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Google's Android Market is crippling small development teams

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Google's Android Market is crippling small development teams

#21

Post by angryasian »

Everything you've pointed out are sort of known issues with the google market. Instead of complaining switch to Apple store and see if you do any better. To me this is almost a trolling rant, to ignite the Apple vs Android debate and possibly a marketing ploy. Theres been plenty of posts about successes in the Android market. I actually think you've done quite well on the Android Market.

Release your game on the Apple market and let us know how well you do trying to get traction or downloads there.

>We looked at the apps currently available on Google's Market and realized that there is a lack of quality applications with dedicated developers.

This is completely untrue, and stop spreading this FUD. Most developers support both platforms and there are plenty of high quality applications.

*edited to address rant of high quality apps.

Re: Google's Android Market is crippling small development teams

#22

Post by ydant »

sp332 wrote: post #14
iminay wrote: post #2

This is the problem with only having one source of apps on the android market. Sure there is amazon, but google won't allow users to install this without jumping through hoops. Even though Apple isn't much better, at least their app store treats developers fair (that is if you can get your app through the censorship board) Google needs to step up their game, or it will stop attracting quality developers. There is so…

google won't allow users to install this without jumping through hoops. Well, one hoop. Settings -> Applications, click the "Unknown sources" box. I think this just disables signature checking on .apk's or something.

Also the requirement the user interact with a system dialog for every application installation.

This isn't MUCH different from what market was not that long ago, but now that Google's market does seamless background updates, Amazon's at a bit of a disadvantage. Even updates require the user interact with the system dialog.

It's a small thing, but it does make a difference.

I expect Amazon to "fix" that with their phones coming out, since they will control the firmware. I'm actually surprised they haven't worked with ROM developers to get their market app trusted by the aftermarket ROMs, too.

Re: Google's Android Market is crippling small development teams

#23

Post by CCapigami »

angryasian wrote: post #21

Everything you've pointed out are sort of known issues with the google market. Instead of complaining switch to Apple store and see if you do any better. To me this is almost a trolling rant, to ignite the Apple vs Android debate and possibly a marketing ploy. Theres been plenty of posts about successes in the Android market. I actually think you've done quite well on the Android Market. Release your game on the Appl…

Things are pretty different in regards to application quality right now and when we released the first version of our application. Just wanted to share that.

Re: Google's Android Market is crippling small development teams

#24

Post by ssutch »

angryasian wrote: post #21

Everything you've pointed out are sort of known issues with the google market. Instead of complaining switch to Apple store and see if you do any better. To me this is almost a trolling rant, to ignite the Apple vs Android debate and possibly a marketing ploy. Theres been plenty of posts about successes in the Android market. I actually think you've done quite well on the Android Market. Release your game on the Appl…

It's not a game, it's a todo/shopping list that cost $5. It won't fair well on the Apple App Store as there are already 100's if not 1000's of those apps, many of which have been polished to a mirror finish.

Re: Google's Android Market is crippling small development teams

#25

Post by masklinn »

angryasian wrote: post #21

Everything you've pointed out are sort of known issues with the google market. Instead of complaining switch to Apple store and see if you do any better. To me this is almost a trolling rant, to ignite the Apple vs Android debate and possibly a marketing ploy. Theres been plenty of posts about successes in the Android market. I actually think you've done quite well on the Android Market. Release your game on the Appl…

> Release your game on the Apple market and let us know how well you do trying to get traction or downloads there.

Considering it's a shopping/todo list and the apple store is already filled to the brim with high quality software in that space (it's always been one of the most crowded spaces in the store), unless they have something very, very compelling to offer I can't see it do much.

Re: Google's Android Market is crippling small development teams

#26

Post by shareme »

CCapigami wrote: post #23
angryasian wrote: post #21

Everything you've pointed out are sort of known issues with the google market. Instead of complaining switch to Apple store and see if you do any better. To me this is almost a trolling rant, to ignite the Apple vs Android debate and possibly a marketing ploy. Theres been plenty of posts about successes in the Android market. I actually think you've done quite well on the Android Market. Release your game on the Appl…

Things are pretty different in regards to application quality right now and when we released the first version of our application. Just wanted to share that.

Have you considered going through android market/developer relations instead of general support?

If you google enough times you will find names and email and position titles(ie what areas of developer relations they handle) In fact there is a specific page listing all this stuff even..

Re: Google's Android Market is crippling small development teams

#27

Post by yalogin »

angryasian wrote: post #21

Everything you've pointed out are sort of known issues with the google market. Instead of complaining switch to Apple store and see if you do any better. To me this is almost a trolling rant, to ignite the Apple vs Android debate and possibly a marketing ploy. Theres been plenty of posts about successes in the Android market. I actually think you've done quite well on the Android Market. Release your game on the Appl…

He was probably talking about the quality of shopping list apps when they were surveying the various market places. Its not necessarily an indication of the situation now.

Re: Google's Android Market is crippling small development teams

#29

Post by tensor »

A brief look at the market shows that you have competitors. At the least, OI Shopping list appears to have a lot of downloads as well. Your app does show up in the side bar, and in the top free category.

This doesn't sound like a market problem so much as a business model issue. If one of the free apps does what people need, they won't pay for a $5.00 version, even if it's slightly prettier. Hell, a quick look at the Apple app store lists apps that range from free to $3.00. I'd suggest changing your business model.

Try in-app ads with a lower cost ad-free version (say $1). Or add features that are both extremely useful and hard to duplicate for a competitor that is working for free. Some ideas: GPS proximity alarm when passing a grocery store, or a tie in to a desktop client or website.

Re: Google's Android Market is crippling small development teams

#30

Post by guelo »

angryasian wrote: post #21

Everything you've pointed out are sort of known issues with the google market. Instead of complaining switch to Apple store and see if you do any better. To me this is almost a trolling rant, to ignite the Apple vs Android debate and possibly a marketing ploy. Theres been plenty of posts about successes in the Android market. I actually think you've done quite well on the Android Market. Release your game on the Appl…

Are you doing a reddit style performance based on your username? If so it is not funny or appropriate, if not I don't get why you're so aggressive and accusatory with your reply.
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