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?
Click to expand...
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.
Hello guys
I'm fairly new to WP7 and recently bought an Omnia 7.
One thing pisses me off though - not being able to buy apps outside a supported country or credit card.
My suggestion is therefore, wouldnt it be possible to develop something like cydia app store for (pardon) iPhone?
Im currently on my phone and waiting for a flight at the airport, so havnt searched around too much, so incase i've failed to spot a similar thread please direct me to it instead of giving me a "use search you mofo"
Thanks in advance guys. =)
WP7 is fairly new, new countries will be supported as it grows larger.
As for a Cydia like application, I'm sure it will come along some time, but I don't think there is one right now.
I am currently working on a desktop application to bring a Cydia-like market to WP7. My main aims are:
- Provide homebrew developers with a place to host their applications/profit from them
- Provide a simple all-in-one dekstop solution for users to download, update and install apps to their phone
- "Trial Mode" will not exist, rather developers can post two versions of the same application with different functionality
- Market will be free from Marketplace restrictions. This includes UI/Metro restrictions. It's up to the user to decide whether they want to use a non-metro application.
My main issue at the moment is just getting the infrastructure in place and making sure everything is secure. I've only really got the barebones together, so it will take some time to get the project finished off.
Anybody who has any suggestions, feel free to post them here or PM me them
Cheers Blade0rz
Im happy to this is already in development.
I will let you know if any ideas happen to pop up. Will be following your progression
I wasn't sure where anything like this would go, so I made sure to put it in a forum as general as possible.
I'm a beginning web designer, but seeing as I spend most of my free time on this site, I'm growing more of an interest in learning to code for the mobile platform. If anybody is willing to help, all I'm asking for is a few tips from developers here on where to begin.
I learned some very basic java in college, but was wondering if there is a better path to go on. Do I start with BASIC? Do I continue and go towards more advanced Java and stick with only one programming language?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
-Considering I've done almost everything that I can with my rooted EVO, all of you were the people I'd rather hear from. I appreciate all of the hard work that you all have done!
You can develop full market apps using the language I use called basic4android.
Its easy to use but very powerful, produces a native android apk (so no interpreters) and has regular updates.
There are free user contributed libraries that make it even better and it has been used to produce everything from live wallpapers and anti theft apps to games and gps software so is a good option to consider.
I wrote my first app after messing about with it for about an hour and was amazed how easy it makes things. Google basic4android and you will find its homepage for more info. I can't remember the address as it's saved as a bookmark on my pc not phone.
EDIT: did a google search and its at http://www.basic4ppc.com/
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
I've been waiting for an idea and I think I finally have one. I am going to attempt to make a Android App using Web Scraping that will allow me to navigate and use the forums on Roblox (.com if you really want to look it up) better than I can now. Not only are the forums pretty bad in general but they are even worse on my Android Device (Samsung Galaxy Player). Can anyone give me an pointers or advice? I'm not sure what libraries I should use... This is my first big attempt at coding
Oh, Obviously I would want to give it a feature to reply to posts but I'm not sure how login for that type of thing would work...
Hello Nick64. If I were you, I will focus on builidng an app for getting the Roblox Hair Codes and Roblox Outfits IDs automatically. I think that this can be easily done using some program languages. I am saying this since most of the Roblox forums are not working anymore while on the other side, the players are still searching for these kind of codes. Just saying.
Edit: I just saw that you have posted this a long time ago. Anyway, someone might get an idea from my reply.