Android Developers Blog

Market Housekeeping Alert

November 12, 2010 at 5:54 AM

We've had quite a bit of discussion in this space recently about how to make sure that your app is visible in Android Market to any device that can run it, and only to those devices. In particular, check out two recent pieces by Reto Meier, Future-Proofing Your App and The Five Steps to Future Hardware Happiness.
As Reto points out, Market used to infer some <uses-feature> settings for older apps that were uploaded before certain device features arrived. This hasn't been the case for applications uploaded since June of this year; developers have had to be careful about <uses-feature> and its android:required attribute. From what we see, it looks like most of you have got this sorted out and things are working smoothly.
However, there are still apps that haven't been re-uploaded since June. In preparation for introducing some new Market features (that we think you'll like), we're about to launch a re-scan of all those legacy apps, looking at their Android Manifests and updating Market's database. This means that if you have an app that you haven't updated since June, and it lacks up-to-date <uses-feature> settings, it may stop being visible on certain devices.
We think the set of apps that will have this problem will be small, if only since most successful apps are updated regularly. If you want to be sure, check Reto's advice here under "Android Market Rule #2".
We've said it before but it bears repeating: There are a lot of different sizes and shapes and flavors of Android devices in the product pipeline, and you want your app available on every one that can possibly run it. So this is an area that is going to be requiring attention from developers on a continuing basis.

Android Market Action

November 11, 2010 at 7:00 AM

Almost instantly after I joined Google, it became obvious to me that the number-one area where Android developers wanted to see action and progress was in Android Market; your concerns in this area vastly outweighed whatever issues might be bothering you about the handsets and the framework and the programming tools. In recent months there has been a steady, quiet, incremental flow of improvements and upgrades. They add up. This is by way of a glance back at developments since the arrival of Froyo last summer.
First, we introduced error reporting to Market, so developers can see if their apps are locking up or crashing; and if so, exactly where.
Second, we upgraded the Market publisher site to include user comments, so you can read what people are saying about you, or at least what they're saying in a language you understand.
Third, we added the licensing server, which, when used properly, tilts the economics of Android apps toward you, the developer, and against the pirates.
Fourth, we cranked up the number of countries people can buy and sell apps in: as of now, you can sell them in 29 countries and buy them in 32.

Fifth, we rolled in a "recent changes" feature, a place for developers to put their release notes. Android Market has a zero-friction process for app update, and the really great apps have followed the "release early, release often" philosophy. As a developer, I like having a place to write down what's behind an app release, and as a person who downloads lots of apps, I like to know what the goodies are in each new update.
Sixth, Market now has a "draft upload" feature; this removes a lot of the tension and strain from the app-update process. Get your screenshots and feature graphics and text and APK all squared away with as much editing as you need to, then update them all with one click.
You'll notice that I didn't say "Sixth and last", because this is a team on a roll and I expect lots more goodness from them; if you care about the larger Android ecosystem, or are already a developer, or are thinking of becoming one, stay tuned to this channel.