Android Market
Overview
Android Market online software store developed by Google for Android devices.
An app called “Android Market” is preinstalled on Google branded Android devices and allows users to browse and download applications published by third-party developers, hosted on Market.
Android market is a Google licensed software, and it is not open source software.
Android Market was presented on Google I/O conference on October 2008. Market is available for Android phones, tablets and other Android devices.
Moreover Market helps developers get distribution, it will be a place where users can go and download content. Billing system would allow content providers to get paid for.
This way of software selling lets developers to make money easily, they don’t need worry about promoting and providing, what they made.
Android Market is an open system, anyone is able to publish content, all you need is to register, upload, describe and publish application or games.
For developers Google has prepared an analytics and statistics for planning and improving business.
For users there is a possibility to comment and describe what developers have published.
All infrastructure, support for free and paid apps, and control is provided by Google.
Android Market is similar to Apple’s App Store, but there are some differents.
Google don’t approve any software, it means that anyone is able to public games and apps. This process is much more open then App Store.
There will be a possibility to download free software – Market is offering free games and applications for Android users.
Next advantage is revenue sharing model, developer and carrier can make an arrangement about charges – 70% goes to developer, 25% takes carrier and 5% is for preservation.
Revenue earned from the Android Market is paid to developers via Google Checkout merchant accounts.
Supported locations
Currently, all developers can choose to distribute free apps to users in the following countries:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zeland, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States.
Currently, developers in the below countries may register as Google Checkout merchants and sell priced applications:
Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, United States.
Currently, developers in these locations may sell priced applications to users in the following countries:
Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Korea.
Criticism:
- Google checkout only way to buy
- Hard to find paid apps
- Various intermittent problems
- Paid apps only in few countries – priced applications are currently only available in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Korea
- 24 hour return policy – user can make a backup of most apps with Astro file manager and some other file managers, then go uninstall and get a refund for the app, and then go back into the file manager and reinstall refunded app
- Lack of marketing tools, affiliate programs etc.
Gallery
The most successful paid apps:
March 14, 2010
Paid apps downloaded 50000-250000 times:
- DocumentsToGo Full Version – price $19.99
- Open Home – Full – price $3.99
- Better Keyboard – price $2.99
- Facebook Pro – price £1.50
- PoliceStream – price $1.80
- Beautiful Widgets – price €1.49
- Power Manager Full – price $0.99
Paid games downloaded 50000-250000 times:
- Robo Defense – price $2.99
- Jewellust – price $2.95
Larva Labs estimates that, as of June 18th, 2010, $6,000,000 has been paid out to developers for games, and $15,000,000 has been paid out on apps. That is a total of $21,000,000, almost 50x lower than the amount paid out to devs on iPhone.
History
Android Market was launched on 23 October 2008, and for first months it works as a beta with free software, because billing features will be implemented on Q1 2009. It had just over 50 apps on start. It’s simple and clean to navigate download system. The main menu consists of a bar with featured apps, and a list of the main categories as Applications, Games, Search and My Downloads.
After one month, on November 28, Medialets has revealed list of the most popular downloads from Android Market. Namco classic game Pac-Man, with more than 250,000 downloads, and average 4.5 out of 5 user rating was first over almost 300 apps. Next apps as MySpace Mobile, The Weather Channel, ShopSavvy, Ringdroid, imeem Mobile, Shazam, Rings Extended, Bonsai Blast and Brain Genius Deluxe scored between 50,000 and 250,000 downloads each.
On 1st-quarter of 2009, this Google powered system has 4 competitors: Apple App Store, BlackBerry Application Centre, Nokia Download! and Palm Software Store.
On December 31, 2008 Google sent an email to Android Market participants about paid apps. Payment systems will be implemented in first quarter of 2009 in the U.S. and U.K., next in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, and later in France, Italy, and Spain. By the end of Q1 2009, will be announced list of another supported countries.
On January 18, 2009 Eric Chu announced that Android Market will become available to users in Germany, Poland, Austria, Netherlands, and Czech Republic. It is related with launching Android phones across Europe.
On a conference dedicated to fourth-quarter of results, Google annouced that on Android Market there were more than 800 applications.
On 25 January 2009 was annouced information about first harmful app for Android. “MemoryUp Personal” is destroying personal data when installed onto a handset.
On February 2009 new RC33 Firmware 1.1 update include such Android Market functions as update check and comment spam marking. Moreover, RC33 update moves the Android Market out of Beta.
On February 13, 2009 was annouced information about accepting priced applications from US and UK developers. Google Checkout is the payment and billing system for Android Market. Developers in Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, and Spain will be offered priced applications later Q1 2009.
On February 15 applications in Android Market become available to users in Australia.
On February 17 priced applications become available to end users.
After few days there was a few applications around $25, $15 and $10. There was low cost apps – 136 for $1 and 42 for $2.
After one week there was 227 applications, from 99 cents to $34.99, and 148 games, from 99 cents to $9.99. A total number of priced applications in the Android Market was 375.
On March 2009 Cole Brodman, T-Mobile’s CTO, said that Android Market need better filtering and searching.
On March Google announced that they are going to introduce Android Market app store to South Korea, as early as Q3 2009.
On March T-mobile has reported that average user of G1 phone at T-Mobile USA has downloaded more than 40 applications from the Android Market. At this time there was more than 2,300 applications in the Market.
On 31 March Google has banned tethering application from the Android Market for violating the developer distribution agreement. It was a result of violation the T-Mobile terms of service – this wireless carrier doesn’t allow tethering. After few days Google restored tethering app for Android users outside the T-Mobile US network.
After six months there was 1438 apps on Market – 790 applications and 648 games. Only 12 applications was paid. Number of paid games is 266. About 30 apps and games was downloaded more then 2500000 times.
On May 6th, 2009 Android Market Support Team has written about several changes. Market gained abilities for developers to:
- target new countries such Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland
- support local language for English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Czech, Polish
- support paid apps for Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain
- required identification of minimum SDK version supported for new/updated apps
Moreover, Android Market Support Team, recommend to focus on making sure that 1.1 app works properly on 1.5 devices.
On May 28th, 2009, Android Market Support Team has written that developers can target new countries – Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Greece, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan.
On June 30th, 2009 problem with “App Update Available” notification has been reported. “App Update Available” is a feature responsible for notification that newer version of that application is available in Android Market.
On September 2009 developer of the Cyanogen Android ROM was asked by Google to not modify Google licensed software, like Android Market, becaus is not open source.
On September 2009 Google launched Android 1.6. New release contained a lot of new functionality in Android Market:
Some News from Android Market Posted by Eric Chu, Android Mobile Platform on 03 September 2009 at 3:30 PM I’m pleased to let you know about several updates to Android Market. First, we will soon introduce new features in Android Market for Android 1.6 that will improve the overall experience for users. As part of this change, developers will be able to provide screenshots, promotional icons and descriptions that will better show off applications and games. We have also added four new sub-categories for applications: sports, health, themes, and comics. Developers can now choose these sub-categories for both new and existing applications via the publisher website. Finally, we have added seller support for developers in Italy. Italian developers can go to the publisher website to upload applications and target any of the countries where paid applications are currently available to users. To take advantage of the upcoming Android Market refresh, we encourage you to visit the Android Market publisher website and upload additional marketing assets. Check out the video below for some of the highlights.
On November 4th, 2009, T-Mobile add carrier billing for the Android Market, as well as its own channel within the software portal. Moreover, T-Mobile shared some interesting information from its current myTouch 3G users that is worth passing along.
- About half myTouch users visit the Android Market at least once per day.
- More than 40% of myTouch users access social networking sites multiple times per day.
- 80% of myTouch users browse the web at least once per day, and 2/3 say several times per day.
- Nearly half of myTouch users say they have “completely customized” their myTouch.
On November 11th, 2009, Google introduced new Android Market Developer Distribution Agreement.
On November 11th, there was more then 10000 apps on Market.
On December 16th, 2009 Google has informed that there are 16,000 active applications in Android Market. On December 2009 a developer Droid09 uploaded a malicious (phishing) application to Android Market. The application was removed from Android Market.
On February 23rd, 2010, ZDNet has reported that Android Market is the 2nd largest application store with 19,297 apps compared to Apple’s 150,998 apps. Nokia’s Ovi Store is 3rd with 6,118 apps.
On March 2010, Microsoft has released first application designed to work with Android devices. This “Tag” application is already available for other platforms, like Windows Mobile, Symbian, the iPhone, BlackBerry and handsets.
On March 16, 2010 Google has announced that Android Market has around 30,000 applications.
On April 6, 2010 AndroidLib.com has announced that Android Marketplace saw 9,331 new mobile applications added to its app store during the month of March 2010. AndroidLib.com also reported that number of Android applications has reached approx 42,000 apps.
On April 2010 analytics group Distimo has announced that, free applications on Android Market are available in 46 countries, from 25 a few weeks ago. Distimo also ranks the top selling apps, and their latest list puts Beautiful Widgets at the top followed by MyBackup Pro and Advanced Task Manager. Top selling games are Robo Defense, Jewelllust, and Tower Raiders GOLD.
On April 24, 2010 AndroidLib.com has announced that there are 50186 Android apps, and 63972 screenshots in Android Market. On April 24 Androidzoom reported only 48170 apps.
On April 25, 2010 PayPal has announced that it has found a way to incorporate its payments system with Android Market. Paypal will be providing its app payment service for purchasing Android apps from 2nd quarter 2010 and will be supported in US, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Australia, France and Italy.
On May 2010 Google has updated the Android Market website.
On May 20th, 2010 Gogole officially announced Android Froyo 2.2. Additions to Android Market:
- ability for the user to update all of their applications in one click
- option of allowing applications to auto-update.
- Android Application Error Reports
On Jun 10, 2010 AndroidLib.com has announced that there are 70000 Android apps in Android Market.
On Jun 23, at the Motorola Droid X event Google has announced that Android Market hosts 68,000 applications (includes keyboards, skins, ringtones and other thing).
July 5th, 2010. According to analytics company Distimo, 57 percent of apps found in the Android Market are available for free. Average price of apps in the Android Market sits at $3.29, and $4.27 for apps ranked in the top 100.
July 11th, 2010. According to AndroidLib Android store should reach 100,000 total apps before the end of July, and as of now is already over 90,000. The rate of growth is now high enough that AndroLib estimates over 15,000 apps were added in June alone.
On July 14, 2010 AndroLib has announced that 1 billion apps have been downloaded from Android Market to Android handsets around the world to date.
On July 15, 2010 Google has confirmed that there are only 70,000 titles in the Android Market, but the stats provided by Androlib may be different due to International markets.
From July 16th, 2010 paid applications in Android Market are available in Korea.
On July 26, 2010 Google changed Market Developer Distribution Agreement, that introduced new purchase options – paing for apps alongside monthly bill.
- In Section 13.1, “authorized carriers” have been added as an indemnified party.
- Section 13.2 is new in its entirety, covering indemnity for payment processors for claims related to tax accrual.
On July 26, 2010 AppBrain blog wrote about filtering Android Market.
Last week, we mentioned that one Android developer, “For-side.com Co. Ltd”, had completely disappeared from the Android market along with his 4,000 apps. At the end of last week, another notorious publisher, “StoneJordan”, with another 500 apps, was removed.
On July 27 2010 Google announced new licensing service for applications in Android Market.
At run time, with the inclusion of a set of libraries provided by us, your application can query the Android Market licensing server to determine the license status of your users. It returns information on whether your users are authorized to use the app based on stored sales records.
Threats
On June 2010 mobile security company SMobile has looked into the potential privacy and security issues in more than 48,000 apps in the Android Market. The company’s findings are alarming for Android owners:
- approximately 20 per cent of Android apps request permission to access private or sensitive information
- one out of every 20 apps can place a call to any number without approval from the user
- 3 per cent of apps can send an SMS to any number
- 383 apps can read or use authentication credentials from another service or app
- twenty-nine apps request the exact same permissions as apps that SMobile categorizses as spyware
- eight apps request a specific permission that would allow the Android device to brick itself or render it “absolutely unusable”
Supported phones
Nexus One
HTC Dream (T-mobile G1), HTC Magic (T-Mobile myTouch 3G), HTC Hero (Droid Eris), HTC Tattoo, HTC Desire, HTC Legend, HTC Wildfire
Motorola Droid (Milestone), Motorola Cliq (Dext), Motorola Backflip, Motorola DEVOUR, Motorola CLIQ XT (QUENCH), Motorola XT800, Motorola Droid X, Motorola Droid 2
Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Behold 2, Samsung Moment, Samsung Spica, Samsung Galaxy S
Acer Liquid A1, Acer Liquid E, Acer beTouch E110, Acer beTouch E400
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini, Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro, Sony Ericsson Xperia X8
Garmin nuvifone A50
Alcatel OT-980
Huawei U8220 (T-mobile Pulse), Huawei U8230
LG GW620 Eve
Dell Mini 3iX
Android Market Business and Program Policies
- Android Market is owned and operated by Google Inc.
- You have 48 hours from the time of purchase (not download) for a full refund of any applicable fees.
- Android Market does not provide upgrade functionality (but RC33 Firmware include update check function).
- You are allowed an unlimited number of reinstalls of each application obtained via the Market.
- Google retains the right to remotely remove some applications from your Device.
- Google is not responsible for billing disputes.
- Google does not provide customer support for Products distributed by Developers on Android Market.
Google don’t allow content that contains:
- nudity and sexually explicit material
- violent or bullying behavior
- hate speech
- private & confidential information
- malicious products
- prohibited products
- illegal activities
- copyright infringement
Only users 13 years of age or older are permitted to use Android Market.
What is your opinion about Android Market ?
January 23rd, 2010 at 5:21 pm
In my opinion andriod market is poorly designed and managed yet.
Considering that the Apple Apps Store is not much better.
February 5th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
We’ve published the BrainGoal! game on the Android market (currently ONLY on the Android market).
We’ve uploaded two versions – one is a demo and the second is Pro.
We had more than 3,000 downloads in one month.
Two problems that occured:
1. The game crashed on several models, even though on the development cell it worked smoothly.
2. The demo game has not appeared in several countries, even though we haven’t put any limitations on it. The Pro has obviously limited distribution as well.
The market’s technical support is very limited – no real answers can be get. The problems are slowly solved and though, the game is cool …
February 14th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Some facts – Android Market vs Apple App Store
Both Apple and Google offer a free SDK, so you are able to start making application immediately with no cost.
Apple App Store – for testing you will need a Mac with Leopard Mac OS X. If you are going to sell your app and games, you will need to sign contract with Apple, and pay $99.
When your application is ready for release you’ll need to wait for Apple approval before it will become available in the Apple App Store.
If you want to sell your application, you’ll get 70% and Apple will take a 30% cut to cover their costs.
Android Market – to get full access to their resources and sell your app you will need to sign an agreement and pay a $25 registration fee. When your application is ready you can publish it directly on Android Market. If you want to sell your application, you’ll get 70%, the other 30% goes to wireless carriers and Google.
Programming Language – Android is a Java based environment, for the iPhone you’ll need to use ObjectiveC.
February 18th, 2010 at 1:44 am
In Android Market paid apps on my Droid, some named Anonymous has assigned 5 stars to many of the paid apps to float his comments to top of list. But he is actually promoting his own web site androidplayground.net. I tagged many as SPAM but u shud search that list for that URL & remove all his SPAM comments so real user feedack comments can replace them. There’s another person doing same thing w female uname.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Hi there, will there ever be an option to get paid apps for canada?
February 27th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Rumours say taht paid apps coming to Canadian Android Market next week.
On February 26, Google Canada spokesperson Wendy Rozeluk was quoted as saying:
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Success on Andriod Market
Edward Kim, developer who built the application “Car Locator” has announced that he’s pulling in $13,000 a month from the application.
Here are some of Kim’s observations:
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:27 pm
As for piracy, I think that 30% of total downloads being pirated.
As for revenue, I believe that there are only 30-40 apps netting more than $100 a day.
March 6th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Can’t figure out why google would not want to help promote apps for developers. At least offer a list by categories for those thinking about buying an android phone. this could only help sales for developers. I have a very successful golf app on iphone but without some promo or placement by google its going to be a struggle.
March 11th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
It’s certainly possible to make money off Android Market. I use ad banners in my apps – and don’t have to worry about piracy.
In the long run, I also think the revenue will be better, as ad money is recurring.
I also don’t have to worry about giving Google 30% for my hard labor, or worry about refunds, billing problems etc.
My games can be found at http://dkdroid.com
March 13th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
My favorite andriod market place games:
ExZeus Arcade
Raging Thunder 2
Retro Defense
Robo Defense
Battle for Mars
March 24th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
The one thing the Apple App store has over Android Market is the ability to search for apps on your desktop. I will admit that Apples form factor for the app store leaves a lot to de desired i.e., being on page one of 580 (does anyone actually search through all those pages? If so do they have a life?) That being said however, searching for apps on the actual Android device has got to be tedious at best and uses up precious battery and bytes. The online desktop version of Android Market is a freaking joke. Really, is that the best you guys can do? Four pages is all they have. If Android is ever to beat Apple then they need to give their customers at least the same options as Apple. Until then I will just go with the leader, Apple, who has a much easier and seamless experience. Wake up, Android Market!!
March 28th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I really like the android market. I wish they could keep up with the iphone
apps. I really would like to see Words With Friends”on the android
Market.
April 7th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Poor support for the Android market.
I bought SE X10.And Market is not instaled.
And can not do nothingwith X10 now.
April 8th, 2010 at 1:12 am
Apple apps are clearly advertised way better and you can browse through them on a desktop. People like me that want to compare and see the difference in the apps currently cannot do that on the android website. I hear there’s 30,000 but the website only shows like 100 and gives the image that there aren’t that many Android apps out there.
April 12th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
i would like to see the android market be available on my computer. To find and read a description of the app would be much easier on a desktop than a phone. Many apps are so close in title but much different in application. Precentral has a good, working setup. Differentiating between some apps on the phone is tedious.
April 16th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Android Market has a lot of free apps as well. Here are my top 5.
1. MaplePaint
2. Google Sky
3. Shazam
4. Telnet
5. Frozen Bubble
April 19th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
The consumer market for apps is certainly bigger than the business market, and I think the jury is still out on who wins. That said, businesses have been pretty well over-looked in this discussion so far.
Who do you think will win the war for the biggest and best business app store? We’re making a run for it at Canvas http://www.gocanvas.com, and we just released our portfolio in Android Market. I’d be curious to get your thoughts on how we should market our business apps through iTunes, Android Market, Windows Marketplace and other app stores.
April 29th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Hi,
I don’t know if its a correct forum to ask this question.
I have HTC Tattoo handset, I tried connecting to android market but every time I get error stating error in establishing a secure connection, I am doing this using the inbuilt application for market place.
Is this facility is limited to some countries only as I am using this from India.
Please let me know what i can do to resolve this issue.
May 5th, 2010 at 8:37 am
Android handsites are now being sold in Ireland and many people are buying from the likes of Pixmania. When will we be able to access paid apps?
May 5th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I suggest official Android Market Support forum
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Android+Market?hl=en
I think that Android Market will allow paid apps in more countries soon.
You can use alternative market places like SlideMe.org
June 5th, 2010 at 9:33 am
I think taht in the long run openness is a problem, especially for security reasons. Everyone wants freedom until people start uploading malware or trojans.
Google doesn’t have employees dedicated to vetting applications submitted to Android Market. Google said it removes apps that violate its policies, but largely relies on users to alert it to bad software.
Some security experts believe Google’s Andriod Market is more vulnerable than other app stores since Google doesn’t examine all apps before they are available for users to download.
June 5th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Android is fine in every single way. From interface and usability to ecosystem and community.
Android Market needs improvement, but it doesn’t need to be like App Store.
In my opinion Android Market suffers a bit from spamming.
June 5th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Android Games vs iPhone games – conclusions
I haven seen only few games on the Android that compare quality with the games for iPhone. Only Gameloft Android HD games are as good as iPhone games. It’s a little disappointing.
It’s a bit sad that most of the apps and games for Android don’t really compare to the iPhone. They don’t have that shine that make the iPhone games so good.
Maybe the problem is a wide variety of devices, which have different capabilities and specs.
June 6th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
As a developer I can say is that the only way to get significant download numbers is by being within the top 50 or getting featured by Google.
Moreover, Google failing to make paid apps available in the Market for selected regions.
June 6th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Few developers have told me that creating apps for Android is a complex problem. Compared to iPhone, with certain specifications, Android is running on many devices, each with their own procesor, size screen, and their own capabilities.
An Android developer that makes an app for let’s say the Motorola Droid doesn’t know whether the app will work on the Nexus One, or Incredible.
June 6th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I think that this update is a first step to 100% web based Android Market. Google will introduce such features as searching apps, purchasing apps, and the most interesting -push feature to download apps on phone, straight from computer.
June 8th, 2010 at 10:33 am
I’ve been using the Android Market for over a while now and I’m immensely happy with it.
I like:
- an open environment
- the ratings, user comments, and screenshots, they definitely help make the decision easier
I’d like to see:
- a related apps option to allow you to find apps like the one you are viewing/downloading
- better search functionality
June 9th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Does Google plan to offer an affiliate program for the Android Market?
June 9th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
I think this could be a huge advantage for Android, but this very problematic issue.
Apple gives to the publisher 4% via Tradedoubler.
June 10th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Disadvantages:
- Download problems, sometimes I can’t download apps, downloading progress bar does not move. It can stay that way for hours, but after rebooting, I see that the app was downloaded and installed.
- Android market payment, only Google Checkout but it looks that Android users will be able to make app purchases by way of PayPal.
- comments, one of the most common complaints about the Android Market is how irritation and offensiveness of the comment system.
- Online browser, necessary
June 12th, 2010 at 9:21 am
Is there any android market alternative ?
June 12th, 2010 at 10:13 am
SlideME
YAAM
June 16th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Andspot
June 18th, 2010 at 7:23 am
I am very impressed from the work of andriod developers and I also developed a fight game for iphone users and I want to make account in andriod website if it will be possible then user can enjoy a very interesting game
July 3rd, 2010 at 1:00 am
Are paid apps available in Ireland, and are they only available on android market. planing on getting a new phone and thinking on going with the Sony Ericsson X10 Xperia , dont want to have to go down the apple route.
July 3rd, 2010 at 4:59 pm
At this moment NO, but you may buy apps via:
SlideMe.org – android market alternative (small number of paid apps)
Gameloft – paid games are available directly from Gameloft site
Some developer sold directly from site:
Navigation – NDrive
Office – .doc .xls file editor – Documents To Go
…etc
July 4th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
I think this whole thing is lame. I live in an area that I cannot get a lot of droid applications, basically closes me from the benefit of the vast number of tools in the market. I’m considering throwing the droid phone away and buy either an iphone or a blackberry, for their superior range of available tools.
July 7th, 2010 at 11:09 am
In my opinion developers are dissatisfied with the lack of management and hands-off approach of Google.
Google needs to struggle more actively with spam, trademark and copyright violation in Android Market. If company doesn’t take active steps to correct this situation, it will have to quit the its smartphone app store.
July 8th, 2010 at 11:05 am
I have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of free apps available in the Android Market. In my opinion, their quality exceeds the quality of free apps available in Apple’s Itunes store.
July 9th, 2010 at 9:07 am
I strongly disagree that the market is okay.
Google need to create a filter for all the junk apps, like the 15000 apps for ringtones, photos and cheap useless apps.
They have to add the ability to filter by the amount of downloads and by the ranking…when you search for example , twitter, in the market you just get a whole random bunch of apps listed in no apparent order
Id like to be able to filter out certain companies so i dont have to go to an external site just to find one good app after ripping apart the rest of the market.
Moreover, there’s no bookmark features, the couple of screenshots helped but should have been implemented from the start, we should have videos of the apps in use as well, maybe the ability to install older versions of apps as well ( not so important to me because of backup apps and such), last but not least the ability to download from a web based or desk top app store.
July 12th, 2010 at 9:42 am
I think that it’s time for Google to show they actually care about quality. Time for a more careful review, just to weed out the spyware and useless apps like 12326 kinds of flashlight apps.
About numbers of Apps – most of those 1000,000 apps are just replications of the same apps for different devices. That probably leaves about 15,000 apps re-written a half a dozen times.
July 12th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I would like to see YouTube-style filtering. I t’s good to see what are the most downloaded by day, week, month, all-time and which are the highest rated over similar periods.
I’d like to be able to sort search results by ratings, size, price, featured.
July 13th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Who is going to win – Android or iPhone ?
It will be the same as it was with the Mac. The Apple produced powerful Mac until Windows gained momentum and now controls the desktop market – Apple hasn’t learned from their mistakes.
Android will win in the end simply because anyone can make an android phone or an android app and anyone can buy/download those app’s from anywhere.
July 13th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I think that Andriod Market is not good place for dewelopers – they aren’t making money because anyone can pirate 99% of the apps released today. Users don’t need to be rooted to install them either.
Next problem is a 24 hour return policy.
So basically is a stealing.
July 15th, 2010 at 10:31 am
I don’t think there is any effective way to control the quality of apps made for a open market. In this model the most important factor is user ranking and feed back on what they install.
User ranking system in Android Market is not effective, there are many very good apps which don’t gain popularity and visibility.
July 16th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Android Markethas 70,000 titles and billion downloads – almost two years after the launch of the store.
The Apple App Store has already crossed 5 billion downloads and now has over 225,000 applications.
July 17th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I have used both Android and iPhones before and I find that the only difference is the Android phone are a little faster and feature-rich and the iPhone has a bigger app store.
July 17th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Switching from the iPhone to the android i was under the impression that the games would be the same, but the iPhone has much better games and much more.
Lack of quality 3D games is a weakness in the Android Market.
Android Market still has a long way to go before it becomes a true option for gamers.
July 17th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
No quality 3D games?
Lack of money on Android Market is definitely significant issue. Majority of countries of the world can’t buy and sell, and don’t generate significant revenue.
Another problem is fragmentation. Different phones, various screen sizes, OS versions, processors, hardware buttons and keyboard… developing to Android becomes very complex compared to the iPhone. So.. it’s easier to make app than game.
July 18th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
No quality 3D games?
Because of piracy.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve noticed a sharp increase in the number of people who pay for the app then ask for a refund about half an hour later. They backing it up, and get refund, then reinstall it from backup.
In this condition Nobody will risk his 2000h of work to produce quality 3D game.
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:31 pm
I have used Android Market and to be honest, it’s complete junk.
There are a few decent games, a lot of pointless live wallpapers, keyboard skins, mods, “hello world” apps and a select few good apps.
After releasing Android App inventor there will be billion useless apps.
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:55 pm
The success of Android is directly associated with the ability to attract and keep active and creative independent developers. And only a good source of income will keep good developers.
Not allowing developers to promote their apps to generate higher income is not a very clever thing. Especially if Google are looking to build a solid and appealing platform, which Android could certainly become if this is what they really want.
July 25th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Help please, can the launch pro application work on the 3gs iphone? If so where can I find download? Thanks in advance
July 25th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Why my xperia x10i does not contain android market ?
July 29th, 2010 at 12:43 am
I have a motorola cliq and it had th android market on it but everytime I go to the app to try and get on it goes right back to the home screen. How can I fix this problem?
August 6th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Hi, I have a HTC desire phone. Please advise what app can I download to edit my excel files on my phone.
August 6th, 2010 at 10:18 am
Documents To Go 2.0 $14.99 (editing only in full version)
Spreadsheet £2.99
OfficeSuite Pro (Trial) – free
Shead Spreet Lite – free
August 6th, 2010 at 10:26 am
In certain regions, like Middle East, Google does not allow market to be used. This is dependent on where the device was purchased.
Sony Ericsson statement:
August 13th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
In my opinion lack of paid apps in Android Market contributes to app piracy.
Android Market still supports paid apps in only 14 countries.
Moreover, there are no agenda, and no one knows when paid apps will be opened in other countries.
Google continues to say that there are several external factors that prevent it from adding paid apps to more countries.