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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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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.
Hi all,
I have a concept for a single update application that would be driven from the AndroidSPIN release database so all developers could use it for ROM, Themes, Applications and anything releases to devices.
If you wouldn't mind taking a couple of minutes to read this post, I would greatly appreciate it.
http://www.androidspin.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=260&t=226
I'd really love to get a group together to collaborate and either help design this and/or write an application and back end to do it.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks
Simon
Sounds like an awesome idea, I'd love to help any way I can, but I dont fit in any of the needed positions for the post. Looking forward to see what develops though
Fantastic idea!
I only ever use XDA so god knows what I'm missing out on elsewhere and to be honest after searching the word android on google and trawling through one crap site after another becomes tiresome so hence the 'XDA only' policy.
Sorry I can't offer any programming skills but you have my support on this project whole heartedly, not that it counts for much I know buh MeH!
Hope you can get this off the ground.
As I mentioned to Simon already, I was thinking about building an update application for my ROM. I love the idea of having an on-phone ROM database, update capability, something that can easily be used by any developer in the community.
Some initial thoughts on functionality:
- Browse ROMs
- Download ROMs to SD Card
- Monitor specific ROMs for updates
- Monitor currently running ROM for updates
I'm willing to lend a hand on the Android side of things, but this will be a large undertaking and we will also need some people to contribute to the UI, server side of things, etc.
I do iPhone UI design for applications now (I don't have an iPhone, but most of my contracts and clients are iPhone based), but let me know and I can whip up anything you guys need UI related.
Send me a PM and I can get the ball rolling on how the functionality can be laid out as well.
Even tho I know I wouldnt be able to help out with this. I know I would love to test this out if you needed it.
Its a great idea!!!
I know a teeny bit of Java, and I'm working on becoming an Android developer, so if anything needs doing on the Android side of things, I'm willing to contribute.
Although I may not know as much as some others, I'm definitely a fast learner. I have a few books on Android development I'm reading through right now.
michinohatoresu said:
I know a teeny bit of Java, and I'm working on becoming an Android developer, so if anything needs doing on the Android side of things, I'm willing to contribute.
Although I may not know as much as some others, I'm definitely a fast learner. I have a few books on Android development I'm reading through right now.
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Well, we can reuse a lot of code from Cyanogen updater.
akirah said:
Well, we can reuse a lot of code from Cyanogen updater.
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Well, of course.
If anything else needs doing, however, I volunteer what spare time I have.
akirah said:
Well, we can reuse a lot of code from Cyanogen updater.
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Could be easily done, would require quite a lot of laborious work ripping out all the stuff you wouldn't need though.
I would take a look at this but unfortunately I have another Android project on at the moment which is taking all my development spare time.
@SimonNWalker What sort of backend having you got going? REST? SOAP?
Ups wrong theread
not that it matters (since i kept the source 100% open)....
you have my blessing to tear the cmupdater to shreds if it will give us a unified solution to all our ROM cravings
firefart has done a good job of keeping the code pretty clean so there shouldnt be too many issues with grabbing it
and the new code for the screenshots for themes could probably be used to the advantage of this project with ease
I'm not really interested in a rom updater, but a market replacement with an "upgrade all" feature (à la apt-get / yum) drawing from multiple repositories would be most exciting.
The Cyanogen updater could be used, it just needs some modifications. Stuff like sub-sections and update all
Would probably need a new method to keep track of the updates aswell, I don't think json would be sufficient for a lot of applications and updates. Unless somebody could make some kind of script to automate the process when it gets uploaded.
willmav5000 said:
Would probably need a new method to keep track of the updates aswell, I don't think json would be sufficient for a lot of applications and updates. Unless somebody could make some kind of script to automate the process when it gets uploaded.
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The only other method I would consider, besides JSON, is an advanced and well thought out web-based form that the developer is forced to complete upon uploading a ROM. This would place more burden on the server, but should be relatively easy to attach the provided ROM information to the rom database.
Think: Check boxes for firmware compatibilities, check boxes for device compatibilities, version number, change log, etc.
Maybe something a little like this?
Wow this would be/ is gonna be awsome!
I would suggest also that you can backup your sd card settings (and maybe also sms...) to an ftp server (or some other server you can install on your pc) from this app...
like (incremential) backup>partition>wipe>install update>boot>getbackupback
problem is to get the server adress back after wipe. maybe stored in web database and encrypted with phone imei number? or uploaded as google
whatever...
or just not wiping that single adress
just saying ^^
willmav5000 said:
Would probably need a new method to keep track of the updates aswell, I don't think json would be sufficient for a lot of applications and updates. Unless somebody could make some kind of script to automate the process when it gets uploaded.
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JSON is just a file format. The CM Updater works via a static JSON file that gets updated manually. The way I'd design this (which is what I asked a couple of posts back) is a dynamic web service (probably REST based) which delivered JSON dynamically. Wouldn't be too difficult at all.
As SimonWalker said he's using PHP + MySQL I'm guessing that's already being done.
@garok89: CM Updater is completely open-source therefore blessings are not needed to use the source. Really don't understand all the "credit" crap here on XDA.
senab said:
@garok89: CM Updater is completely open-source therefore blessings are not needed to use the source. Really don't understand all the "credit" crap here on XDA.
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I know it is open and I don't need to give my blessing for people to use the source. I did so because a lot of people don't feel comfortable using other peoples code without permission, regardless of whether or not its 100% open source.
And as for the 'credit crap'... I don't see you asking for your name to be removed from the 'about' section of the app
I am not asking for any credit
Anyway, lets not get off topic...
Guys, before this becomes Android Open Alliance, the sequel (you all remember how that went), I think we better set up a way to work together first and then toss in the speculative stuff later.
How about starting simple; set up a wave?
I'm hoping to get some help with a collaborative list of applications for the latest android. The list will be comprised of the application filename, where it comes from(ie: CyanogenMod, OTA, GApps, AOSP, etc), what it's purpose is(brief description), and whether or not it is safe to remove(possibly also a column for what applications are dependent on it, if necessary.)
I know there have been other attempts at this, however I cannot find an up-to-date version.
I have started, but honestly don't know what a lot of the applications do. This will be something that I will edit over the next few days when I have the time and patience, and hopefully others will join in as well.
Here's the link if anyone feels like chipping in. Feel free to reformat it to look prettier, or prepare it with BB code for later use in a forum post.
Any help is greatly appreciated, and I hope that once this is done, it will help some people out.
I'll also include - in the final post - a prewritten script (for use in recovery) which can remove all of the apps that are "safe to remove" (so that people can edit it to their liking)
Hi I have an Google Play Dev Accaunt and Google have for everything an App ( Google Analythic , Google I/O etc.) but not for thhe Google Play Developer Console and beccause that I made an app about that !
I know that app isn´t perfect and it unnecessary but I think it's nice for something even an app to have
Feedback is welcome !
And sorry for my bad english ...
Screenshots :
*Coming Soon*
The Open-Source Code is on GitHub :
https://github.com/Ch-Developer/Developer-Console
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Download :
apk : View attachment 2887193
on Play Store : https://play.google.com/store/apps/....ai_christian_developer_app.Developer_Console
Developer_Console(2) is the old Version at the new Version changes :
#add imprint
#fix bug at log in
reserved
Well this just looks terrible.
ktetreault14 said:
Well this just looks terrible.
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Why you so negative?
To op, great job
ktetreault14 said:
Well this just looks terrible.
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Sorry but better than nothing or ?
gamepois0n said:
Why you so negative?
To op, great job
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Thanks
I meant as in it looks like it steal your google sign in credentials.
ktetreault14 said:
I meant as in it looks like it steal your google sign in credentials.
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Do not worry it does not. But if you do not believe me, here is the SOURCE code is made with beta AppInventor (http://beta.appinventor.mit.edu/)
View attachment Developer_Console.zip
believe me now?
sorry to sound truly negative but it is with best interest; but why would you be rfeleasing source code that is irrelevant to others to be able to check? if you are going to post a source code using a developement software thats minimally used to begin with? you might as well just make a simple layout, use buttons, and just load webviews to just load the mobile website for the developer console... as stupid as that may sound thats basically all i can truly think would be a good use for that because when its something as secure needed as the app developers developerconsole u will NEVER see too many people use random apps to access it, let alone using .shm and othe runknown file formats that dont open with notepad; so posting such soruce code is no use to any developer to "check for yourself" as it is still unccesable to the developers to check...
in other words basicly this topic should be marked as closed as there is no true way to check the legitmacy of this app and the codes submitted apon requested to see if its not malicious is irrelevant; as a google account hacking may be one thing; but a hacking to a developers console cannot be acceptible to other developers and thus why not many apps are made for the console as it just isnt trusted by other develoers to use unless it is really from "pub:Google inc." on google play
jkok said:
sorry to sound truly negative but it is with best interest; but why would you be rfeleasing source code that is irrelevant to others to be able to check? if you are going to post a source code using a developement software thats minimally used to begin with? you might as well just make a simple layout, use buttons, and just load webviews to just load the mobile website for the developer console... as stupid as that may sound thats basically all i can truly think would be a good use for that because when its something as secure needed as the app developers developerconsole u will NEVER see too many people use random apps to access it, let alone using .shm and othe runknown file formats that dont open with notepad; so posting such soruce code is no use to any developer to "check for yourself" as it is still unccesable to the developers to check...
in other words basicly this topic should be marked as closed as there is no true way to check the legitmacy of this app and the codes submitted apon requested to see if its not malicious is irrelevant; as a google account hacking may be one thing; but a hacking to a developers console cannot be acceptible to other developers and thus why not many apps are made for the console as it just isnt trusted by other develoers to use unless it is really from "pub:Google inc." on google play
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So for example, I use a different google account for google for play and store in the browser I'm not always logged accaunt with my App Maker wherefore I use this app because I do not have an extra logout. And I can only repeat it is not a hack app that would AppInventor with the impossible
Based on the screenshots it seems like the app is just a bunch of WebViews that load the mobile version of the Dev Console. That isn't much different from just loading the page in the browser....and there's the added security concern about stealing account credentials as someone pointed out earlier.
Also, if you're going to make your project open source, don't share a proprietary format. Share the raw java source code on Github.
If they tell me how happy ... in a normal app with eclipse but I knew this I did with AppInventor as I have already written ...
davelee1054 said:
Based on the screenshots it seems like the app is just a bunch of WebViews that load the mobile version of the Dev Console. That isn't much different from just loading the page in the browser....and there's the added security concern about stealing account credentials as someone pointed out earlier.
Also, if you're going to make your project open source, don't share a proprietary format. Share the raw java source code on Github.
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exactly! developers appericate when u "open source" to use a format we ALL can use and are comfortable with; i would prefeer even obfusticated java code that u need to route where all the things go thghen some random format they send out to use their program; but i have deminstrated to people in my local area that just because the app uses webviewsx it does not mean safe; there is still intents you can use to monitor keypresses in certain feilds (also why newer keyboard apps say they dont keep logs in their privacy notes because such things are known for keylogging)
and even if it is build in eclipse i dont feel i need to use an extention as he seems to make it sound like to just view it as i tried reading it in eclipse (as i removed notepad, wordpad, microsoft office so i can use eclipse on all documents) so even if i could see "the codes" why push your application to read the codes as even if u released the source, its still not readable without your extention program you made, and it may seem legitable to you as the developer (trust me on my app sms Tasks some things i do to it are questioned by some just for the fact its a sms-reciever client to control phones remotely with a pass phrase, u can see it in my sig for more details if u wanted further looks) but in regards to this not many people trust these things as you either need to use someone elses program to even read it, people dont trust random tools with little credits to it, and expecially when the app is sketchy and its logcats (and apk tool'd decompiled source codes when de-obfusticated) does show indeed this is WEBVIEWS but instead it also throws some exceptions, some exceteras, and a few more things then just loading a webview as it does, so im just saying that when you are doing stuff like these expecially something as secured needed as the developers console to release their apps, to release monitations, to make money and review statistics, not many people will trust a app to do so, and are even sketchy using mobile browsers to do so expecially from mobile internet (not wifi) as all networking is tracked from them and everything done on it even more then wifi-internet-compatible companies do even with VPN's and stuff theres some things that are truly not trusted in 3-rd party sources without true credibility, some people never trusted paypal in its early years due to it keeping logs of peoples creditcard information, social security information, and other details for tax-based incomes as even at its early times the encryptions used were minimal to what they have now
basicly if you read all the comments here, and all whats in them u will see that if you release the codes that made it, use it in a format we can all truly see and use as the sources u released are useless to debug or see its true credibility
Well said
-_- I gave you the source aso ....
Hey I make it to GitHub !
The Open-Source Code is on GitHub :
https://github.com/Ch-Developer/Developer-Console
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Mhhhh..
Hello everybody,
like I guess quite a few people here, I develop for Android in my free time, and this is my second app. It's a finance tracker, hopefully an evolution to the well-known MoneyWise. I decided that I wanted a new one since, although MoneyWise is definitively useful, it's ugly and its usability is a little bit too cumbersome.
So, I made LBudget with the Material Design principles in my head as much as I could and, if any of you uses the Google+ app, you'll hopefully find the navigation relatively familiar.
The app is still in Beta phase (using the Google Play platform) and, because of the current condition of Android L, it will remain as such at least until a stable release is commercially released. Nevertheless, I would like to use the time until then for the app to be tested and improved. If you would like to contribute by installing it, you'll first need to follow the annoying Google Play standard procedure:
Join the testing community at https://plus.google.com/communities/117254163315407088886
Register as a test at https://play.google.com/apps/testing/org.jorge.lbudget (use the same account with which you joined the testing community).
Download the app in the link that the aforementioned page provides once you become a tester.
For reporting bugs, requesting features, or such, I want to really encourage you to utilize the project GitHub issue tracker, but if you don't know how to use it just leave a comment and I will "port" it to GitHub.
Also, if you're interested in contributing but not using Android L yet or simply don't want to install the app, you can contribute to the translation project at https://crowdin.com/project/lbudget
Went to check this out, but it says I need a newer SDK version. I'm not on L, anyway to make it compatible with 4.4.4?
Sc4ryB3ar said:
Went to check this out, but it says I need a newer SDK version. I'm not on L, anyway to make it compatible with 4.4.4?
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Well, the app is compatible with L+, so understandably if you try to install in 4.4.4 you cannot. Probably it is feasible to adapt the app to 4.0+, but my intention was knowledgeably using only the new features of L to become familiar with it.