Classic 3.7.1 )
3.Android Development tools ADT Plugin for Eclipse
( I use android-sdk_r13-windows.zip )
more detail http://androidcontrol.blogspot.com/2011/10/android-development.html
java for the user interface "pretty" part of the apps, but the real heavy-lifting guts of the app (where the real magic happens) will normally be written in c
Tech_Boy said:
Well your going to have to stsrt learnibg java if you want to make apps. Read some books. Also take a look at thenewboston channel on youtube.
Im learning myself. You just need to start and don't give up
Sent from my Galaxy SII
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm watching these. These are great. Starting with Java Development.