Android Market developer groups - android

I'm trying here to find a way to give access to other people to my market publisher account so that another person can push updates or modify things when he wants, but without giving away my password, I know that on AppStore you can do that, but can you do it on Android Market?
Thanks a lot.

You can't do this. Publisher accounts can, for now, only have a single login. There are various threads in the support forums bemoaning this unfortunate fact.

Related

Identifying Impersonation Suspension Reason In App Publishing

I've uploaded my first Android application to Google Play yesterday, and was really excited for my app to finally be on out there.
But my application got suspended for impersonation. I obviously didn't get any more information about what I infringed specifically, and I'm unsure what I should change in order for the app to be accepted (more likely, resend as a different app name).
Before you could help me you'll need to know some information on the app itself. So I basically made a companion app for a video game. I called the application "Horadrim Companion", and it's supposed help players for playing Diablo 3. Naturally, I'm using elements from this game in the app.
So, my main question is why did I get the impersonation suspension?
I can think of several options, please help me figure out what of those could be the issue:
I didn't write "This app is unofficial" in the description, which I've seen several other apps do. This might be the sole reason, but I'm not enough experienced to make this assumption.
I took the logo out of the game lore. Which in itself should be borderline legit, but I've seen other apps do the same, so I assumed it's fine.
The app name. I dont think I've hit a sweet spot with the name or anything, and I dont think it was any of the factors for the bans.
In-app design? I've seen other apps use design elements from Blizzard Entertainment and\or Diablo 3 design elements themselves. Could this be another possible reason? Sounds more like copy right infringement if anything, and not impersonation.
So I'm not sure which, of the above are critical for the impersonation policy or not.
I'd really like your help, you could make one developer a happy man. I'm really afraid the account will be terminated.
I'd really liked your suggestions!
I had the same problem with suspended app publishing because of impersonation.
I solved this by buying/registering the domain name I used as my app package name. I also added my developer email in the company details section of my keystore while signing the apk for release. After doing this my second attempt at publishing was a success.
It becomes easier if you actually own the domain of the package name you wanna use.
I think basically the algorithm used for verifying the originality of our apps is just too strict. So we have to also play our part and go the extra mile to show that we are legit.
Hope someone can relate to this.
All the best.
Usually you receive an email from
Google Play Support with REASON FOR REMOVAL: Violation of the spam provisions of the Content Policy. Please refer to the keyword spam policy help article for more information.
Your title and/or description attempts to impersonate or leverage another popular product without permission. Please remove all such references. Do not use irrelevant, misleading, or excessive keywords in apps descriptions, titles, or metadata.
If you received no such notification, you should try submitting an appeal your app removal/suspension from Google Play using the form in the link below:
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/contact/appappeals
It is most likely that the reason for suspension is one from the list of options in your post, but usually it is explicitly highlighted by Google in their email under the section 'REASON FOR REMOVAL'
The link below lists more such reasons for removal due to trademark infringement of a third party IP:
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/2986098?hl=en&ref_topic=2985713
It is unlikely that your account itself will be terminated, unless you are identified by Google as a repeat offender.
"I took the logo out of the game lore"
It's not your resource so you violate intellectual property
"The app name"
You can't use a trademark word
"I've seen other apps use design elements from Blizzard Entertainment"
Those apps must've been released years ago. Now, the SQA team is really strict about rule.
I mean, if u search "One Piece" or "Naruto" there are a lot of apps that doubtfully has a license.

Is it possible to directly transer income from an app to a certain bank account?

I have just started making apps for iOS and Android. If I make apps for different customers, is it possible to make the income from one app go directly to a customers bank account? It seems like this is something that would come in handy, but I have not been able to find this.
Similar post back in 2010 with no definitive/outdated answer: Question here
After a couple of weeks with no answer and more research it seems like this is not possible. Even though, I would like to mention that one can transfer an app from one developer account to another. This means that I can develop and publish an app on my private account then transfer it to a customers account at a later point. This means you can get started on the development right away and worry about the developer accounts and app income later.
Instruction on how to move an app can be found here:
How to move Android app between developer accounts
How to move iOS app between developer accounts

Google Play Market account for different applications

I'm starting developing and app about fights and violence and i'm planning to distribute this app through the Google Play Market, like i did with all my other Android apps. I usually develop and publish apps for children, so i'm scared about publish something that is really far from my other published apps. For example I'm scared about the fact that an user, while is looking for one of my child related app, can see the violence app in the "other apps from this developer" section.
Is there a way to avoid that or the only solution is to buy another developer account?
Unfortunately, More from Developer and related search on site and Play app is based on developer's name.
For example, search for more from developer looks like this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=publisher_name and for devices market://search?q=pub:publisher_name
The only option is to register separate Google Play publisher account.
To create another account for the sheer purpose of publishing an application which is violent and should not be seen by users of your other applications, is purely a subjective matter. If you believe this is the best way of doing so, go right ahead. I don't see how it will affect any other factor.
That being said, when you publish an application, you already have the option (a mandatory one, I might add) to select the Content Rating. The recommended selection for such an application could be High Maturity. Read more about it at this link.

Google play distribute app for specific (test) users only

Simple question, as i can remember there was an option at the developers console in the Play Store to make an app only visible to a set of email addresses. Or at least the app would be free for that set of emails.
So is there an option to make an app only visible to a specific set of email addresses on the Play Store?
I'm asking this because i want to test my app, therefor i have to email it to like 50 people (not a problem). But when i update the app in the "beta" stage i don't want to resend those emails, and ask the test users to update the current install. Using the Play Store updates would be more seamless and automatic.
Does anyone have experience with this situation?
Edit:
It seems that there is at the moment only one simple answer:
No, using Google Play it's not (yet) possible. But there are some alternatives out there, see accepted answer.
It would be great if Google could add this functionality to the developers console, this would allow developers to simply bring out new updates, and easily see crash rapports without having to publish the app in public.
Edit 2:
Now it is possible to Alpha and Beta test your applications! I believe since the 15 of may 2013.
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/3131213?hl=nl
Google Play now has alpha and beta testing built in:
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/3131213?hl=en
I personally don't remember seeing the option you mentioned, specifying email addresses for private delivery and therefore, I have no experience on that matter. In fact, a quick check in the Developer Console, revealed that the option is no longer available, which I am sure you already know since you posted a question for the same.
That being said, there is a web service I am aware of (never used it personally, but is recommended by quite a few of my developer friends and colleagues).
The website is: The Beta Family. A cursory look at their website so far hasn't mentioned any fees or payments for creating an account or uploading an app for testing.
They also have the email feature you mention in the OP which they call SuperSend where you specify a set of email addresses and the app is delivered to them.
You can get more information about the same here: http://thebetafamily.com/supersend/
It may not be useful if you are looking specifically for a solution with Google Play. But if you open to alternatives, I think this looks promising.
Hope this helps.
EDIT: Their FAQ's mentions that their service is, in fact, free.

PayPal Donations on Android Apps

I am currently developing an application where I want to be able to have an option to allow the user to donate money for the app. Is there a particular way about doing this for android. I have tried looking at google but it mainly shows about paypal donation buttons for websites
I think it should be possible.
There's a similar discussion on Google Groups which basically says that donations are allowed as long as you don't offer additional functionality for that money.
Meaning no functionality is enabled after the donation is made.
Like #alocaly said, you're unable to recieve donations through a system different from android market payment or ads inside the application.
However, it is still possible to have your application on the Internet by free and with a donation button. The difference is that you cannot post it on the Android Market, so you'll have to do some extra work:
Upload to a webserver, so it can be downloaded to your phone.
Create a website (or post your application to another "illegal" market), so people can find your application.
Use some sort of advertising to let people know your application (Twitter retweets, community ads, GoogleAds, SEO, whatever)
Manage some kind of update system. Since you don't rely anymore on the Android Market, you don't have an automatic updating method (Android Market updates applications when you post a new version of it), so you should have a small class that checks a website looking for a new version (it's not that hard) and downloads a new version when there's one available.
Make work the Paypal button like #Tim said
However, you are able to do something that I've see out there: create a free version of your application and post it on the Android Market, and post another version of the same application called "Same program name (Donation)", costing some money. When someone wants to donate you, they'll only have to buy this version.
I hope it helps
I don't know what importance it has, but I think that the chart / terms of services we sign as android developers don't allow the usage of this kind of monetization.
As this is a subject that is changing a lot in Android world, with the soon to come API to pay in apps, I'm not sure it still has any importance, but you should still be aware of that.
Maybe you should take a look at this post, which explains how to integrate Paypal payments into an Android App witout leaving the App itself: How to integrate paypal donate in android app?

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