Blog Feed: A Series of Small Projects

Linking to apps in Android app stores – the Android Market Manager

Published on 2012-05-11 19:33:43

Linking to your Android app (or all of your apps) in the various Android app stores can be a bit of a hassle, since many app markets require a unique method to link to apps in their market. Enter the … Continue reading → > read more

Android Ad Network Review: LeadBolt

Published on 2012-05-06 23:15:13

My review of LeadBolt for ads in my Android apps has been a long time coming.  I started working with them over six months ago.  When the project I was working on didn’t quite match the ad units I investigated, … Continue reading → > read more

Android Ad Network – Swappit

Published on 2012-04-02 12:54:28

To earn more ad revenue from your Android apps, what you might need is more exposure.  House ads work great, but they only reach out to customers you already have through your other apps. That’s where Swappit comes it.  Swappit … Continue reading → > read more

How to Handle Badges for Android App Stores

Published on 2012-03-23 17:06:20

If you’re looking to drive Android app discovery and downloads from your website, you have likely considered using one of the app store badges that can be seen everywhere. No, not the one from Apple (unless your app is also … Continue reading → > read more

Google’s Android Market becomes Google Play

Published on 2012-03-11 11:59:56

For most, the switch from Google’s Android Market to Google Play mostly meant the minor inconvenience of another user agreement. Users  also found their “Market” shortcut missing from their home screen (if they had it there), and they need to … Continue reading → > read more

Android Alternate Market Review: RIM’s BlackBerry AppWorld

Published on 2012-02-09 14:15:21

You might actually want to jump on BlackBerry Appworld. Quickly in fact – if you submit your Android app before February 13 2012, you’ll get a free BlackBerry playbook. Since it takes a day or two to get your account … Continue reading → > read more

Why Android Developers Should Pay Attention to Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS)

Published on 2012-01-22 16:30:57

Every Android developer should be paying attention to Ice Cream Sandwich, or ICS (a.k.a. Android 4.0). Unlike Honeycomb (Android 3.x), which was doomed to only run on tablets, you’ll be seeing ICS on all manner of devices on the near … Continue reading → > read more

Android Alternate Market Review: Nook Store (part 2)

Published on 2012-01-11 12:30:44

The Nook Store for Android Apps is a very promising app market.  Surprisingly, though, it isn’t very well known among Android developers. Welcome back for the second part of the review of the Nook Store for Android apps.  Be sure to … Continue reading → > read more

Android Alternate Market Review: Nook Store (part 1)

Published on 2012-01-09 12:30:58

When I finally reviewed the Nook Store for my Android apps, I was greatly surprised. The Nook universe is an island unto itself, so I wasn’t sure there would be a lot of value in porting my Android apps. Just … Continue reading → > read more

Publishing your Android App in the Nook Store

Published on 2011-12-16 13:10:32

Getting your Android app approved for the Nook app store is a little more involved than for a number of other Android app markets. That can be a good thing and a bad thing.  It does thin out the competition, … Continue reading → > read more

Admob 4.3.1 Error Message Regarding AdActivity and configChanges

Published on 2011-12-13 16:30:00

After updating to Admob 4.3.1 I saw this instead of ads – “You must have AdActivity declared in AndroidManifest.xml with configChanges.” If you’ve just updated Admob and begun using GoogleAdMobAdsSdk-4.3.1.jar, then  you might have seen this as well.  Luckily, this … Continue reading → > read more

A Very Android Christmas – 2011

Published on 2011-12-05 18:09:19

Christmas 2011 should be a good year to be a developer for Android.  Not just if you’re developing a Christmas-themed app as I am (look for my Christmas Ornament and Tree Designer app out now!), but for all Android developers. … Continue reading → > read more

Android Development Lessons from AnDevCon II

Published on 2011-11-11 12:56:05

I just got back from AnDevCon II in San Francisco where I got a lot of great material for my Android development efforts, and of course for this blog.  It was great, and as promised it was very developer focused. … Continue reading → > read more

How to Distribute Your Android App Globally

Published on 2011-11-03 15:13:06

Sure, it’s just the next item on your checklist – “Distribute app globally”. No problem, right? While deploying your app to the Android Market is certainly an important step in getting global distribution, if you are looking to distribute your … Continue reading → > read more

Licensing Image and Code Assets for your Android App – Part 2

Published on 2011-10-25 15:54:57

An important part of keeping costs down for your Android app development is to reuse code – including your own as well as open source code. Welcome back to part two of three in this article series about understanding and … Continue reading → > read more

Android Income: Understanding MobClix payout rules

Published on 2011-07-02 19:00:43

For those of you using MobClix or are considering it for their Android apps, I have some updated information on payments.  If you were reading my previous posts:  yes, I have received my first payout. Note that if you are … Continue reading & > read more

Earning with Android: From the Start

Published on 2011-06-30 20:13:11

What information do you need right now to help you earn money from Android apps? From the feedback I’ve been getting, it looks like I’ve left a gap in the information I’m providing:  the very first steps to earn income … Cont > read more

Android Alternate Market Review: Appia

Published on 2011-06-25 14:00:07

Next in the Android Alternate Market Review series is Appia.  You may not have heard of Appia – but that doesn’t mean that you haven’t seen Android apps through their partners.  Appia purports to supply apps to over 40 app … > read more

June Android Updates

Published on 2011-06-15 14:30:56

It will be a few more days before the next Android Alternate Market Review post, as I’ve been busy with two things:  updating the Android Market Alternatives report (which contains all of the market reviews), and releasing version 2.0 of ̷ > read more

June Android Updates

Published on 2011-06-15 14:30:56

It will be a few more days before the next Android Alternate Market Review post, as I’ve been busy with two things:  updating the Android Market Alternatives report (which contains all of the market reviews), and releasing version 2.0 of ̷ > read more

Android Alternate Market Review: Handster

Published on 2011-06-10 12:58:25

Getting back to the Android Alternate Market Review series, this time I am covering Handster.  This Android app market is independent from major carriers, and is multi-platform.  Is it right for you though? If you’re having trouble deciding o > read more

Android Alternate Market Review: Handster

Published on 2011-06-10 12:58:25

Getting back to the Android Alternate Market Review series, this time I am covering Handster.  This Android app market is independent from major carriers, and is multi-platform.  Is it right for you though? If you’re having trouble deciding o > read more

Testing on Android Target Devices

Published on 2011-06-07 13:25:21

We all know that it’s important to test the different configurations of your app, but it’s really difficult to get *every* configuration.  The power of Android is its diversity.  However, I just added a powerful new tool to my arsenal & > read more

Testing on Android Target Devices

Published on 2011-06-07 13:25:21

We all know that it’s important to test the different configurations of your app, but it’s really difficult to get *every* configuration.  The power of Android is its diversity.  However, I just added a powerful new tool to my arsenal & > read more

Fixing Xoom Video and USB Issues

Published on 2011-06-06 19:24:23

Just a quick note Android tablet users, since I spent a few hours dealing with frustrations with my new Xoom tablet.  While much of the device and the Honeycomb (Android 3.1) OS work well for me, I ran into a … Continue reading → > read more

Fixing Xoom Video and USB Issues

Published on 2011-06-06 19:24:23

Just a quick note Android tablet users, since I spent a few hours dealing with frustrations with my new Xoom tablet.  While much of the device and the Honeycomb (Android 3.1) OS work well for me, I ran into a … Continue reading → > read more

Google Admob Update to 4.1.0

Published on 2011-05-25 03:00:23

Just a quick note in case anyone else has had problems with the new Admob 4.1.0 SDK for their Android app.  I just updated from 4.0.4, and was having problems. Adview missing required XML attribute "adSize" I found this link … Continue reading > read more

Google Admob Update to 4.1.0

Published on 2011-05-25 03:00:23

Just a quick note in case anyone else has had problems with the new Admob 4.1.0 SDK for their Android app.  I just updated from 4.0.4, and was having problems. Adview missing required XML attribute "adSize" I found this link … Continue reading > read more

Asset Reference Chart for Deploying Your Android App

Published on 2011-05-21 10:44:30

Here’s a preview for those of you reading this blog.  I’ve been developing a reference chart showing what assets are needed when deploying your Android app to various app markets.  For example, the Amazon Appstore expects different icon > read more

Asset Reference Chart for Deploying Your Android App

Published on 2011-05-21 10:44:30

Here’s a preview for those of you reading this blog.  I’ve been developing a reference chart showing what assets are needed when deploying your Android app to various app markets.  For example, the Amazon Appstore expects different icon > read more

Android Alterate Market Review: Amazon Appstore

Published on 2011-05-16 11:15:12

You’re probably already aware of the Amazon Appstore market for Android apps, and its potential to earn you money.  Still, I’d like to introduce it quickly for those who aren’t familiar with it or why they should be putting their & > read more

Android Alterate Market Review: Amazon Appstore

Published on 2011-05-16 11:15:12

You’re probably already aware of the Amazon Appstore market for Android apps, and its potential to earn you money.  Still, I’d like to introduce it quickly for those who aren’t familiar with it or why they should be putting their & > read more

7 Steps to Greater Android App Income Part 2

Published on 2011-05-09 11:30:21

This is the second part of this article on making more money from your Android apps (see here for the first part).  This part of the article covers the release and the steps afterwards. There is a lot of money … Continue reading → > read more

7 Steps to Greater Android App Income Part 2

Published on 2011-05-09 11:30:21

This is the second part of this article on making more money from your Android apps (see here for the first part).  This part of the article covers the release and the steps afterwards. There is a lot of money … Continue reading → > read more

7 Steps to Greater Android App Income Part 1

Published on 2011-05-06 18:00:32

Getting the most income from your Android app involves more than just throwing your app up on the market.  However, that seems to be about all many developers do.  That may be good for you, though, because there are a … Continue reading ͛ > read more

7 Steps to Greater Android App Income Part 1

Published on 2011-05-06 18:00:32

Getting the most income from your Android app involves more than just throwing your app up on the market.  However, that seems to be about all many developers do.  That may be good for you, though, because there are a … Continue reading ͛ > read more

Android Ad Revenue: MobFox

Published on 2011-05-04 11:35:23

MobFox isn’t as well known of a player as AdMob or Mobclix.  However, they specialize in extremely high CPC (cost-per-click) ads in Europe and When they say high CPC, they really mean it.  I’ve seen 24-cent clicks, which is rather ̷ > read more

Android Ad Revenue: MobFox

Published on 2011-05-04 11:35:23

MobFox isn’t as well known of a player as AdMob or Mobclix.  However, they specialize in extremely high CPC (cost-per-click) ads in Europe and When they say high CPC, they really mean it.  I’ve seen 24-cent clicks, which is rather ̷ > read more

Android Market Developer Console

Published on 2011-04-26 15:36:48

Quick update – Google just released some updates to the Android Developer Console.  This might be if interest to you, particularly if you’ve been wondering why the Developer Console hasn’t been updating any of your stats for your a > read more

Android Alterate Market Review: SlideMe

Published on 2011-04-25 12:15:36

For this review, I’m going to cover the SlideMe Android app market.  This market is one of my favorite Android markets for a number of reasons, including ease of use and popularity.  More importantly, I think it is an important … Contin > read more

Site update complete!

Published on 2011-04-18 00:18:54

New Look! The changes may not be startling, but I’m pleased that the site update is now up.  Complete with a name change and some logo and artwork polish, the site reflects my increasing focus on Android development and marketing, … Cont > read more

Android Ad Revenue Payments vs. App Sales Payouts

Published on 2011-04-16 12:30:51

Where’s My Money? Your revenue model has a big impact on when and how you get your money for Android apps.  There are a myriad of different app stores and ad networks, but there are a number of things that … Continue reading → > read more

Android Ad Revenue Payments vs. App Sales Payouts

Published on 2011-04-16 12:30:51

Where’s My Money? Your revenue model has a big impact on when and how you get your money for Android apps.  There are a myriad of different app stores and ad networks, but there are a number of things that … Continue reading → > read more

Android Alterate Market Review: AndroidPit

Published on 2011-04-13 11:20:38

This is the first in a series of reviews that focus each on one alternate Android app market.  This one is about AndroidPIT.  Also check out my previous post on Android app market evaluation criteria. If you’re an Android developer … Co > read more

Android Alterate Market Review: AndroidPit

Published on 2011-04-13 11:20:38

This is the first in a series of reviews that focus each on one alternate Android app market.  This one is about AndroidPIT.  Also check out my previous post on Android app market evaluation criteria. If you’re an Android developer … Co > read more

Examining Amazon Appstore Signatures for Android Apps

Published on 2011-04-05 12:41:41

My App is in a number of places, including the Amazon Appstore and the Android Market.  I regularly test updating my app, since I keep it installed on my phone. There is a new wrinkle, because my Amazon versions are … Continue reading → > read more

Examining Amazon Appstore Signatures for Android Apps

Published on 2011-04-05 12:41:41

My App is in a number of places, including the Amazon Appstore and the Android Market.  I regularly test updating my app, since I keep it installed on my phone. There is a new wrinkle, because my Amazon versions are … Continue reading → > read more

Custom Ads in Mobclix

Published on 2011-04-04 11:32:43

OK, I feel a little foolish.  Just a quick note in case you made the same mistake I did.  When you are creating a custom ad in Mobclix (I believe it is the same for iPhone and iPad, but I … Continue reading → > read more

Custom Ads in Mobclix

Published on 2011-04-04 11:32:43

OK, I feel a little foolish.  Just a quick note in case you made the same mistake I did.  When you are creating a custom ad in Mobclix (I believe it is the same for iPhone and iPad, but I … Continue reading → > read more

Admob vs. Mobclix Round 2 – Getting Paid

Published on 2011-04-01 11:15:10

The Race is on! This month I passed the payment threshold for both Admob and Mobclix for my Android app Droid Secret Tips.  Now, that threshold is 5x higher for Mobclix over Admob, but the thing I’m looking for from … Continue reading &# > read more

Admob vs. Mobclix Round 2 – Getting Paid

Published on 2011-04-01 11:15:10

The Race is on! This month I passed the payment threshold for both Admob and Mobclix for my Android app Droid Secret Tips.  Now, that threshold is 5x higher for Mobclix over Admob, but the thing I’m looking for from … Continue reading &# > read more

Amazon Appstore Growing Pains

Published on 2011-03-31 15:17:13

After a week of the Amazon Appstore for Android apps being open, I am starting to see a few growing pains.  I’m sure the team at Amazon will sort things out, but here are a few things I’ve noticed. Your … Continue reading → > read more

Amazon Appstore Growing Pains

Published on 2011-03-31 15:17:13

After a week of the Amazon Appstore for Android apps being open, I am starting to see a few growing pains.  I’m sure the team at Amazon will sort things out, but here are a few things I’ve noticed. Your … Continue reading → > read more

Android Alternate Market Evaluation Criteria

Published on 2011-03-30 12:10:37

Market Evaluation After spending a few months evaluating different alternate Android markets to see where I should deploy my apps, I came up with a few criteria that helped me decide if a site was worth investigating further. I used … Continue > read more

Android Alternate Market Evaluation Criteria

Published on 2011-03-30 12:10:37

After spending a few months evaluating different alternate Android markets to see where I should deploy my apps, I came up with a few criteria that helped me decide if a site was worth investigating further. I used that criteria … Continue read > read more

Android Market Report Available

Published on 2011-03-28 05:15:33

After a lot of research for myself, I realized that I should share the information I’ve found about all of the markets for Android Apps.  There are literally dozens of them, and they all have different rules, strengths, weaknesses, and … > read more

Android Market Report Available

Published on 2011-03-28 05:15:33

After a lot of research for myself, I realized that I should share the information I’ve found about all of the markets for Android Apps.  There are literally dozens of them, and they all have different rules, strengths, weaknesses, and … > read more

Amazon’s Appstore for Android

Published on 2011-03-23 13:27:39

Amazon Appstore for Android is Live! In case you missed it, the Amazon’s Appstore for Android just opened up last night (March 22nd). As an incentive to get you to use it, they offer a different paid app for free … Continue reading → > read more

Amazon’s Appstore for Android

Published on 2011-03-23 13:27:39

Amazon Appstore for Android is Live! In case you missed it, the Amazon’s Appstore for Android just opened up last night (March 22nd). As an incentive to get you to use it, they offer a different paid app for free … Continue reading → > read more

App Revenue Sources

Published on 2011-03-21 03:45:13

I talked to Navang from Mobclix a few days ago, and he was very helpful with data about where my ads were being served. Now that Google shares a lot of information on the Android Developer Console (see my previous … Continue reading → > read more

Google’s Android Developer Console Adds Statistics!

Published on 2011-03-17 04:15:08

Little Fanfare for new Developer Console Feature Wow.  I’m impressed.  Sometime within the last day or so, a new link quietly appeared below the download count in Developer Console for Google’s Android Market. It’s not that no one > read more

Android Ad Revenue – Mobclix Vs. Admob

Published on 2011-03-08 16:12:34

After over a month of testing my first app (Droid Secret Tips and the sister version for Android 1.5), I am leaning towards Mobclix- but I can’t make a definitive choice until I actually get paid! Major Features – Admob … Continue r > read more

Quickly shrink image files with IrFanView

Published on 2011-02-27 16:24:44

This quick tip might save you some time (and would have saved me some time last month if I had found it then).  When I have a lot of photos that I want to keep, but that aren’t priceless (e.g. … Continue reading → > read more

Android TextView, ScrollView and gestures

Published on 2011-02-21 13:51:20

This probably shouldn’t have taken me as long as it did, but I was pretty frustrated while trying to figure out why I couldn’t make my swipe gestures get recognized across the entire app.  Most of the activity screen responded, … C > read more

Android app development and making Admob ads display

Published on 2011-02-13 20:01:00

My brain is so full of Android app development that I don’t even know where to start.  Here are a few small tidbits though: Give Admob ads enough space Admob ads won’t display if you don’t give them enough room.  … Continue > read more

Android development – The last 20%

Published on 2011-01-30 15:04:00

You’ve probably heard a saying something like “80% of the work is in the last 20%”.  For me, that’s been true for Android development.  I’ve been working on an app for several months, and I discovered that the technolo > read more

Thinning your wallet for comfort and convenience

Published on 2011-01-28 23:01:00

If you’re like many men, your wallet has been making a divot in your backside for a while if you haven’t decided to use a front pocket.  I’ve gone through a few iterations, but this time I took the advice … Continue reading & > read more

Photo orientation – understanding and fixing EXIF issues

Published on 2011-01-02 12:13:00

If you have ever found a photo from your camera oriented the wrong way, you have probably fallen afoul of software that doesn’t handle EXIF data correctly. I had some issues with photo orientation for a while, but it became … Continue rea > read more

Body repair with Crazy Glue – liquid bandage roundup

Published on 2010-11-24 18:26:00

I tend to injure myself a lot due to my many hobbies and general poor coordination.  That means I tend to stock a lot of repair items (and keep my several med kits up to date – but that’s another … Continue reading → > read more

Star Wars Pocketmodels are fun

Published on 2010-11-18 16:02:00

Ok, this is hardly a project since most of the work has already been done by others.  These are, however, very fun and cheap as well.  I’m talking about the Star Wars Pocketmodels from Wizkids.  I’m late to the game … Continue re > read more

Continued internet issues, but faster in-house speeds

Published on 2010-11-11 10:09:00

Even after flashing the old router to DD-WRT, the internet issues continued.  I bought a new WRT54G2 router to replace the old WRT54G, and flashed it to DD-WRT to match the other one.  I now have two WRT54G2 wireless routers … Continue readin > read more

Halloween Projects

Published on 2010-10-27 00:35:00

I’ve been busy with Halloween projects and other pursuits, so no posts recently. I made my version of this chainsaw for my Ash costume.  Mine was a little less realistic, but was fun to make.  I even put a fan … Continue reading → > read more

Upgrade wireless router WRT54G to DD-WRT firmware

Published on 2010-10-07 02:42:00

I’ve meant to flash my main wireless router to the DD-WRT open source firmware for a while.  I flashed my bridge router over a year ago, immediately upon receipt.  I needed a wireless bridge, and the stock firmware didn’t support … > read more