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Google Play Developer Console gets a major injection of new features

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by Spencer McClendon on
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Google I/O 2013 keeps churning out awesome new additions to services they offer, and the Google Play Developer Console is no exception either. As you can see in the picture above, the service includes Optimization Tips, App Translation Service, Usage Metrics & Referral Tracking, Revenue Graphics and the most applauded, Beta Testing & Staged Rollouts. All of these services are intended to help developers make better apps. App Translation helps users see were there app is used the most. If the developer see that his app is being used in Russia, however the app isn’t translated into Russian, the new service can help in that area.

As I stated earlier, Beta Testing & Staged Rollout got the most reception from the group at I/O. The service is just what the name suggests. Developers will now be able to rollout better apps in the form of betas as well as getting updates to them faster. Revenue Graphs allow developers track where they are making most of their money from, whether it be in-app purchases or the app itself.

Stay with us as we try to bring you all the info for these new features, as Google I/O progresses over the next few days.

 

Google Play developers now able to reply to user reviews

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by Aditya Thawardas on
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In line with Google’s priority of strengthening communication between developers and their users, they have given developers the ability to reply to user reviews via the Google Play Developer Console. Responses by developers will appear publicly below the  original comment in the Play Store. Once a developer replies to a user’s comment, the user will receive an email and can then either reply to the developer directly by email, or update their review.

Back in November, Play Store reviews became integrated with Google+, with the goal of less anonymity leading to higher quality comments. Today’s update strengthens communication a step further. It’s a feature that’s long overdue and should help improve app development.

Source: Android Developers Blog

Ready for a Change? Switch to the New Google Play Developer Console Now

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by Jason Bracey on
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The latest Google Play Developer Console is out of beta, and is now the default version. The new console brings with it:

  1. Improvements to the publishing flow: Making it more streamlined and easier to use.
  2. Adds more languages to the store listings with new language-specific graphics: Ensures users around the world understand what your app is about.
  3. New graphs:  Let you track your ratings over time. You can even break them down by device, country, app version, and more.
  4. Enhanced statistics page: Shows when you released each version of your app so you can see how each new version changes your installations and ratings. You can also view crash information specific to an application version. » Read the rest

Reminder: Droid World hits the Moscone Center in San Francisco on February 7th and 8th

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by Robert Nazarian on
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If you’re an aspiring Android developer you will want to check out Droid World. The free-to-attend Android developer event at Apps World North America on February 7-8 in San Francisco is all set to feature various leading Android developers, authors, evangelists and operators divulging their expertise on all things Android.

Sponsored by Barnes & Noble, the Android developer conference runs on both days of Apps World and will be of interest to anyone building apps on the Android OS.

Highlights of the day one track will include expert opinion from James Steele, author of The Android Developer’s Cookbook on how to create the optimal Android experience, and Tom Chavez, NOOK Developer Evangelist for track sponsors Barnes & Noble on how to quickly monetise on the NOOK bookstore.

» Read the rest

Google adds new feature to allow developers to reply to Play Store comments

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by Jared Peters on
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It took longer than it should have, but Google is finally allowing developers to reply to comments on their applications in the Play Store. This feature used to be available to top developers, but I’m sure Google saw the usefulness in allowing all developers to comment back. This is definitely going to help the app users get some help when they run into issues, and it should help developers keep their apps from getting too many unfair low star ratings.

source: Droid Life

Amazon Appstore for Japan now accepting developer submissions

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by Jeff Causey on
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Amazon announced today that they are now accepting submissions from developers who would like to have their apps distributed via a forthcoming Japanese version of the Amazon Appstore. Distribution is expected to commence later this year. The Japanese Appstore will join versions for the U.S., UK, Italy, France, Germany and Spain. Expansion of the Appstore to other countries is part of Amazon’s strategy to “serve consumers and developers globally,” according to Jim Adkins, Vice President of the Amazon Appstore. Amazon’s press release includes testimonials from several developers who are already planning to head to the Japanese market, including TinyCo, Square Enix, Yahoo Japan, ZeptoLab and Halfbrick. Hit the source link for the full press release from Amazon.

source: Amazon

Piracy on alternative Android app markets target of FBI investigation

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by Jeff Causey on
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Android app developers who are registered with Google may be receiving what appears to be a worrisome e-mail from Google’s legal staff today regarding a subpoena from the FBI. No need to be alarmed says the FBI. The e-mail from Google’s legal team reads:

Hello,

Google has received a subpoena seeking information related to Android applications that may have been made available on alternative markets without the consent of the developer. The subpoena seeks information about those Android applications, including contact information for the developers of the applications. Our records show that your Android developer account will be included in the information Google will provide in response to this subpoena.

Google is not in a position to provide you with legal advice or discuss the substance of the process in our possession. For more information about the subpoena, you may wish to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation — Atlanta Field Office at (404) 679-9000, reference #2011R00320/FBI/ORKIN.

Regards,

Google Legal Investigations Support

You might note the language, “available on alternative markets without the consent of the developer.” This seems to imply the FBI is investigating instances of app piracy. The e-mail appears to be Google’s attempt to notify developers that their information  is part of what is being turned over to the FBI in response to the subpoena and not to be surprised if the FBI contacts them. According to the FBI, developers will only be contacted if they are a victim.

As a developer, would you be concerned with your information being turned over to the FBI?

source: AndroidCentral

Google Cracking Down On Malware In Play Store, Throws The Gauntlet Down At Indie Developers In The Process

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by Roy Alugbue on
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While malware seems to be a rampant problem in the world of Android, Google has taken extraordinary measures to ensure smartphone and tablet users are not affected by corrupt apps. So with that, Google has heard the cries and angst from affected Play Store users and is now fighting back— except it’s now fighting back against small, independent developers in addition to the untrusted ones. Google recently introduced stricter terms and conditions into its Developer Distribution Agreement, which allows it to maintain better order in its Play Store. As a catch however—  Google’s automated crackdown also affects small developers such as Cory Trese by sending individuals like Trease automated emails, informing him that he is violating the spam provisions of the new developer terms and conditions.

A belief of Google’s attacks on devs like Trease may have to do with a simple fact: his app gets updated frequently— almost too frequently. The only catch is that it’s just pure speculation— there’s no concrete reason for Google’s newfound threat nor is Google responding to Trease and his brother. Nevertheless, Android users of all certainly have something to look forward to with the much-needed control and order of the Play Store in order to make the overall user experience better for all. But at the same time, Google will need to be careful with what type of precedent it intends to set if it does go after talented and innocent indie developers.

source: Wired UK

Android Ice Cream Sandwich Now Accounts for 15.9% of Devices, Jelly Bean Shows up At .8%

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by Justin Crouch on
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Google has updated their Android Distribution chart and 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich can now be found on 15.9% of Android Devices. Most of the power packed devices of 2011 have been updated, like the HTC EVO 3D and the Galaxy S II line. This is great news considering just last month ICS only represented 10.9% of Android devices and with more powerful phones coming out, we should see this number spike even more. I’m predicting ICS will soon replace 2.3.3 Gingerbread, currently on 60.6% devices, time will tell!

In addition, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is making its first appearance on the chart. Currently the only devices with Jelly Bean are official Nexus products and the Motorola Xoom (not a Nexus tablet). Right now, 4.1 Jelly Bean accounts for .8% of Android devices in the world. Not bad considering you can count those on one hand. If you want to get your hands on Jelly Bean in the short term, the easiest way is to get a Nexus device. So spread the word and let’s get Jelly Bean on the map!

source: Android Developers

Airpush, other Android ads could end with new Google Ad Policy

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by Jeff Causey on
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Google has made some updates to their ad policy and guidance for Google Play developers that will likely be welcome news to users annoyed with the plethora of ads present in Android apps. The changes come on the heels of a new feature included in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean that gives users the power to silence app notifications with just a long press. That change by itself can help users deal with ads that insist on pushing ads to the notification bar.

Within the Developer Program Policies, the section on Ads includes this section on context: » Read the rest

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