Database Info

Over the Air install site

I've started a new site, http://www.otainstall.com, that is designed to let you quickly install apps from PocketIE on your phone. I originally posted it over at ppcgeeks and the users there seem to be pretty happy with it.
It's password protected for now, just to keep the volume limited a bit. You can log in with the password 'blahblah'.
It's pretty new, so please let me know any bugs that you find. Also note that you should be able to upload apps to the site so that others can download them.
I'll be taking suggestions on category name improvements, etc..
Let me know what you think!

Nice idea! One thing that might be useful is a "Back" button embedded in the page: Make it better for full screen browsing.

Double Awesome
Thanks a lot. What exactly can I upload?

kingdmc said:
Thanks a lot. What exactly can I upload?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are categories on the site, but generally anything is allowed as long as it's not copyrighted material. Ideally it should be a cab file or an executable that can be easily installed over the air.

Great idea for one stop shopping. Just an observation, how will you control duplicate entries or different release versions of same app? I can see it getting very ugly and unfriendly to the end-user very quickly. Just looking at programs and applications I already see two versions of spacer there and varying naming conventions and use of description. Haven't tried search yet, but maybe that helps sort that out...if you know exactly what you want (and the right keywords are called and published either in description or app file name).

tmknight said:
Great idea for one stop shopping. Just an observation, how will you control duplicate entries or different release versions of same app? I can see it getting very ugly and unfriendly to the end-user very quickly. Just looking at programs and applications I already see two versions of spacer there and varying naming conventions and use of description. Haven't tried search yet, but maybe that helps sort that out...if you know exactly what you want (and the right keywords are called and published either in description or app file name).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is definitely revision 1 of the site, so I'm taking all these suggestions and will be rewriting based off them. It's quite a bit more popular than I initially expected, so I'm pretty happy that everyone is enjoying it.

I was thinking of something like this, but more on an application repository type. Take the idea from linux / Ubuntu's application repositorys, where it can download, install, and keep up to date at all times as things are added and fixed.

If you could get this to work together with something like MoDaCo AppToDate it would be an awesome pair of apps...

looks promising, good luck with the site!

Non-market .apk file database proposal

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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 this sounds like a great idea, there was something like this for apps for the dash,mda & sda.

SUGGESTION: App store

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

Occupy Wall Street needs you help developing an app

Developers at XDA.
I’m sure many of you have heard of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Over the past week I’ve become involved and have determined that there is a need that could most efficiently be met through technology and since I know little of developing I’m looking for some assistance.
Here is the problem:
Protesters are not allowed to communicate with a PA system. This means that when we try to organize we need to scream everything out to each other and pass the message along. As you can image, in the game of telephone things get distorted and misunderstood. We need some way to relay messages to anyone who needs it quickly.
Solution:
I believe that an app would be the best way to facilitate this. While there could be updates online, that’s slow and requires people who want to post something online to go to the blog. It also means that we would have to constantly check. It also means that someone would have to type long messages in through a touch screen. Not efficient.
My Idea is for the app comes from seeing the app Coco voice for the iphone. It’s a service where you can speak into your phone and like a text message it sends that vocal message to said recipient. Now if you took that same kind of recording idea, and instead of sending it directly to a phone number, uploaded it to a main server and people subscribed to that specific “group” (or what have you) would receive a push notification about a new message. Then everyone would be able to get important information about what’s happening, what we’re doing. And especially where to avoid clashes with police. A text element for quick messages would also be great.
What’s in it for you:
1) You’d be helping a movement that hopefully you believe in.
2) The use of this application could go far beyond just this movement. It’s sort of vocal tweeting phone to phone. Subscribe to a group and be informed. People could record a cut of a song and send it directly or just say hello to all your loved ones at once while on vacation. This is a legitimate idea that has widespread application.
3) This will quickly become one of the more downloaded apps. There were 15-20,000 people at the NYC protest last night. The protests are also sprouting up in over 10 different cities across the US. Then there will be people that just want to know what happening. An immediate wide audience to launch the application and gain publicity.
4) You will get mad props
Is there anyone out there who is willing to put in some time in helping to develop an application to help facilitate communication among protesters? This would have to be a free app at least until the protests are over. Preferably it would be both iOs and android compatible. Please let me know so we can talk through some ideas, specifics, timelines, and what not.
Also let me know if you think this is possible or not. Or if you have any other good ideas. Let’s get this moving.
ps - let's try to keep this from getting political. We do not need to argue about the protest here. If you are interested great help out, if not then just move on to the next thread. Thanks in advance.

LoL. Really? What are you end goals? What do you want changed? Who makes the rules?

Russ T. Nail said:
ps - let's try to keep this from getting political. We do not need to argue about the protest here. If you are interested great help out, if not then just move on to the next thread. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jcbofkc said:
LoL. Really? What are you end goals? What do you want changed? Who makes the rules?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you miss that part?

Russ T. Nail said:
Developers at XDA.
I’m sure many of you have heard of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Over the past week I’ve become involved and have determined that there is a need that could most efficiently be met through technology and since I know little of developing I’m looking for some assistance.
Here is the problem:
Protesters are not allowed to communicate with a PA system. This means that when we try to organize we need to scream everything out to each other and pass the message along. As you can image, in the game of telephone things get distorted and misunderstood. We need some way to relay messages to anyone who needs it quickly.
Solution:
I believe that an app would be the best way to facilitate this. While there could be updates online, that’s slow and requires people who want to post something online to go to the blog. It also means that we would have to constantly check. It also means that someone would have to type long messages in through a touch screen. Not efficient.
My Idea is for the app comes from seeing the app Coco voice for the iphone. It’s a service where you can speak into your phone and like a text message it sends that vocal message to said recipient. Now if you took that same kind of recording idea, and instead of sending it directly to a phone number, uploaded it to a main server and people subscribed to that specific “group” (or what have you) would receive a push notification about a new message. Then everyone would be able to get important information about what’s happening, what we’re doing. And especially where to avoid clashes with police. A text element for quick messages would also be great.
What’s in it for you:
1) You’d be helping a movement that hopefully you believe in.
2) The use of this application could go far beyond just this movement. It’s sort of vocal tweeting phone to phone. Subscribe to a group and be informed. People could record a cut of a song and send it directly or just say hello to all your loved ones at once while on vacation. This is a legitimate idea that has widespread application.
3) This will quickly become one of the more downloaded apps. There were 15-20,000 people at the NYC protest last night. The protests are also sprouting up in over 10 different cities across the US. Then there will be people that just want to know what happening. An immediate wide audience to launch the application and gain publicity.
4) You will get mad props
Is there anyone out there who is willing to put in some time in helping to develop an application to help facilitate communication among protesters? This would have to be a free app at least until the protests are over. Preferably it would be both iOs and android compatible. Please let me know so we can talk through some ideas, specifics, timelines, and what not.
Also let me know if you think this is possible or not. Or if you have any other good ideas. Let’s get this moving.
ps - let's try to keep this from getting political. We do not need to argue about the protest here. If you are interested great help out, if not then just move on to the next thread. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about a tweeter like app? But instead of status updates in text they are mp3s or wav files
Sent from my Sensation 4g using XDA App

mohsinkhan47 said:
What about a tweeter like app? But instead of status updates in text they are mp3s or wav files
Sent from my Sensation 4g using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that would work as well. Definitely open to suggestions that might make this easier for developers. Ant interest?

jcbofkc said:
LoL. Really? What are you end goals? What do you want changed? Who makes the rules?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love to talk to you about this, but this is not the right place for that discussion. Pm me if you actually have interest, I have real answers. I just know this forum was not made for this purpose so I won't do it here.

It would be very honorable for some Devs to spend a little bit of time on this. I could see this app on headlines. Would be a good way for some Dev to get exposure too.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium

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

You guys are on fark....
www.fark.com/comments/6626162

[Q] any rec. for an android-app to learn piano?

Hi there,
I'm searching for an app to learn playing piano.
My idea of the functionality is as follows: I'd like to use my own, real-life piano with the app on the android-tablet providing the sheet of music. The student plays the music from the given sheet of music. The app analyzes the played notes with the integrated microphone in the tablet. Correct/Incorrect played parts will be marked respectively.
All the existing apps I found just work by simulating a real piano on the touchscreen of the tablet. I'd like to have to connection to the real thing, as described. Perhaps somebody can point me to a better implementation or at least I could inspire someone!
Kind Regards,
airflow

fp.ath.cx said:
Hi there,
I'm searching for an app to learn play piano
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever find something like what you were looking for? I'm looking for same.

kitfel said:
Did you ever find something like what you were looking for? I'm looking for same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm really sorry, but my investigations didn't turn out anything usable. I once downloaded and tried a lot of piano-learning apps, but not a single one with the needed functionality. But please keep in mind that it's already some time ago and the app-landscape can change quickly (as I learned in other similar cases)
Did you have any luck?
regards,
airflow