Database Info

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.

I want to team up to develop android apps !! Anyone interested Can JOIN

Im new to application development (for android), (im a noob.. fr now ;-) ) So i thought it would be good if i team up with a experienced group or developers. Im ready to work for you(whoever is willing to recruit me first)
Wht i know
-photoshop
-flash
-dreamweaver
-maya
-c/c++ (theoritically strong)
- little java
Thanks

jenod said:
Im new to application development (for android), (im a noob.. fr now ;-) ) So i thought it would be good if i team up with a experienced group or developers. Im ready to work for you(whoever is willing to recruit me first)
Wht i know
-photoshop
-flash
-dreamweaver
-maya
-c/c++ (theoritically strong)
- little java
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same situation
- C/C++
- SQL
- Java

Would be helpful if you also included the types of programs you were interested in working on.

Good idea
Its a good idea if we all freshers hook up together. wht you say? and after that we will get some experienced developer to lead us

RoboPhred said:
Would be helpful if you also included the types of programs you were interested in working on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For android always java is best(according to the arcticles i read) so obviously JAVA

I know an app I would pay for is one that could control the video functions of a PS3 with my phone. I would think it is possible since the the PS3 remote uses bluetooth, but I'm not a developer so it might not be possible.

I don't know if you've done this already but google provides all the sdk material on their android developers site. They also give instructions on how to get started using the sdk. Pretty much everything seems to be built on java. Have fun!
Google provides almost all the tutorials and instructions you could ever need to begin developing.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

yea you should start at http://developer.android.com/index.html if you know java you should be good to go after reading and doing the tutorials

Thanks
I already read those things. Anyway thanks for your support and encouragment. and im now done with
->installed eclipse
->installed android sdk
->connected both eclipse and android sdk
-> now reading a book on how to develop android apps(in chapter 3 now)
All i need
-> some good friends(those who like to develop android apps,its okay if you are noobs)
->One experienced developer to guide me [this is optional ;-)]

jenod said:
Im new to application development (for android), (im a noob.. fr now ;-) ) So i thought it would be good if i team up with a experienced group or developers. Im ready to work for you(whoever is willing to recruit me first)
Wht i know
-photoshop
-flash
-dreamweaver
-maya
-c/c++ (theoritically strong)
- little java
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HAHA...pretty much me too. Been debating about getting started for just over a year now. (Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Flash, Actionscript3, HTML, javascript, ~coldfusion, ~php, learning C#, can read VB, etc.)
Coming at this from a designing for training view. Been 15 yrs in technical training and looking to learn more. I got a few project ideas already and two things I really want...(which is what I am using for motivation)
As for the google tutorials...hello worlds really don't get you very far and I have looked out on web for other tuts. They all seem to have issues though...
Would appreciate feedback on the following....
-- This site/tut seems to 'assume' a whole lot and the program doesn't even work:
=== http://androidcore.com/android-programming-tutorials/182-fancy-listviews-part-one.html
(this one seems to not be showing any errors in SDK [it was first time, but not after restart] but it force closes in my emulator every time)
--This site/tut looked a bit more promising but is also has stuff that doesn't seem to work:
=== http://androidwizard.net/2010/05/create-a-context-menu-on-top-of-a-listview/
(no such thing as a OnPopulateContextMenuListener according to SDK and google site, switch(aItem.getId()) is not a supported method according to SDK, .getItem(menuInfo.position) cannot be resolved...all things a newb is at a loss to fix)
So...I am actually looking either for better tuts that get more in depth than hello world or someone from those sites that I can correspond with (as a trainer my OCD is really bothered by missing info in what look like the right kind of tut.)
Anyway...jenod...if you get some newbs together to work on stuff...I'd be interested.

Thanks for your feedback.. wil surely PM u if i get some(i mean developers)..

(why) does Android
Know what would be totally awesome? If someone like (why the lucky stiff) wrote something poigniant, beautiful and easy-to-follow to lead someone into Android app development! Something that reads almost like his Poigniant Guide to Ruby or like Chris Pine's Learn to Program.

Ya I have just started in android development. I have had many years of experience in all sorts of languages java, perl, python, c++, c#, and c. I also have a start on one project that would be great to have a group of people to work together with. I am very interested with this. Hope this works out, shoot me a PM if you want.

Hey guys!
awesome idea, i study informatics in second year now and iam just done with my JAVA lessons. Maybe i could help u, cuz i want to learn programming apps for andoid in my holiday too.
I also have an Idea for an app.
So PM me if u still need some help.
mfg X

Please PM if you would like to make a team, I too am interested and have multiple ideas for apps that can be made and released quickly

Thanks
I have to really thank you ppl for your piceless support.
Interested ppl you can PM me your Personal info(ur name,age,interests and wht u know).
Thanks

jenod said:
I have to really thank you ppl for your piceless support.
Interested ppl you can PM me your Personal info(ur name,age,interests and wht u know).
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PM'd, any suggestions for apps to make as our starting point?

Hey idk if you all have seen this yet, but it is worth checking out. Google has a free software developing tool in beta at the site http:// appinventor .googlelabs .com
The beta requires an invite much like google voice but it looks to have some potential.
(type the url into the internet, I had to add spaces because I cannot post urls yet)
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Shadomastr said:
Hey idk if you all have seen this yet, but it is worth checking out. Google has a free software developing tool in beta at the site http:// appinventor .googlelabs .com
The beta requires an invite much like google voice but it looks to have some potential.
(type the url into the internet, I had to add spaces because I cannot post urls yet)
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will not be as powerful as straight coding. It is meant to allow people to make little apps for themselves. One review I read even indicated that inventor apps will not be allowed in market.
(This is all early speculation, but hey it is what I read today as I went ahead and submitted my info for an invite...LOL)
Coming from Macromedia/Adobe...this would be kind of like Captivate is to Flash is to Actionscript. This would be Captivate...simple but simple.

Hey this sounds like a great idea, hope everything works out. We need take over apples app market!
JBlaze -- Evo 4G

[Q] How to make an Android app?

Hello people
I've wanted to make a Android app for a while now but I don't know where to start.
Can someone give me some pointers on where to start.
If it involves coding then be warmed I'm a complete novice at that.

No coding method: search Google for Android app inventor.
Coding and better method: Android apps use JAVA. Take some basic online courses, then learn the Android sdk. (functions that are specific to android)
Option b is better, and if you have a little patience it won't be too hard.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

alex ainsley said:
Hello people
I've wanted to make a Android app for a while now but I don't know where to start.
Can someone give me some pointers on where to start.
If it involves coding then be warmed I'm a complete novice at that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to get somewhere forget the app inventor and invest some time.
Start by using google on terms like "android tutorial" "android hello world".
Download eclipse and the android sdk (google has all the info and tutorial on how to do that).
The sdk has ALOT of very good example apps. From 3D drawing to system infos and interface layouts.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Google app inventor is doing my head in.
if anyone is reading this on a scale from 1 to 10 how hard/complicated is making a app using coding?

Depends entirely on what you want the app to do unfortunately. If you can give some basic ideas of what you want it to do it will be easier to say how hard it will be.

well all id like my first app to do is when it starts up to show a picture with text then link you to a web page.
Nothing hard

Thats not too difficult, you could patch work something out of existing tutorials/example.
But its always relative saying how difficult something is.
It depends on the person...

Well sorry that's not helping much. I'm still at a loss on what to do.

Basically all you need to do is copy and paste the code from some tutorial examples, or you could even use the app inventor as you need barely any code to do this, for example:
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/graphics/index.html
http://developer.android.com/guide/webapps/webview.html
Putting it all together and making it into an application shouldn't take you more than half an hour once you have gone through the starter tutorials to understand how and what it is you are using.

Ok I'll try that.

Click Here is the link for a LIVE remote workshop / presentation
-Cheers

omg
i really wanna learn, so i went to purchase course and
DescriptionsAmount
Diploma in Java Programming.Diploma in Java Programming.
$1,695.00Item price: $1,695.00
$1,695
are you serious??

Well if you are really determined to learn it, you can manage doing it on your own too, with the help of free online resources. Search for a tutorial series on youtube. Here's one I had found useful when I was learning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl-zzrqQoSE
You should also buy a good book on Java programming and read it. That would help a lot too.

read android developers guide

You can check android developers official site it has lot of tutorials and resources.

You can go to next university library and borrow any Android book. It will not include the latest version of OS, but it will have lot of fundamental information in one place, written by one person. Tutorails often show you how to solve single problem only.

Thank you
Also great video

You're Welcome! Yes it is a great video. That guy really does explain it nicely.

Is App Inventor still working?

Look also at cornboyz tutorial on youtube. Same guy, slightly different tuts

Strongly need your advice

Hello everybody,
I am new to Android and web development in general. Recently Igot into a situation that is hard to figure out. I hope your professional advice can help me to solve the problem. A couple of months ago I realized that software dvelopment is a great way to earn money online. Making applications seemed to me the best way to have passive income streams bringing me cash from ads right into the pocket. I tried to code but it turned out to be so completely foreign to my mind and my nature, that I simply could not proceed.
Then, I decided to look for a company that actually develops software and knows how to do it. I found one company that looked legit and so we started working together. They created an app, implemented the ads and I uploaded it on the Android Market. It got really popular and I was so glad!
However, in a couple of months I noticed there was a new app that was EXACTLY like mine and it literally was stealling potential users that would choose MY app. I tried to contact the person but he said he had created the application before me. WTF! I saw he uploaded it AFTER I did.
What should I do? I see his app is increasing in downloads while mine is decreasing.

Report!! Perhaps???
Sent from my WT19i using xda premium
If I Have Helped You Can You Press
.
.
THANKS BUTTON
.
.
To support Me.

Welcome to the world of application development. Unless he literally stole your code, there really isn't much you can do about it. All you can do is to update your app to make it more appealing than his application. Have you also stopped to think that you two might be working with the same company? Double-dipping much?

prantoroy said:
Report!! Perhaps???
Sent from my WT19i using xda premium
If I Have Helped You Can You Press
.
.
THANKS BUTTON
.
.
To support Me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I pressed the Thank you button. I was thinking about it too but the thing is, how are they going to figure things out?

syung said:
Welcome to the world of application development. Unless he literally stole your code, there really isn't much you can do about it. All you can do is to update your app to make it more appealing than his application. Have you also stopped to think that you two might be working with the same company? Double-dipping much?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply. Not many replied in my thread so I paticulary appreciate al the feedback I get
Is there a way to write an identical app ising a different code? I don't know about it.
Or, another qustion. Suppose he downloaded my app. How can he actually edit it? Does he use some sort of software? I was told, the apk file is like an archive that one can unzip and zip back again. But how would he do it, I wonder?
May be you are right and we are working with the same company although it's hard to imagine. There are thousands of companies in the world adn how in the world would we "meet" at one company? Here is thier website, by the way, may be it will help you to answer my questions --> a1qa website
May be you know better, I am a noob at software development, and I realize it.

Klaipedos said:
Thank you for your reply. Not many replied in my thread so I paticulary appreciate al the feedback I get
Is there a way to write an identical app ising a different code? I don't know about it.
Or, another qustion. Suppose he downloaded my app. How can he actually edit it? Does he use some sort of software? I was told, the apk file is like an archive that one can unzip and zip back again. But how would he do it, I wonder?
May be you are right and we are working with the same company although it's hard to imagine. There are thousands of companies in the world adn how in the world would we "meet" at one company? Here is thier website, by the way, may be it will help you to answer my questions --> a1qa website
May be you know better, I am a noob at software development, and I realize it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can easily unzip an apk file by using any Archive manager like WInZip, WinRAR , or 7-zip ... But can't actually make great changes like that ... But there is something called as Decompiling an apk, .. which will actually compiled the compiled java classes.dex file into .smali files... Now .. you can easily do some basic or sometimes even advanced changes to the app ... like for example .. you can change the app name by simply editing the string.xml in the res folder... then again recompile it into an apk and redistribute under a different name .. it's quite possible ... If you want to reduce the risk of such problems ... i'd recommend you have a look at ProGuard.
The ProGuard tool shrinks, optimizes, and obfuscates your code by removing unused code and renaming classes, fields, and methods with semantically obscure names. The result is a smaller sized .apk file that is more difficult to reverse engineer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

It is possible that someone can decompile your apk and read your source code if they had enough time and resources. If you are worried about such things you might have to begin using other techniques such as code obfuscation or encrypted compilers to protect your source code. And yes, it is possible to have two program do the same thing but have different source code to do it. Although there might be some parts that are the same, how you write you code will be different than how they write it.

You should be aware that making a lawsuit will cost you more money than you earned and if somebody makes something that does the same thing as you ddid, that still does not mean that they have stolen something from you. Jeez, how can somebody who hosts apps not know this, are you teenager or something?
Yes, in programming, it is possible to write programs in 50 different ways and do the same thing.
You cannot copyright ideas, only source code and functions...unless you are apple of course. They can copyright rectangular shapes.
What you should do? Get his app, and compare it to yours. I dont know if you can access source code in android apps because I dont develop aps yet, but if you can, you should compare his fuctions with yours. If the code is 80% simmilar, it is stolen.

Good free website builder?

Wasnt quite sure were to ask, so i just posted here.
Hoping someone can help.
Anyone know of a website that will allow me to create my own website with simple building tools, i.e. does not require me to know code or html. And is free or cheap? Thank you for any help.

Andromendous said:
Wasnt quite sure were to ask, so i just posted here.
Hoping someone can help.
Anyone know of a website that will allow me to create my own website with simple building tools, i.e. does not require me to know code or html. And is free or cheap? Thank you for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try Skylium (completely free). I have my web there and I didn't have problems in one year. Without banners and ads. With a lot of utilities: joomla, php, mysql...
Saludos
M110A2

Thanks for the quick response however, it seems to be all in Spanish...

Yes it's in Spanish, but it has a lot of services.
During a lot of years I had the web in 000Webhost (English), but it gave me some problems. You can test it.
I had another web in Aruba.it (not free, but cheap, and several languages). But I don't remember if it had building tools.
Saludos
M110A2

Probably the best site I've used is wix. It's super easy and looks awesome and everything is easy enough to edit with a little bit of practice.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, ill give em a shot

Wix is nice, but lots of ad and very proprietary (can not extract your data and move it somewhere) and you must pay to have your own domain name etc
In the same spirit you have jimdo and weebly which are less markettingly aggressive
jimdo.com
weebly.com
And Silex, which is free, open source, no hidden costs, but with far less templates (you are supposed to start your site from a blank page)
silex.me

Wix is my fave!

Thought I'll update this website for the times. My favorite website builder is hPage ( https://www.hpage.com ). I have created two websites there already and it's really good. I love all the features and it's very affordable too compared to other website builders.

Andromendous said:
Wasnt quite sure were to ask, so i just posted here.
Hoping someone can help.
Anyone know of a website that will allow me to create my own website with simple building tools, i.e. does not require me to know code or html. And is free or cheap? Thank you for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to use Wix, I've heard a lot of good things about it.

Wix is my fave

Andromendous said:
Wasnt quite sure were to ask, so i just posted here.
Hoping someone can help.
Anyone know of a website that will allow me to create my own website with simple building tools, i.e. does not require me to know code or html. And is free or cheap? Thank you for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, I suggest trying sites.google.com. I know that this is a google, and maybe you don't want to share data with them.
I use it for ~4 sites and I don't know much code (except some HTML things), and it didn't ask to know it. Yeah, you can add HTML blocks yourself. But all can be done through interface.
I will not publish any links to the examples, because you can find through your favourite search engine yourself.
Google gives a "domain" like "sites.google.com /view/{name which can be configured before and after publishing}"
If you don't want that, try services for DDNS like noip .com or just shorten a link to the page you want (for example, bit .ly does that).
I also use Jimdo and it only annoys in some places where google's service is better (like >100 fonts (Jimdo offers only one, similar to Times)).
Give them a try.
HTH,
Anonymous