Hi,
I write on a little gps/google maps tool which I use for my running sport (something like MyTracks). Today Google anounced that the usage of the Google Maps API will cost when you are above a daily limit -> http://googlegeodevelopers.blogspot.com/2011/10/introduction-of-usage-limits-to-maps.html
In this blog and in the faq they are writing of websites and applications. Are applications = android applications? If this is true than it will be difficult to write a freeware app which uses Google Maps because the more users will be using this app the more you will pay. Even with a paid app you cant cover all the costs because you only get a one time a payment from a user but if your app exceeds the limits you have to pay google on a daily basis.
I hope I just missunderstood this blog post or the Google Maps API within Android isn't affected.
What do you think?
Seems unlikely that an Android app (assuming counted by a single app usage, not by everyone using the app at any given time) could exceed 25,000 map loads per day, but then I've never counted map loads... if that is a possiblity, then this is really going to suck the wind out of google maps!
Then again, I've always wondered when Google was going to start charging for services that have become exceedingly popular.
Questions or Problems Should Not Be Posted in the Development Forum
Please Post in the Correct Forums
Moving to Q&A
Huh lufc,
why do you move this thread? The normal user don't have a problem if the developer have to pay or not. It's only a developer thing/problem, imho. But ok, it's your decision.
Related
http://digitizor.com/2011/07/21/android-malware/
Android has had its fair share of malware problems. Whenever malware are detected, Google reacts swiftly and remove them. However, according to security researcher Neil Daswani, around 8% of the apps on the Android market are leaking private user data.
Neil Daswani, who is also the CTO of security firm Dasient, says that they have studied around 10,000 Android apps and have found that 800 of them are leaking private information of the user to an unauthorized server. Neil Daswani is scheduled to present the full findings at the Black Hat Conference in Las Vegas which starts on July 30th.
The Dasient researchers also found out that 11 of the apps they have examined are sending unwanted SMS messages.
Google needs to take charge
This malware problem on Android has become too much. One of the main reason that we see malicious apps in the market is because of the lack of regulation in the apps that get into the Android Market.
Sure, the lack of regulation can be good. It means that developers can make their apps without worrying if Google will accept their apps or not. It fits into the pre-existing application distribution model where anyone can develop and publish their own apps.
However, this comes at a price - the malware problem. Yes, most of the problems with these malicious apps can be avoided if only users read the permission requirements of the apps. But, what percentage of the users actually read the permission requirements of all the apps they download?
I think that it is time that Google make approval of the apps a requirement before it gets into the Market. They do not need to do it like Apple, but a basic security check before an app gets on the market will be nice.
If nothing is done about and this problem is allowed to grow, it will end up killing the platform.
Ur a good man
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
Get an iPhone then.
Don't know if apple should approve or disaproove since that can slow down the release of new apps, but they need to check, that's for sure.
Yeah, just read permissions when installing applications. A lot of them will state access to personal data (such as contacts, browser history, etc.)
Such apps like MP3 downloaders contain ALOT of this malware.
if you're that paranoid.....LBE Privacy Guard + Droidwall = #winning
This article is very true in sense of lacking of control on big G part. My friend developed an app and he was able to get it into market almost instantly. I was very shocked to find that no scanning or checking was done.
Therefore, it's a risk that we take everyday to use these apps, specially, custom ROMs because who knows what it installed really. Users just need to be aware of their action, and don't use bank apps on rooted devices, or corporate email on rooted devices, or email yourself passwords to your online banking from your rooted devices. My thought is that, if it's out there then somebody can get it these days with all the technologies.
A little bit of common sense when installing apps can go a long way. You stifle the market too much when you cater to the lowest common denominator but then if you don't you get stuff like this.
+1 on Droidwall too, great app. Just don't turn it on and then forget about it before getting it set up properly, it's a pain figuring out why you can't use the internet on anything lol
xHausx said:
A little bit of common sense when installing apps can go a long way. You stifle the market too much when you cater to the lowest common denominator but then if you don't you get stuff like this.
+1 on Droidwall too, great app. Just don't turn it on and then forget about it before getting it set up properly, it's a pain figuring out why you can't use the internet on anything lol
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Click to collapse
hahaha, was tryna to download a new app and wondering why it just stalled kept on saying, downloading..... downloading paused....blah blah!!! lol
turns out it was droidwall (even with market enabled) lol
Yea when a simple clock widget wants to read your contact, data and location but has no ads or settings, I avoided that one.
I prefer the risk of an open system to the purgatory that is a closed system ruled by a draconian company any day.
Oh look iOS does this too.
/troll
DoctorComrade said:
Oh look iOS does this too.
/troll
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hah, they're at almost 50%
Before beginning, I'm outlining two application permissions for future reference.
These were pulled from this article. It also outlines other permissions.
Raju PP said:
fine (GPS) location
While not a danger for stealing any of your personal information, this will allow an application to track where you are. Typical applications that might need this include (but are not limited to) restaurant directories, movie theater finders, and mapping applications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Raju PP said:
coarse (network-based) location
This setting is almost identical to the above GPS location permission, except that it is less precise when tracking your location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recently, I've taken an interest in privacy concerns with application permissions. I'm sure several of you are guilty of being unaware of unnecessary app permissions. I have apps on my device that I've had since migrating to Android, long before I concerned myself with privacy. In my recent hunt of cleaning up my application list, I've discovered that many applications have permissions that aren't necessary for it to function. The most common, unnecessary permission I've come across is coarse (network-based) location. As its name describes, this permission allows an app to determine your approximate location (e.g., the large location area shown by Google Maps when GPS is not on).
An example. I use a Wifi Login application to automatically enter login information for campus internet access (it was cumbersome to enter it manually each time). It works wonderfully, but it has this permission (coarse location). I asked myself, "what function of the app needs to access location??" I only need the app to access the internet, nothing else. I also noticed that each day, there was a location service wakelock despite having all location refreshing services turned off (in other apps, latitude, etc.). Upon removing its ability to obtain approximate location, the location service wakelock disappeared and functionality was not affected.
So, there are two concerns: privacy and unnecessary battery usage. While the link between the two is not often made, I'm making it here. Not only was the app (presumably) sharing my location, but in doing so, my battery took a hit. Before someone panics, I don't believe most apps use this maliciously. My guess is that app developers use it for demographic purposes to determine where in the U.S. their application is being used. Obviously not necessary, but an interesting tidbit for the creator of an app. So my question is, are you ok with apps accessing your approximate location? I've seen several games that have location permissions and in no way can that be justified.
Going beyond location permissions, there are obviously other privacy concerns. A number of app developers I've seen list why an application needs certain permissions. In the example provided above, the developer doesn't mention permission uses. In post 2, I will provide methods for identifying and removing app permissions (by using other apps lol - ironic, I know). Below is a good read about applications' additional "costs."
Free apps not truly 'free'
I use two applications to identify permissions: Appbrain Ad Detector and Avast Mobile Security. Appbrain Ad Detector has the ability to notify you when an app you install has "concerns." Avast Mobile Security has a lot of very useful features, one of them being "privacy advisor." Using one or both of these will allow you to determine what permissions are necessary and which ones are not. For what it's worth, I've only had a few apps that I felt had unnecessary permissions. You obviously don't want to revoke Tango access to the camera lol.
EDIT: I was going to suggest getting an application called "App Shield," (has the ability to remove app permissions) but it appears that it is no longer available on the market. It was a paid app that was just under 2 bucks, if I remember correctly. Due to this development, you'll have to find either App Shield or another method to accomplish this.
You can always just email the app creator and ask why they have the permission included. It (usually) takes more than one questionable permission to be truly dangerous.
From what I've read the majority of apps that use coarse location is for determining the ads you see in the app. Better chance of them being relevant to you.
Just like that article you linked, I think it was brought up on an xda portal article (either that or lifehacker love that site) that because of ad supported apps using coarse location, the battery use was higher, and paid apps that remove the ads will lower your battery drain. Not a huge difference, but it can add up.
gr8hairy1 said:
. . .
From what I've read the majority of apps that use coarse location is for determining the ads you see in the app. Better chance of them being relevant to you.
. . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes sense. Coincidentally, the example I used is a paid app. The app itself had the permission, as well as the "pro" activation apk. Though it's no longer an issue, I may consider contacting the app developer out of curiosity.
Definitely do that. I have a large amount of apps on my phone, and it's not too uncommon to get an update for an app that removes a permission. Many times it's done because people contact the developer and the developer realizes it's not needed. Most times I see that happen is in paid apps, only sometimes with the free apps.
As for your original topic "are you ok with apps accessing your location", I have no issue with it. Obviously if it is getting used maliciously, no, I wouldn't be ok with it.
But as it is, 'guaranteed' the Phone Carriers know where you are and where you've been. And 'guaranteed' the government knows where you are and where you've been. I will always be more worried about the government knowing everything they want about me, without my permission, than some app creator. And as it is, I'm ok with the government knowing.
I feel the same way about the government as I do Google. Until they turn evil and start enslaving mankind (search "is google skynet", hilarious and royally creepy) I'm going to keep using them and stay in the country I live in.
Conspiracy theorists feel free to chime in. Although let's be honest, the over-the-top conspiracy theorists (that make for the best/most hilarious conversations) won't likely be carrying around a device that has cameras, microphones, gps chip, and internet access that can be used to activate one or all of those remotely
I don't really care if they know my location, but now that you mentioned a possible battery drain, I am bothered by that. Someone should make a list of popular apps that may have unnecessary permissions that can be safely disabled through some sort of means.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stericson.permissions
Yer welcome.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
I don't care either. I have my GPS constantly disabled so the only location any of my apps could get is a general network location....
Honestly, I think privacy concerns are often blown out of proportion... mostly by the media. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing bad with being concerned, but I highly doubt we are going to have another Craig's list killer situation from developers releasing apps on Google Play. Knock on wood.
As mentioned before, contact the app's dev and ask for more info. If they never reply then I would be worried. As well you can always use a different one. If needed you can use "Tasker" which can allow you to build almost any function any other app has to offer all under your control. Just be warned Tasker is highly addictive for us nerds....
Anyway, and in summary, I have less trust is most banks selling my purchase history then the random app developer.... but that's just me.
First of all, I dont know if this is the right forum to post the thread.. Honestly I could not find a better place..
So.. I have an app idea but am nowhere near to an developer.. Though I understand basic Java, app development is a distant dream for me :silly:
...Its basically an app with which a user can plan out their evening... the whole idea is in a very rudimentary stage...
Now to my question:
How difficult is it to code an application which looks at Google Maps and Other Google Databases to get details such as
1. Movies running in the city with their timings
2. Restaurants in a location along with their timings and ratings.
And also is there any permissions to be acquired for this data retrieval from Google
I had been searching around for a good android app that could be used to assist in managing account. But so far I had found only this app called Wallet.
which is the best so far in my opinion. However, the subscription fees for that application is a headache.
I had tried Windows phone before and found a wonderful wallet app called money wallet.
If anyone tried the app before, there are features on the app such as(where the wallet app for android does not have) :
-unlimited account(paid version. cost less than $3 to use forever.)
-different account type setting and many modification can be made.
-create debt(will auto create a payment and separate them to the payback duration. interest rate and total amount set by you of course)
-and many other features
just wondering if there is any android wallet app out there that can match with the functionality or price of the money wallet app in windows phone. The only thing i don't like on the windows phone version is the UI(not colorful enough. XD). However, in term of functionality and pricing, it wins the android wallet app that i mentioned above many many times.
PS: newbie here. so cant post any link. You guys may search for the apps and download to try. Both of them has free edition to try out before buying.
Hello
I'm not a developer but I'm in the process of creating specifications to find a freelance developer to create an app that will be on the Play Store. =)
I'd like to have your insight to see if my application is "possible" regarding the compatibility of various smartphones under Android BUT ALSO regarding the rules imposed by Google for an application to be available on the Play Store.
I want to make an app where you enter the URL of a website, the app will crawl (background task) the site that can have 10,000 pages for example. And the app checks if there are dead links on the site (404 pages, sites that are no longer available etc.).
The app must therefore visit all the pages of the site entered by the app user, with his IP and from his device. It must make all these requests in the background throughout the day.
Does this seem possible ?
Does this sound acceptable to the Play Store rules ?
Do you think it's feasible on the vast majority of Android smartphone models in the world (Nokia, Oppo, Samsung...) ?
Thanks a lot for your help anyway