I am currently tracking referrers with Android Market and Google Analytics as described here:
http://code.google.com/mobile/analytics/docs/android/#android-market-tracking
Is there a similar solution that can be used for Amazon Appstore?
Does the Amazon Appstore prevent you from using Google Analytics? Well... not that I would be surprised, given how eager they are to pretend that Google Play does not exist.
In any case, Flurry is another popular analytics alternative for Android. I use it for Apps on the Amazon Appstore, so I know they don't have an issue with that. It also works well enough that I've never seen the point of moving over to the Google Analytics suite.
Edit: Your question is not 100% clear (since the link just points to Google Analytics), but is the problem that you want to be able to track referrers in the Amazon appstore app/website?
That is obviously a different cup of tea. But in that case, my advice is really simple: send a mail to the Amazon appstore crew, explain what you want, and ask them if they can provide this service. The Amazon appstore has some weaknesses, but the one big advantage that they have is that they have actual people willing to talk and listen to their developers.
You can use the URL structure defined at the following link:
https://developer.amazon.com/sdk/in-app-purchasing/sample-code/deeplink.html
Use the ref= tag as described at the bottom of the linked webpage
Related
What are some ways to distribute android apps quickly to specific people without publishing them to Google Play?
What kind of group?
You can publish your app on Google Play as beta and invite whoever you want.
A little bit faster method (but also a little bit more complicated to final user) is upload it also as beta on Fabric Beta (https://docs.fabric.io/apple/beta/overview.html)
If you want it to be fast choose Fabric Beta.
You can start a closed beta limited to a list of emails or an open one where anyone with a link to your app can install it.
Take a look at https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/3131213?hl=en
I don't think it is possible to do that with Google Play. Have you tried HockeyApp?
EDIT: It is possible to use Google Play, although the people in you ur group don't need emails for HockeyApp. Sorry!
Today and I don't know how (And I actually I don't care) my AdMob account has been suspended for a month, it was a long email to share, but somehow I felt like I'm a thug or criminal who want to steal their money (Which was less than a dollar as my app just got published a couple of days ago), perhaps there was a mistake from my side (The only thing comes in my mind that I may forgot to disable the live Ads while testing my code today as a result of publishing an update that fixes a bug).
Anyway, they will not serve me any Ads for a month, and as there was no even a warning and no appealing, I'm considering to use Amazon Ads in my app.
My question is,
1- Is it easy to implement an Amazon ad banner in my code?
2- Do I have to publish my application on Amazon App Store too?
3- Is there a step by step guide to implement Amazon ad in my code?
Thank you :)
1- Is it easy to implement an Amazon ad banner in my code?
Totally depends on your expertise level. But, even if you are moderately comfortable with android development and have worked on integration with other ad networks it should not be hard at all.
2- Do I have to publish my application on Amazon App Store too?
No, but it is recommended to do so. What the harm in having an additional distribution channel? It will only do you good by bringing in more downloads.
The getting started page clearly states this: Submit your app to the Amazon Appstore, Google Play, **or** another app distribution framework. Hence publishing on Amazon is not a mandate.
You will have to sign the MOBILE AD NETWORK PUBLISHER AGREEMENT
3- Is there a step by step guide to implement Amazon ad in my code?
Yes, refer the official documentation here
These FAQs will help you better understand each of the points you've put in your question.
And why only amazon as an alternative? You have a whole lot of other options.
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.
My company has an app that is available both in the Google Market and the Amazon Appstore. We're now looking to implement DLC in-app purchases. This is no problem with Google but it looks like Google doesn't allow 3rd party app stores to use their in-app billing system.
Since we were free the first day on Amazon and have considerable users who downloaded our app freely we're trying to implement pay-DLC on Amazon to recoup the lost revenue. Google aside, I'm sure there are other ways to handle in-app purchases, any suggestions that people have had experience with that involve simple, streamlined, & secure APIs for this?
Amazon Appstore for Android does not yet support In-App Purchasing (aka In-App Billing). However, there is a beta of an SDK they are developing, and access to that SDK is by invitation only (again, as of this writing). You can sign up here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/html-forms-controller/AmazonAppstore-IAPrequest
I am not aware of being able to use in-app purchases to buy from the Amazon Appstore. (I would post this as a comment but I can't seem to find the comment button.)
The only thing I can think of would be to update your application to look for files outside of your app - specifically additional content. An example would be PowerAmp, where it can use an unlocker to keep going, but it would be more useful... However, I don't think the app-store lets you do that.
You might just have to stick to the market.
Amazon's In-App Purchasing API (IAP) is publicly available. You can download the Amazon In-App Purchasing API, Documentation, sample code, and testing tools here:
https://developer.amazon.com/sdk.html
*Opinion's expressed are my own, not my employer's. For official Amazon Appstore policies and guidelines, please refer to http://developer.amazon.com
I haven't been able to find out much from Amazon on how their DRM works or how to even implement it, nor can I find any documentation worth a damn on it at all.
Does Amazon alter the APK themselves or is this something the developer has to do?
Is there some decent doc (designed for developers) explaining it? Please post link if you have it.
You don't have to do anything but check the DRM checkbox when uploading your appliaction.
From the FAQ:
Can I apply DRM to my app?
For each app
that you submit to the Appstore, you
can choose to apply DRM or make your
app available without any rights
management constraints. If you do
choose to apply DRM to one of your
apps, you must use the DRM system
provided by Amazon through the Amazon
Appstore Developer Portal.
Have you already joined the developer program and tried to access the portal?
Here are more details. I'm still trying to figure out if any of this has even happened yet, or if it's just being hyped up.