One of the most important things that makes iPhone appealing for the end-user is the famous Installer. Although jailbreaking your device is not something Apple wants you to do, everyone does it, and it was one of the main reasons that iPhone became so popular.
An end-user who wants goodies for his phone does not know how to search online for applications, choose the best, download, copy, and install... Installer saves you this hassle by providing a one-stop location to download (virtually) any application you might want, using the iPhone itself, making it extremely easy for the user.
Is there a similar application for WM? If not, can't we start it XDA-Developers and build a general public repository for freeware applications to promote the applications of developers here in the forums and contribute the WM software community? The application would have to be widely advertised and not just included in custom ROMs by default, so that people who don't know how to install custom ROMs can get a copy of this application easily.
This is a proposal to the developers to start a new application, not a request for an already available one. I don't have the required development skills for it.
[Was this discussed before? Can't find a trace]
I agree!
Since the new 2.0 FW came out I have been using my iPhone again. I actually still prefer my Touch even with the new exchange support. The installer (app store and Cydia for now) on the iPhone is amazing. While I know how to install apps, think about the new WM user. If they had an installer program that could be downloaded and installed from a site (here?) and then have access to installing programs like S2U2, S2P, PCM Contacts, Keyboards, or even pay products like SPB MS, UL, etc. Potentially the program could also monitor for updates, so when A_C (the great!) comes out with a new update, the user would not need to be checking this forum and happen to see the thread with the update, it would be notified by the application on the device (when they launch the installer app). Skins could be available, the possibilities are endless - the iPhone has proven that.
As far as the application itself, I am no programmer, but it seems like it would be fairly easy to create a program that would look for a list of cab files on a website directory, download the list and allow the download and installation of the cab file. Yes, No?
I agree, this would be very useful. Currently I use Ubuntu Linux, and downloading and installing programs is this easy, because of repositories. I just search for a program using a package manager, and I'm given a list of programs that is relevant to my search. Then I simply have to click and install. I've seen this on the iPod touch, and it is very useful and quick
I just found that someone proposed a similar idea at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=396486.
However, the approach is not logical as someone has proposed using a thread filtering algorithm instead of creating an actual repository.
Anyway, isn't any developer interested?!
I was looking for something similar since ages. However, the best bet I think (in terms of ease of development) would be to setup a ppc-friendly website with freeware cabs available. Ofcourse, not an ideal solution but should do the trick. How about something like an AppStore for ppc devices ?
A web site won't serve the purpose. There are several web sites out there already. A Windows Mobile application will make it completely different. It can serve as a UI for a cab manager (much like *nix apt-get or other package managers: Installer, Cydia, App Store). The point is reaching the end-user through the phone, not a web site, not the PC.
z_rudy said:
A web site won't serve the purpose. There are several web sites out there already. A Windows Mobile application will make it completely different. It can serve as a UI for a cab manager (much like *nix apt-get or other package managers: Installer, Cydia, App Store). The point is reaching the end-user through the phone, not a web site, not the PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, even if someone managed to make such an app, in idea it would still be needing a working internet connection to download the cabs. So in a way it is as internet dependent as a website. However, I agree that such a software would be cool but difficult to develop.
Isn't one of the features of the installer app that users can add repositories from all over the place,but still have a unified interface at the end of the day? A website could not achieve that.
Surur
In the meantime why not set up an rss feed from eg: http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ and you are at least halfway there.
Skymarket - Windows Mobile app store coming “this fall”
http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=819
The answer
-removed- will announce full launch soon.
hmmm... isn't a wiki the easiest answer?
everyone can modify it and it has enough structure to make it as deep as folks want and search is built in.
and it can be quite fast on mobile if no graphics.
if I see itunes not wanting to start up every other week because there is another update, I'm going to simply uninstall it.
There is already an paa like this in our phones .. the MS version that does not do ****. if anything, all it would take is have it register the programs installed on the ppc, and have the ms version search for updates in the middle of the night while we sleep. the only thing though: the developers have to put a link for the updates in the about section. this would help MS update check those websites for updates, instead of having someone putt all the labor hours collecting cabs. the developers can do it them selves everytime they make an update just like posting it on a thread.
Unfortunately, MS does not have much on their website other than promotional advertising for their own product.
it will be hard work but very possible. considering all the custom roms out there, not many cabs can be installed with just a tap of the stylus. there will be dependency issues, memory issues, etc. but anyway, check out Device Update of CrC's roms for hermes. it's a small repo for his rom. cool, aint it?
gotvitamink said:
I agree, this would be very useful. Currently I use Ubuntu Linux, and downloading and installing programs is this easy, because of repositories. I just search for a program using a package manager, and I'm given a list of programs that is relevant to my search. Then I simply have to click and install. I've seen this on the iPod touch, and it is very useful and quick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly this.
Makes many things much easier.
I've been trying to create themes for the Market Home Alternatives (such as Panda Home, Open Home, aHome, etc) however, I'm a Graphic Artist, not a programmer. I know very little about Java and even less as to how its applied to Android and I need some help here.
I managed to figure out how to create an .apk in Eclipse (after many failures and problems) and even figured out how to sign it in Eclipse. The app installs fine on my device but it doesn't do anything. It will not apply to any Home Alts.
What I need to know is, what do I need to include to allow it to access these home alternatives. Is there something I must include in the Android Manifest? I noticed a some XML files when I looked into other peoples theme.apk's that aren't in mine.
Could someone explain this to me please? I would appreciate it greatly. Thanks in advance to anyone who drops a line.
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On another note, does anyone know why Jarsigner in the Java SDK wont open? When I try to open it, a command-like window opens and then immediately closes. Any ideas there?
I want to make an application for my phone, I have all the necessary programs to create an app. But I do not know the "language" used in the programs like eclipse. I'm assuming I have to learn the code but don't know where to start. Anybody have good sources for learning it?
There are a number of free lessons and tutorials on Java floating around out there. You may also want to check out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=667298. It has a lot of information that may be helpful in it.
Same here. Thx for the info!
Hey guys I was trying to load some java applets in my Evo and realized that Android does not support this feature. Though small in the larger scheme of things, I was wondering if there were any roms/mods to support this. I did some searching and didn't find anything on Androids end or mods. Thanks.
There's a program called JBlend for rooted Android phones that will allow you to run Java applications, is that what you're asking for?
Hi all,
I am interested in having a dabble in developing some simple pieces of software for Android phones, mainly for myself, but who knows?!
I have some experience in VB6 writing software so I was hoping to be able to get started quite easily... That seems not to be the case!
I have got stuck at what seems to be the first hurdle. I have installed the SDK Manager and it has downloaded, amongst other things, what I thought was the design package, but I have gone through the folders it has created and cannot find anything really. I was expecting some kind of development software to build the app but I must be missing something!
Are there any good, basic and simple tutorials on how to get setup? I'm sure once I get started i'll be OK!
I run Windows XP and will be developing mainly apps to be used on my Desire HD although would prefer it anything I did was compatible with other Andriod phones.
Thanks in advance.
Sounds like you don't have an IDE. Most android developers use Eclipse. Start here:
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/
Then follow the quick start guide here:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Spot on Gene, hadnt installed Eclipse, got it running now, followed a Hello World demo on Youtube and managed to get it to work on the emulator, im getting there!
Couple of questions more if I may?
- Is there not a design view, ie, object view so that I can place bits where I want them (buttons, text, etc...) I cant find wher eto chagne from design view to code view? Does that exist?
- How do I 'package' my newly designed app and send it to my phone to test it?
Many thanks again
I am new as well I was wondering what youtube video you were watching?
It was this one, this worked for me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COEhiTT1KLk&list=ULc2oQVGNKilQ&playnext=2
I've also been looking at starting some Android dev, having done some Windows Mobile dev with C#.
I've read the installing the SDK guide and it says that the ADT plugin doesn't work with Eclipse 3.6 and you have to use Eclipse 3.5, is this still the case or can I use 3.6?