Google launches Android Market Browser Version

Finally Google launched also a browser based version of the market, that’s what I thought. Since they have the full access to market apps and data (they “own” it), they should have come out with a very powerful apps browser, right ? Unlike the other websites that build app catalogs using the market API (which gives you limited access only).

What we get is a slightly Web 1.0 style looking website with very limited browsing and searching capabilities. It is time for a search function that allows me to
a) exclude certain apps or titles
b) select the language. Chinese and Korean apps are of no use for me, sorry.

Why can’t I have a list view with 10,25 or 100 results ? Instead I need to click through pages with 12 apps, looking at meaningless apps logos. I rather would see a screenshot.

Android Market by Google (Web Version)

Android Market by Google (Web Version)

Android Market by Google (Web Version)

Remark: For now I stick to AndroidZoom (even there is advertising placed on the site)!

The first 7 days in the Android App Market

After 7 days of existence in the market, 28 user downloaded the application and 50% kept it.
Just learning more about the Android market physics, I updated the application to version 0.2 Beta.
Featured on AndroidZoom, Thanks ! Lets see if there is an impact.

CountRoid on AndroidZoom

I am keen to find out more about the backend of the market. How many applications in total, how many added per day/hour ? How many removed ? How many not being updated for time x ? Language distribution ? Who makes most applications (country) ? How many triggered as spam ?

You want to use the awesome CountRoid ? Point your phone here:

QR Code

You want to know how to create this QR code ?
Goto http://zxing.appspot.com/generator, select URL and enter market://search?q=pname:{your_packagename} (e.g. com.awesome.application). Download the image and print it on your car, T-Shirt, place it on your website or tattoo it on your forehead.

The first 24 hours in the Android App Market

I have a few concepts and ideas in mind for Android applications, some require more knowledge about the platform, some require a proper datasource and some require more time. But still I was very curious how the market works. I didnt want to add another Test or Hello World app to the market, because it is mere market spam. So what is the most simple app you could think of  ? A button that counts ! With a complexity level slightly above “Hello World”. Never mind, I created a 2-button counting app named CountRoid to learn about the physics of the market publishing process. I spare you the description how to do it, it is well documented and easy.

Just some observations:

• The new application immediately showed up as Just In under Tools, also on the market browser Androidzoom. A few minutes of fame being the first in the list.
• After 10 minutes another 20 applications showed up in front of me. One day later I cant find it anymore (after giving up scrolling down any longer).
• In the first few hours zero downloads (are we surprised ? You search for counter or count and you find dozens of more or less fancy counting apps)
• There are counting apps that cost money !
• After 24 hours 21 downloads ! How did they find it ? (we will never know). But from  a statistics point of view quite realistic. 300.000 new Android activation every day, so there is a chance someone comes across my app.

I need seriously start thinking about a roadmap for the app ! And if you are completely crazy about counting stuff, go ahead and search for countroid. Its free 1! And there will be no paid advanced version in the future. Unlimited counting !

Android Market

Countroid on Android Market

@ Androidzoom

After 24 hours

CountRoid Screenshot