An app to determine if sideloaded apps are up to date? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So the context of my question. I have purchased a great many indie bundles over the year, Indie Gala, Groupees, Humble Bundle and now iKoid. Through these bundles I obtained quite a healthy selection of games across several platforms, including for many titles Android. Anyways I'm getting an Android gaming tablet for Christmas and was compiling up my selection getting an idea of what I have.
But upon closer inspection, some of the apk's provided by these providers are out of date. Now the bundle provider relies on the developer to update them, they don't chase, so if the developer forgets to send updated versions to the bundle providers then the only way to get it updated is for the end user (me) to notice and chase the bundle provider; who in turn will chase the developer. But my collection is big now and will only grow and keeping tabs on whether my version matches the market is going to be a pain.
So the question, is there an app that can compare my currently installed apk versions to the ones on the marketplace? I know I cannot update through the marketplace as they are paid apps that I've purchased by means other than Google, but utilising it as an indicator my apps are out of date would be very useful to me. I've done a hefty amount of searching and found nothing so if it doesn't exist then so be it, thought I'd at least ask before forsaking the possibility.

Related

[Q] New device, new binary?

Ok, I am looking at an online Android/iPhone app builder. They either offer the option to build one for free with unlimited downloads or you can pay yearly with different tiers for different download limits. The difference being that the free one has ads.
Anyways, when asked about just creating the app with their site, then hosting it on your own server and having everyone download it from there instead of paying the yearly fees, the site owner made this statement.
" my personal opinion in the long run you will pay more in this case because every time when apple releaes new iOS (like 6 now) or android has new phone (like samsung galaxy S 3 now) you will have to purchase new binary code from us that supports the latest updates/fixes."
Is this true? I don't see how each new device that comes out will require an update in your app.
Also, as stated, if you pay the yearly fee for the lowest amount of downloads, I assume they can only track downloads from Google Play or the Apple app store. I don't see any way they can track downloads from my own server hosting the .apk file. Anyone have any insight on this to correct me if I'm wrong?
For the record, I'm just looking to develop an app to play my Shoutcast Streaming audio station. I make no profit on the station, so have no capital to spend over $1K a year to have an Android and iPhone app. I mainly want to give it to my friends, and make it available to anyone who visits my Website. I really like the design that I did with this site, and am willing to pay something for it, just not worth $1K./year....
Anybody?
Have you tried installing the official Android Software Development Kit on your computer, and making the app yourself? You don't need to use an online service, and you choose exactly what gets compiled into the apk (ads, Google analytics, etc.).
post-mortem said:
Have you tried installing the official Android Software Development Kit on your computer, and making the app yourself? You don't need to use an online service, and you choose exactly what gets compiled into the apk (ads, Google analytics, etc.).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply.
I actually do have the SDK installed, and am looking into what it takes to make my own app. But, don't I have to know xml and Java to create apps using the SDK?
You do need to know those two languages.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
The Lepricon said:
But, don't I have to know xml and Java to create apps using the SDK?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That online service allows you to write apps without knowing xml or Java?
post-mortem said:
That online service allows you to write apps without knowing xml or Java?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's kind of like Appinventor, all visual, just assemble the parts and stuff.
It's nice, just kinda pricey. I once posted the job on freelancer.com and got offers for about as much as this company is asking, and with freelancer I would have owned the app afterwards.
But, again, it's kinda hard to foot the bill when it's a non profit app.
Ok, I'm off to learn XML and Java.......
Oh, almost forgot.... the original questions...
" my personal opinion in the long run you will pay more in this case because every time when apple releaes new iOS (like 6 now) or android has new phone (like samsung galaxy S 3 now) you will have to purchase new binary code from us that supports the latest updates/fixes."
Is this true? I don't see how each new device that comes out will require an update in your app.
Also, as stated, if you pay the yearly fee for the lowest amount of downloads, I assume they can only track downloads from Google Play or the Apple app store. I don't see any way they can track downloads from my own server hosting the .apk file. Anyone have any insight on this to correct me if I'm wrong?
any ideas anyone?
I think he means every time Google releases an update to Android (updated OS, not new device). So, for example, you build your app to run on Jelly Bean. But when Key Lime Pie comes out, your app may not work as expected on those devices running KLP. Then, you'd have to pay them to recompile your app with updated binaries, or risk losing market share.
If your app is really simple and would run fine on Android 2.2 and up, then that "purchase new binary" thing is not applicable.
But, hell, if you're willing to learn XML & Java... go for it!

[Q] An Android Gingerbread App not working in later versions

Hi friends,
I need advice on a pressing issue I am facing right now about an android app I got developed through a freelancer.
I am webmaster of a website for numerology enthusiasts. On this website, we were offering a numerology calculator (basically a combination of html pages with some javascript embeded - all compiled in an .exe format) Later, on some suggestions, we decided to prepare an Android version of this tiny program by hiring a programmer of South India. It was 2011 and the Gingerbread was the prevalent Android platform. The programmer created the App and we published it on Android Market where it is still available on playstore (search for com.namecalculator.lite on playstore and the first result 'Your Lucky Name' is the app in question.)
The problem is that this was an app which was not compatible with the later version of Android. As such, after sometimes, when the ICS version of Android was launched, the app stopped working for ICS devices. As of now, except for some old Android devices, this App is useless.
When I contacted the guy who originally developed this App, he told that the source file of the Apps were not saved by him and as such, he expressed his inability to do anything about it. He told me that if I again wanted him to develop the app for later versions of Android (like ICS, Jellybean etc), I will have to pay him the full development fee as he will have to start again from scratch.
Since my website is only a hobbyist website with negligible revenue, it was not possible for me to again hire this programmer just to develop an upgraded version of the app.
As of now, a very popular part of my website (the app) has become unavailable for its intended users. In this background, I want guidance on the following:-
(1) If an App is already built for an earlier Android version, does making it compatible with future/latest version of Android require the same amount of energy and effort which was needed when the app was developed the first time?
(2) Since the App in question is basically a compilation of html files with some javascript embeded in some pages, will it be really difficult to reconstruct the app if the source file of earlier app has been lost ?(I still have the raw html pages with me)
(3) I am not a programmer but have experience of web-designing, creating blogs etc. Can I self taught myself to create the above mentioned app by reading and following the online tutorials ? If yes, what in your opinion is the expected time an average learner (with no programming background) can do it? Also kindly point me to some good tutorials.
(4) Any other advice on the above issue some of you might be having ?
Regards
Eklavya

NEW - Learn and monetize your uninstalls

Hi, we are launching a new platform to allow app and game developers to get real time user feedback and monetize with every game uninstall. So, hold your breath…OR…
If you prefer to get an earlier test drive, we are opening a limited BETA for developers. Drop us a line and tell us how many daily uninstalls you have and let us know if you are interested to take part in the BETA or if you have any other question. Our email is: [email protected]
Happy New Year!
Ben
ben910 said:
Hi, we are launching a new platform to allow app and game developers to get real time user feedback and monetize with every game uninstall. So, hold your breath…OR…
If you prefer to get an earlier test drive, we are opening a limited BETA for developers. Drop us a line and tell us how many daily uninstalls you have and let us know if you are interested to take part in the BETA or if you have any other question. Our email is: [email protected]
Happy New Year!
Ben
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How exactly are you monetizing uninstalls? Wont that be very annoying for the user? First they hate my app and don't want it, and then they need to watch some type of ad too? Doesn't sound like a good way to get good reviews...
Exactly my thoughts
Uninstall Monetization
$$$$$$$$$
Actually find a new way wanted your opinion about.
I have my flag app with over 1M install called Signal Boosters (Fred Baker)
I was trying to monetize creating my own offerwall and taking offers from the networks, long story, that didn't really hit the jackpot for me.
I had a huge problem of uninstalls (70%) since the walls didn't really work so I got really interested in the uninstall event and how to capture it.
Over a year I was able to capture the uninstall event using and launch a browser at the moment of uninstallation without leaving any traces or processes running on the devices afterwards (no trojans or anything that gets you banned)
(I saw some very popular and known apps use this implementation to survey the users that uninstalled and that was my inspiration)
I wasn't sure how to use it without pissing off someone and if it's actually allowed so I integrated it in my app and never talked to anyone about it.
A month ago or so I came across a company called APPJOLT doing exactly that.
I registered and entered their dashboard and saw they developed a whole system around this technique with the purpose to offer your users an incentive to come back to your app or cross-promote to other apps.
They have an option for free cross-promotion campaign so it hit me right away I can use their system with a CPI offer I took for my offerwall from one of the networks, so at the moment of uninstall it will show the offer and I will get paid for it.
I couldn't believe it but it worked, I see almost 1K uninstalls a day and generate around 70 conversions which generates $30-50 a day.
Not sure if I hit gold or not, just wanted to ask the members of this forum how can I improve this flow? or am I missing anything?
$$$$$$$$$
Please be aware that it might be against google policy. There is no notification about that your app has been uninstalled (or the uninstallation started), so they use background service that checkes if the user is currently trying to uninstall your app. Also, the earnings reported here are very high (eCPM $30 - $50), while ad networks pay usually between $1 - $3 for interstitial ads, I don't think you can get such high eCPM for uninstallations, I would expect something at least 10x lower.
Cool idea but it's hard to make it practical and implement it. So, how exactly are you monetizing from uninstalls I wonder..
I can guaranty you that you will get A LOT of 1 star. I will for sure install the game again just to give it 1 star.

Android Dynamic Delivery outside of the play store

Hello everybody,
I want to implement Android dynamic delivery of features (Android app bundle) outside of the play store.
Basically, I want my app to not be present on the play store and would be a great thing to have features divided into modules which users will request (and install once) only when one is needed for the first time, but from what I see (3 days of digging), dynamic delivery is only feasible through the play store which will distribute a module/feature once it is requested.
Since the application is available only to my company's employees, in addition to security reasons, I need it to be kept outside of the play store and I would build the tool for distributing modules to the ones that request them (that's not a problem).
I am here asking if anybody did something outside of the box like this. I would like to avoid loading .dex files at runtime because the dynamic-delivery solution seems more stable since it is developed by Android.

HP Elite X3-New owner trying to install non MS Apps

My android died on me over the weekend and I picked up an Elite X3 off marketplace from a developer that used it to test apps. I admit that I did not research windows phones prior to purchase. I looked at the specs and the price and knew I needed to replace my phone for work so I pulled the trigger.
Its a nice phone but annoyed with how many apps I didn't have access to through windows. My online experience runs heavily through google apps and services. I have my RSA App for work which is good but I'm missing my usual social media and entertainment apps that keep me sane driving through weekday traffic to work and back. I saw several examples of developers adding apps to the phone by installing APK files but so far have been unable to replicate their processes.
I know there is a ROM of the older version that allowed for APKs to be installed but some of the instructions I have found have been a little unclear and seem to only be made for Lumia phones.
If there are HP Elite X3 users here with more experience and knowledge I would appreciate some assistance. Not trying to do a lot just add some apps. I work Helpdesk IT and not a developer. Although I don't have the extensive deeper knowledge many of you guys have, I can follow instructions well.
Thank you guys ahead of time for any help you give me.

Categories

Resources