Android Web Market Review

This afternoon Google held an event focused on Android, specifically Honeycomb, its tablet centered version of the Android operating system.  There were several neat things that were shown off.  I will let Engadget provide you with the specifics if you are interested.  Here , Here and Here.

One other thing before I talk about the New Android Market in the browser.  Google choose to stream this event live, for free, for anyone with a browser and a copy of flash.  Proving Google is all about being open, this was open to all devices (well nearly).  You could even watch it live on your iPad if you watched the TWIT stream which was in a non flash format.  The main stream looked and sounded great. This is really the way it should be and I applaud Google for making their event viewable for all.

For me the biggest thing announced was the new Android Market . This in your full size browser on your computer.  This is unique, the competition doesn’t  have this feature and instead force you into their walled garden that is iTunes to buy or browse your apps on a computer. This requires you to be at your computer. The Android Market has nothing like this, proving Google’s openness. You can download apps from anywhere you have a desktop and cell service.  At the Library, at work, at a Friends house you name it.  Use any old computer, find your app in the web browser press install and your done, more on that in a minute. The design of the new store is clean and fresh.  It has large graphics, screenshots of the application, a description and then users reviews.  It also has a related apps bar on the side.  The website also has featured apps and the ability to search for applications and then filter your search results by lots of things such as price (Free or Paid) etc.

The neatest thing is the ability once logged in to the store is once click install and purchases all from your computer.  It is very simple.  First you find the application you want to install, next you click install.  You are presented with a screen that shows what services this app uses and you have to agree.  If this was a paid app you are then presented with what your funding source is.  Click OK and the payment processes.  Now within about 3-4 seconds your phone the app is pushed to your phone.  The download and install starts automatically.  In your Notifications menu you will notice a small down arrow to show you are downloading the file, just like if you downloaded any application.  It then installs and that is it.  The website also
allows you to link to specific applications with emails or IM.  There is even a direct Tweet button on the page of every app so you can easily publish apps to your twitter stream. No longer do you have to share the name of the app and how to get there with your friends you can just give them a link.

In app purchase is not a huge thing for me but it is for developers.  In the past it has been hard to do and as a result many developers believed the marketplace did not work for them.  Now that this is available it helps to solve these problems.  It also shows that Google is listening to developers and making chances to improve the process so it  Android ecosystem continues to grow and flourish.

The web Android Market is a game changer for Android, its users, and developers.  I predict app downloads will increase greatly just because it is so easy to try apps.  It is also much easier for payment of apps as well since you can easily change your payment source.  I showed this to a few people at work today and they were blown away with how easy it is.  Apps kind of scare some people, but now they feel more comfortable because things are larger and the experience of using a web browser is better than on the small phone of your screen.  You can open many tabs now in your browser when comparing like apps too. It’s slick and just works! Way to go Google, keep up those innovations!

Some screenshots of the process.

An App’s Homepage

What happens when you click install

Install screen, Click OK and thats it.