List of Android OS Apps on the Web

[Ed Hardy]

Some people, when they are considering getting a nerw device, want to know how many third-party apps there are available, and what types. The Android OS makes this slightly challenging because Google doesn't have a catalog of apps on the Web.

Fortunately, AndroLib.com is doing its best to offer one.

Its listing is broken down into groups, or you can search for an app you are looking for.

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[Hook]

Nice resource. Frankly, even with an Android device, I sometimes like searching for something on the web rather than on the phone, especially if I am not sure what I'm looking for.

Thanks, Ed.

[questionfear]

Doubletwist is also working to create a browsable list.

[Mi An]

Some people, when they are considering getting a nerw device, want to know how many third-party apps there are available, and what types. The Android OS makes this slightly challenging because Google doesn't have a catalog of apps on the Web.

That's an interesting omission. That was one of the things I did while researching my WinMo device, in addition to checking out the 3rd party sites, I went to MS's Marketplace site on the web.

I've bookmarked androlib and noted doubletwist. Good find, thanks.

[Varjak]

Wasn't this also the situation at the beginning for the iPhone? One needed iTunes to access the store, right? I think they only changed that and made the store browsable on the internet recently.

[Hook]

Wasn't this also the situation at the beginning for the iPhone? One needed iTunes to access the store, right? I think they only changed that and made the store browsable on the internet recently.

Can you browse iPhone apps without iTunes now? Not that I can see. (they have pages featuring a small collection of apps, but no browsable app store I have found.)

[JRakes]

I've not really paid that much attention to the app stores. Frankly, I've never had an interest in obtaining apps via a 30 second glance and OTA download, preferring to actually research what I'm looking for more extensively, then download to my PC so I can keep the installation files handy for later use.

And that leads to my question: Why don't most of the app stores offer a comprehensive, browsable catalog, available to anyone who wants to check it out? It seems silly, to me. They can yap all they like about "control" or "community" or whatever, but I'll never buy a device (or seriously consider one, for that matter,) for which I can't do thorough app research before deciding on a platform. I'd consider myself stupid to jump to a platform without having a clear migration path for my apps and data.

Just wondering...

[questionfear]

I've not really paid that much attention to the app stores. Frankly, I've never had an interest in obtaining apps via a 30 second glance and OTA download, preferring to actually research what I'm looking for more extensively, then download to my PC so I can keep the installation files handy for later use.

And that leads to my question: Why don't most of the app stores offer a comprehensive, browsable catalog, available to anyone who wants to check it out? It seems silly, to me. They can yap all they like about "control" or "community" or whatever, but I'll never buy a device (or seriously consider one, for that matter,) for which I can't do thorough app research before deciding on a platform. I'd consider myself stupid to jump to a platform without having a clear migration path for my apps and data.

Just wondering...

And that is why Doubletwist and Androlib are so awesome.

As far as downloading to your PC vs OTA, the issue there is piracy. With many apps, they're trying to simplify the process by eliminating the need for a license key. In order to do that, you install through the "official" marketplace, so they can make sure the version you are using is legit. You can back up your apps to your SD card, etc., but if you had the installer package on your PC you could share it with the world.

So your choices are either cumbersome license keys or OTA installs. It's easier for developers and consumers to go the OTA route, since it not only simplifies the process, it also means Google/Apple/someone has a record of the purchase in a central place.

[Hook]

I've not really paid that much attention to the app stores. Frankly, I've never had an interest in obtaining apps via a 30 second glance and OTA download, preferring to actually research what I'm looking for more extensively, then download to my PC so I can keep the installation files handy for later use.

And that leads to my question: Why don't most of the app stores offer a comprehensive, browsable catalog, available to anyone who wants to check it out? It seems silly, to me. They can yap all they like about "control" or "community" or whatever, but I'll never buy a device (or seriously consider one, for that matter,) for which I can't do thorough app research before deciding on a platform. I'd consider myself stupid to jump to a platform without having a clear migration path for my apps and data.

Just wondering...

And that is why Doubletwist and Androlib are so awesome.

As far as downloading to your PC vs OTA, the issue there is piracy. With many apps, they're trying to simplify the process by eliminating the need for a license key. In order to do that, you install through the "official" marketplace, so they can make sure the version you are using is legit. You can back up your apps to your SD card, etc., but if you had the installer package on your PC you could share it with the world.

So your choices are either cumbersome license keys or OTA installs. It's easier for developers and consumers to go the OTA route, since it not only simplifies the process, it also means Google/Apple/someone has a record of the purchase in a central place.

Actually, this system works very nicely, as I have just found out by doing a factory reset (always do that about 2 weeks in with a new device. I always want to know what happens). First of all, since your purchases are tied to your google account, you can actually install purchased apps to *any* Android device (I actually found where they tell you that in the Android Market help). So if I get a new Android device, log in and Bob's your uncle.

Researching apps is also not hard. In the market, they have reviews, screen shots and the web site of the developer. You can ether jump to the developer's site on the handheld or, as luddite Hook does, go to the devs site on my laptop, where I also google the app to find out more. The free Astro File Manager does a great job of backing up apps on the SD card where, if I could copy them to my PC.

While Android is not oriented to syncing with a PC, it is in fact easy to do with various methods. I'm pretty impressed so far, but Between OTA and SD back-up, I am getting less concerned about the local syncing.

[Magellan]

I think that for the most part the newer mobile OS's are looking to break completely from PC's. I like that I can browse the marketplace, install apps to try immediately, and if I like them, I keep them, if not, delete and try another one. It really reduces the research time which can be hit or miss anyway. I also like that you can see user reviews right from the marketplace which sometimes saves me from bothering with an install.