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Guys and gals,
This year’s Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine Best Software Awards ( http://www.pocketpcmag.com/awards/ ) is getting near. I, being the Nominations Manager for the Awards, would like to invite you ALL to participate in it, regardless of whether you’re a developer or “just” a user of them.
If you’re a developer, it’d be REALLY great if you could enter the apps you’ve written in the Smartphone & PPCMag Encyclopedia ( http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_enc/cat.asp?cat=2&name=Software ; you can add new entries there too). It’s free and, then, in addition to your having your app listed in the list, it’ll be far easier for me to nominate it for the Awards if I deem it worthy enough. In the last two years, I spent DAYS of chasing down developers of top (freeware) titles like Qmail and Pocket GBA in order to being able to nominate them. I would prefer NOT having to waste so much time at contacting developers this year and asking them to enter their titles in the Encyclopedia – I have better and more productive things to do.
Being listed in the Encyclopedia, your stuff will also get far more exposure outside XDA-Devs and other “geek” sites as well.
Just like with last year, don’t think a free app can’t compete with commercial stuff out there. For example, VITO CopyPaste, Opera Mini, fring, Emu42, Google Maps Mobile, Orb, Qmail, My Mobiler, Mobipocket Reader, PHM Plus!, FuseSP etc. were all finalists, GB-SOFT Tweak, CastCE, Emu48, ScummVM, LogMeIn (Free), most of masterall’s emulators etc. were winners. Top-notch freeware titles like Dotfred’s PIM Backup or TaskMgr or Vijay555’s VJFullscreenTSC were also nominated (albeit didn’t win / become a finalist because of the very strong competition in the same category).
If you’re “just” a user of these apps, you’re also VERY strongly asked to nominate your favorites, should they not already be nominated. As a rule of thumb, all of the last year’s nominated titles are automatically re-nominated, unless there’re radical changes – for example, new titles – in the given category necessitating the un-nomination of the (comparatively) weakest titles OR the given title hasn’t been discontinued in the meantime. You can see the list of these apps – that is, the 2007 nominees / finalists / winners – at http://www.pocketpcmag.com/awards/category_all_2007_newquery.asp .
I don’t want to leave any decent, new utility I may have overlooked not nominated. With the current rate new apps and tools are released here at XDA-Devs, I just can’t keep up with all the new versions / releases, no matter how hard I try. (And I have a LOT of other things to do – for example, I’m working on a Digital TV and CDMA Bible, concentrating on a lot of EE stuff and also preparing a major speech at a W3C conference on mobile Web browsers, leaving me little time testing all the new XDA-Devs-originating stuff.)
(Also see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=300200 for my 2007 announcement – it’s a bit outdated tough.)
Remarks / comments / recommendations are welcome!
Awesome. I'm excited about this. These awards always help me find new/interesting titles to toy with.
Apart from what's on your list already, and in terms of eloquence and overall usefulness, I love the PocketCM Keyboard, and I use it all the time. In terms of functionality, I like that new Internet Connection Sharing Control (http://cleanimport.xda/index.php?threads/377047/) program. It's still in development, but the idea of it is great: finally an all-in-one utility for handling all of the various Internet sharing configurations. As far as I know, it's also the first program to let a user use their phone as a wifi adapter.
I personally think that Schaps Advanced Config is the most usefull program for what I do, but I'm not entirely sure what kind of programs are within the scopes of this...
+1 l3v5y
And for the best suite of programs, A_Cs S2 series win every time although they're not the most innovative programs in that they are just trying to copy the iPhone....
Hi Everyone,
I need to add a few points to Werner's (Menneisyys) post. (I am the owner of Smartphone and Pocket PC magazine and in charge of the awards).
First, as you might have guessed, the quality of our category structure and to a large extent the nominees is directly due to Werner's incredible efforts.
I asked Werner to get started ASAP, and his response naturally was to post here. However, as you will see we aren't as ready as we might be.
At www.PocketPCmag.com are in the middle of a conversion of data from our current rich but hodgepodge of a site, mostly written in ASP. We are moving to a cleaner, more uniform look using the Drupal Content Management System.
Because of timing, we decided to do the awards and leave the encyclopedia of software and accesssories in our current (ASP) system for now. Then probably when nominations are frozen in July we'll switch over.
However, we REALLY need to update the input form for vendors.
It looks like we'll have to do that in ASP. We are juggling a lot, and we can't commit to updating the form until at the latest, May 1.
So, the ideal from Werner and my side, would be to at least make sure your products are in the db now. Then everyone can update their information as soon as I give the OK here.
THANKS and good luck.
A_C's s2u2, s2p, s2v
xxza said:
A_C's s2u2, s2p, s2v
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Totally Agree
marshj05 said:
Totally Agree
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Nothing comes near.
Thanks guys for the feedback.
I've (being the author of several networking & hacking-related tutorials & hacks) already played a bit with CSC but still haven't had the time to test it in all possible configurations / on all my WinMo devices. Will definitely post a detailed review / evaluation on it and also nominate it for this year's Awards. (Preparing for a W3C speech, in addition to preparing my next Bibles, takes a LOT of time and work so I can't really test new software right now...)
BTW, at the General forum, there's a Dev Awards thread ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2100268 ); I'm thinking of in some way combining it with the Smartphone Mag awards structure before May.
BTW 2, speaking of last year's nominees and categories, feel free to comment on them too - what other titles would you see nominated? I prefer open discussions like this to PPCMag's (closed) user nomination system because a lot of people can chime in the discussion, making the nomination process as democratic as possible. (While, of course, I reserve the right to have the final word in nomination ).
Yeah A_C's programs are sooooo awesome!
Besides already mentioned pprgrams, i'd also add MortButtons and ThumbCal (still a beta, but already usable) to nominated applications.
Also, Mollusk's great (mostly free) games sure deserve a nomination (www.xFlib.net)
S2U2, S2V, S2P by A_C +1 for those, and I'd like to add Emunutz for his HTC HomeCustomizer and Chi Tai Dang for Battery Status
I would like to nominate Slither2006's SCLPC++ cube. It is a fantasticly useful tool in its present form and with the changes that he has stated will be in the next version, I really think that it deserves consideration. It may just be a retrofit for older PDA's, but for the vast amount of older models out there, it gives a new lease on life.
Hi,
for me....
S2U2, S2V, S2P by A_C
BYE, Bobo
S2U2, Batterystatus, PocketCM, PCM Keyboard
For me
romualdrichard said:
S2U2, Batterystatus, PocketCM, PCM Keyboard
For me
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Yup, BatteryStatus was one of the apps last year I specifically contacted the author of to be able to nominate his app - a really excellent one!
Thanks for the other suggestions.
Flipside said:
S2U2, S2V, S2P by A_C +1 for those, and I'd like to add Emunutz for his HTC HomeCustomizer and Chi Tai Dang for Battery Status
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See above - one of my most prioritized tasks was tracking down him and nominating his stuff last year. And, thanks for the suggestions
mr_deimos said:
Also, Mollusk's great (mostly free) games sure deserve a nomination (www.xFlib.net)
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Wowz! Thanks for mentioning them! I think I'll write a dedicated article on them - I love small "retro" games like these. (Ever seen N.I.'s Retro Games pack?)
s2U2, S2V and S2P
All 3 are Great!!
Ok... I know I'm not one of the elite here, but I've been a PPC Admin creating custom ROMs with kitchens for a number of devices for the last 4-5 years. I love this site and everyone here has done an excellent job developing for our devices, but its time we organize this site to make it easy for noobs to get involved in our world. The big problem I see when I try to help people get into WinMo is that its really hard for them to find the right apps and previews of what is possible to do. The biggest complaint I have from friends who use this site is that there are often different threads for the same app and often they download the older version by mistake. I also see what happens to developers like A_C who have their apps ripped off and sold as a "bundle of freeware apps". Its wrong and I'd hate to see him or any of the other developers not get credit for their hard work.
So here is what I'm proposing... Why don't we create an app store right here where free and for pay apps can conveniently and easily be searched and organized. We could even setup rss feeds for the different applications so people could be notified when a new version or even a update to the thread has occurred. I know Microsoft is coming out with their app store, but come on. when have they gotten anything right for a community at this level of capability right at the start?
Either way.. I think it would be a great idea for us to build this and expand the Win Mo community. Thanks everyone for your hard work.
Feel free to comment.
Using RSS from a new sub-forum that XDA could setup would allow a dev to pull the threads and information. If they're formatted properly before submitted to the App Store forum, the first post in the thread could be App's description and preview including any youtube previews. The second post would have the cab file.
There would also be a string of text in the first post which would define device compatibilities so Raphael users don't try and download Kaiser specific software and vice-versa
A pre-approval process would take place in a seperate forum and PPC veterans and forum senior members could assist in evaluating the posts as well as the software?
I see a more community based solution in this idea. Very nice. BUT.. will it happen? I'm no longer in the programming side of the biz, but if someone could come up with an app that would take the RSS from a forum, I could setup a test forum on a site I run just for proof of concept. Anyone interested?
Sounds like a great idea! I think a forum isnt the best solution for the matter but at least there would be some kind of order...
(App2Date support for more programs would be helpful then as well)
I only say forum because this database is already in place, easily tweaked (I run a few vBulletin sites so I know how easy it can be) and the authors can update their applications easily without having to reinvent the wheel from the ground up. With the proper required fields we could easily organize everything nicely
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=488610
okay that sounds better.. im not experimenting with forums much
is is possible to filter things then? i cant really picture it
when i look for an app i always download all available of a kind (e.g. 5 minesweeper) and in the end not even 1 works ^^
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=480476
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=436127
why not have 3 more...
i think before u can update ur apps u first need 2 download them... and in order to do that u need to find them first and thats what this thread is mainly about
have u ever heard about apple app store? its not about selling devices whatsoever but to FIND SOFTWARE (easily)
Yep, there are a few being built already, but maybe a more "Official" one would get more development and community support?
Here's another one too: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=471576
I'd really like to see one of these Appstore ideas to also track UI customizations. I can't tell you the number of hours I've spent reading through hundreds of posts to find the perfect SPB Mobile Shell UI... lol.
I have tried all of the above mentioned 'portals' and I use DeviceUpdate, but it's the same 97 or 98 apps! This would be a direct tie-in to this site. Developers could submit their apps to the community for approval and they'd be moved into the proper section of the app 'vault' and would instantly be available in the Mobile Application which would generate its list via a direct RSS of the App Vault forum..
Why create a new database and userbase when XDA's is already so huge?
I second, third and forth this request. XDA dev's deserve a store for app releases and use the forum as a dev/feedback forum.. Vbulletin can only do so much... If revenue sharing is the major hurdle I would hope the webmaster can work out an agreement with the devs who want to submit apps. Another hurdle could potentially be copyright infringements.. Unofficial ROM's and other promoted/sold "clone-apps" could bring unwanted publicity to the site. This simple chaotic forum might be the perfect element to keep XDA under the corporate radar and safe from hungry lawyers.
norkoastal said:
I second, third and forth this request. XDA dev's deserve a store for app releases and use the forum as a dev/feedback forum.. Vbulletin can only do so much... If revenue sharing is the major hurdle I would hope the webmaster can work out an agreement with the devs who want to submit apps. Another hurdle could potentially be copyright infringements.. Unofficial ROM's and other promoted/sold "clone-apps" could bring unwanted publicity to the site. This simple chaotic forum might be the perfect element to keep XDA under the corporate radar and safe from hungry lawyers.
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I disagree that 'vbulletin can only do so much'.. XDA-Developers.com even uses a basic 'stock' theme.. this site isn't customized very much and is a very basic implementation of the software. An app on the phones that pull the information from a sub forum of this site could load up previews, videos and the download links. If you want to add in 'dontation' links, that's also possible, but I think that's better left to PCs.
I agree that staying 'under the radar' is essential, but being able to access all of the software that can greatly improve your device from anywhere at a moments notice is key... I'm currently browsing to a forum on my phone to get a piece of software and it's taking at least 3 minutes to do it when I can get there in less than 10 seconds on the PC.. put this stuff in an app and I won't even need the PC other than to find the dev and discussion threads....
I see vBulletin in a different light from just a chat enabler.. but it might be because I know the back end so well.
l3it3r said:
I disagree that 'vbulletin can only do so much'.. XDA-Developers.com even uses a basic 'stock' theme.. this site isn't customized very much and is a very basic implementation of the software. An app on the phones that pull the information from a sub forum of this site could load up previews, videos and the download links. If you want to add in 'dontation' links, that's also possible, but I think that's better left to PCs.
I agree that staying 'under the radar' is essential, but being able to access all of the software that can greatly improve your device from anywhere at a moments notice is key... I'm currently browsing to a forum on my phone to get a piece of software and it's taking at least 3 minutes to do it when I can get there in less than 10 seconds on the PC.. put this stuff in an app and I won't even need the PC other than to find the dev and discussion threads....
I see vBulletin in a different light from just a chat enabler.. but it might be because I know the back end so well.
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All valid points, but if the webmaster has no desire to expand this sites complexity, who are we to say add this n that when we are typing on a yellow/brown forum with minimal VB enhancements (no knock to XDA ).
What I see working is XDA allow a spin-off site which is the visual/functional app paradise we all crave.. The alter ego of Cydia and the evil empire. All discussion/dev related questions feed to their respective XDA threads. XDA mods can then port the data to XDA-apps when they feel the release is deemed safe. Developers who want more press/ad exposure pony up $$, and can then charge for more fully functioning software... I dont think anyone doesn't want an app store, its will you get official XDA muscle behind it?
There's a way to charge for threads, so if people want to sell the apps, they need to buy a premium spot for it on the XDA App listing.. *boom!* XDA is interested!
If a spin-off site is required, then that's cool, I'd be really interested in assisting with it. It would be possible to use the same user database.
Thanks everyone for opening feedback on this topic. I think we should look further into finding a way to make this happen. Any volunteers? l3it3r and Norkoastal have done a good job in taking the lead on this so far. How do you feel about making it happen Norkoastal andl3it3r's?
I would recommend getting some official support from XDA before beginning to compile resources for this effort. I really think there should be input from the owner/mods here who want to see this happen, & also get their take on maintaining the upkeep of this proposed rollout. I would be glad to throw my two pesos in, but wouldn't want to step on any toes or other efforts already in process, namely gecko..
I will be releasing a new more complete version of this very soon. Its a freewarepocketpc.net client working off the existing database online.
That's sweet! I use fwppc all the time because it's easy to navigate on the phone. I still think that XDA is the #1 name in Windows mobile development and that we could truly shine, but what if we were able to come up with a publicly agreed standard for thread creation down to the descriptions and layouts. Could you tie in an RSS feed from an XDA forum into that?
That's exactly what I was thinking l3it3r. A standardization for this site that is just setup for apps. If rss feeds were tied into it anyone could build an app that could go out and find the latest updates for their subscribed applications. Noobs wouldn't know about the applications used for downloading apps, but would know generally how to view a web forum. Its all about making it easier for the noobs to get interested in exploring the capabilities of WM and not to intimidate them. A good standardization of the layout would go a long way to expanding the user base and increase interest in our work.
What do you guys think?
With all things considered, I think it is better if this is done as a separate site as Napbree has done for finger friendly apps (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=380748).
So if any legal issues should arise or site adjustments/enhancements that needs to be made, it can be dealt independently from XDA. This also can bring apps from other places into attention that isn't developed within XDA.
For a long time now I have been wondering when Microsoft's Marketplace for mobile would be finished. Sadly after reading much of the material posted by developers I'm getting the idea the it might not catch on as well as Microsoft hoped. Paying $99 USD per app per year to publish a free app is insane. You would have to be a marketing genius to convince people to donate enough money to cover the cost for you. Other than the current special of 1-5 apps for $99 I don't see this as a viable way to spread freeware applications to the masses. So in turn I have been looking for a way to create a market where free apps can be published and download on a fast reliable server for FREE. I know there are already many apps that have this idea but my spin on it would be to allow apps to be sold as well. Using open source shopping carts like oscommerce would make this a possible idea. There would be no charge to the seller. The shop would be completely funded on donations. Luckily, I already have a host but I would need support from coders and developers to make this come true.
So far, I need someone to code a payment module to allow oscommerce to set each individual pay app to its respective developer's paypal account. So when you choose the app you want and continue to pay for it, the money will go directly to the developer. Like Microsoft, a simple little app or link in the program files can route people to the site so anyone can download and buy on the fly. Seems simple enough right? I have a test shop where I am trying to put up a live demo so that developers would be more inclined to publish their apps when they see my idea in action. I'm still not done with it as I also have another project that I am getting paid for. You will see the site go down and up a lot till I am comfortable with the layout and stability.
I really need some input on this. Do you think that this could actually work and would you support if it became a reality?
sure.... I will put my apps on the server if this becomes a reality
good work and I hope to see this soon!
I'm working with a site called freewarepocketpc.net right to write a client (currently for the freeware side) but also could contain the shareware/paid apps. Creating your own database AND program is not something that you can take on in your free time
joel2009 said:
I'm working with a site called freewarepocketpc.net right to write a client (currently for the freeware side) but also could contain the shareware/paid apps. Creating your own database AND program is not something that you can take on in your free time
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I agree. This would be difficult to do but im going to try and see this through.
hey all, ive been browsing these forums for quite a while. and i found tons of useful things, and tons of people *****ing about the thingss they dont understand.
id like to consider myself somewhat knowageable... nothing like the developers, but no dummy....
however i am looking for a way to get apps/games for the HD2... free things, things to pass time as i did on my last phones. is there a website, or a thread i havent found.... ive searched already.
can anyone send me off in the right direction???
thank you in advance!
Aside from the forums, and Windows Marketplace ( ), there's Omarket http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/omarket/
sweet, yeah i know the marketplace, but theres nothing worth what they are asking... but yeah ill check that out. i appreciate it! thanks daemonfly
And check out the place that omarket is listed at too, http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/
Google Windows Mobile Games and you will see tons.
If you are willing to pay for them www.handango.com is a slick site too.
Three out of the last four fridays, Handango has given away a free app which is usually only sold for a fee. Worth a look.
thanks guys, ill check them out. you guys are awesome...
happy hunting
http://hd2apps.blogspot.com/search/label/HD2 Apps
Check out Xtrakt and Experiment 13 - They were Sony Ericsson commissions for the Xperias, and are the best games I've come across for native WinMo (so excluding emulators) . Also, there's a pretty good port of Doodle Jump in French on Omarket. Think it's the Blackberry version, since it's touch controlled rather than G-sensor, but pretty awesome nonetheless.
How can I increase downloads on my application without paid promotion? Here is the link https <Remove this space> ://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.random_messenger.android&hl=en
Alexhudson623 said:
Simply just try to offer good and quality apps for users or for website design service[/url] site owners. People do really appreciate good apps. I would like to share an example of the game app Candy crush which is doing just amazing and there are millions of users for this game app for now. And hundred and thousands of downloads have been made. People just love good apps. If you are making great then obviously you'll get liked by every one and the downloads will also increase which is a white hat technique.
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Really? You are saying that just make your game and people will find it if it's good enough? Maybe that was true some years ago, but certainly nowadays it's completely wrong. Optimize your keywords to be shown in relevant searches is one of the keys (ASO), but unfortunately not the only one. Spread the word in alternative channels is also necessary... but it isn't enough neither. Actually, get users without spend tons of dollars in advertising is quite a challenge. I really would like to hear some advices from someone who have experience in this.
By the way, JeanPierreQC, your idea is quite good, but I'm afraid there's many apps which do exactly the same, anyway cool idea, it's a pity you need a lot of users to make it work.
With patience
Unless you get very lucky there is no any simple way to get users fast. The market places are very competitive. Market you apps in social media and internet forums, get all your friends and relatives download your apps. Make many apps that draw users to your other apps. Make so great app that somebody wants to become your partner and does the promotion for you. Simple things like the signature banner below this message can make the difference in the long term.
try to implement the ASO to trigger the app installs
Don't forget that download alone isn't enough. you need the users to be engaged. Having thousands of downloads will not give you higher ranking if everyone simply uninstall it immediately. So be aware from pay per install plan where the users has insensitive to perform the installation. At the end of the day, your app needs to be able to keep the customers with you.
ASO is imho a bit overrated. Having relevant keywords and a nice looking icon and screens, and stuff like that, is simply common sense to me. As long as you have that you have good enough ASO really. ASO isn't some secret trick to get thousands of daily downloads like some people seem to think. There are no secret tricks for that.
To get a lot of download you need to put in A LOT of work, and/or A LOT of money. And have a really good app of course.
Anyway, I good idea that has worked very well for me is localising. If you can't localise your entire app you can at least localise the app description. Adding a few more "big" languages for my app description have almost doubled my downloads, even though the app itself is in english only. It's also cheap as you can get translations for $5 each on fiverr. Sure you won't know how good they are for that little money, but it's basically no money spent and it's probably a lot better than google translate at the very least.
If you are sure that your app is engaging enough for users then try to put as many sharing options as possible within you app like fb,whatapp,twitter. this can boost your downloads.
digibligames said:
Anyway, I good idea that has worked very well for me is localising. If you can't localise your entire app you can at least localise the app description. Adding a few more "big" languages for my app description have almost doubled my downloads, even though the app itself is in english only. It's also cheap as you can get translations for $5 each on fiverr. Sure you won't know how good they are for that little money, but it's basically no money spent and it's probably a lot better than google translate at the very least.
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Hi,
Pretty interesting and good suggestion.
Could you please share some stats or further experiences about with v.s. without localising
Have you tried PR to push your app?
There's a blog post called "State of App Promotion" that you should check out. Can't post the link because I'm a new user, but just search for "DecisiveAds" on Twitter. It's pinned to the profile. Good luck!
AAP -Android App Promotion
Try AAP - Android App Promotion app on playstore as they provide free download exchange services where you download an app and your app gets downloaded in return .You can see the results in daily reports and take appropriate measure while doing so .
I checked the AAP - The idea is good, but the app has only 1 thousand installs, probably no more than 300 active, that means using this app I can drive maximum 300 installs - not serious promotion. Additionally, it is not clear, how google will consider this way of promotion - legitimate or not? So, taking a risk for few more installs worth?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Hi,
Insensitive install is quiet good for new app, because google don't care too much about uninstall for the first month of launch. Many big company also use insensitive install. But link building, website review, user review, how often user come back to you app is also really important.
dandev99 said:
Don't forget that download alone isn't enough. you need the users to be engaged. Having thousands of downloads will not give you higher ranking if everyone simply uninstall it immediately. So be aware from pay per install plan where the users has insensitive to perform the installation. At the end of the day, your app needs to be able to keep the customers with you.
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Sorry but this is so wrong...
Having thousands of VALID downloads will boost your rankings even if 900 of them uninstalled it a day later. I'm writing from experience and not guessing
website promotion
The ultimate goal of search engine promotion is to increase sales. The more people see the site in high positions in the issue, the more people it visits and theoretically can become your customers. In order for a seo to produce results, it is necessary that the site be properly optimized using tools for a technical audit of the site and its analysis on parameters such as links, content and others.