Android's "Flea Market" Needs Urgent Attention

andylim writes "According to Barry O'Neil, ex-President of Namco Bandai Network Europe, Google needs to understand that a constantly evolving 'beta' product doesn't cut it. It has to learn from the mistakes of the Java business in order to save Android. 'If Google is to present a threat to the Apple App Store ecosystem, it needs to address discovery and purchasing as a matter of urgency, or abandon control and hand over the entire management of the Android Market to carriers, OEMs and trusted publishers.'"

Comments

I don't get it?

[ckaminski]

I use the Android app market, and I find what I need. I think the Apple App Store is more plagued with marketers vying for positioning in the vaunted "Top 75" than in any other fashion. How about letting me sort by "5 stars"? Anybody?

I'm not sure I want anyone except the community "in charge" of what gets bubbled up in each category.

Re:I don't get it?

[geekoid]

http://www.android.com/market/

You can't search for apps. You can on the phone, but consumers need better integration and ways to access information.

Lets say you were interested in an Android device, how do you find out what apps are in the market?

Re:I don't get it?

[karnal]

Picture this:

I have a phone now. I'm looking at the nice and shiny android phones. But I am not quite convinced that the apps are what I might need.

How do I find out from a PC that there's something that would push me over the edge?

That's the mole hill that you tripped over.

YES!

[geekoid]

I ahve sent several emails, and posted on the form.

There online market SUCKS.

I have a G1. it's running Google android OS. It is fully integrated with Google.

Why can't I go to android.com and do a search for apps?
Yes, a Google site and you can't search for market apps.

http://www.android.com/market/

Not searchable. I'm sorry, what is Google's core business?

You mean like...

[Darkness404]

Google needs to understand that a constantly evolving 'beta' product doesn't cut it

You mean like Gmail, Chrome, and a ton of other products that people use while in beta? Android's main strength is that it is open, cutting edge and changeable. A crappy interface or design on Windows Mobile is going to be slow to change, a crappy interface or design in Android is going to be quick to change.

Don't want something -slightly- unstable? Get a BlackBerry and its outdated architecture. Want something that is going to be nearly the same from beginning to end? Get an iPhone, but don't expect stability.

I had a Windows Mobile phone for a bit, it crashed so often I went back to my "dumb" phone before getting an Android handset that rarely crashes.

Android is doing the most things right at the moment. Windows Mobile is screwing customers by not offering software upgrades, Apple is screwing customers by not allowing them to use their apps, BlackBerry simply is a crappy environment to code for, and despite how much Palm wants WebOS to gain marketshare, it simply isn't happening.

Oh and never, ever allow OEMs, carriers or "trusted publishers" to take over app markets, otherwise you screw your customers even more. I don't want my carrier telling me what I can and can't have on my phone, same with OEMs and I don't want a "trusted publisher" removing all competition to their product.

Carriers

[silas_moeckel]

Lets think about this, carriers love to nickle and dime you to death, hate anything that gets in the way of this, and only wish to allow enough function to sell stuff. The LAST thing the droid needs is the carriers getting involved. All I want from my carrier is fast reliable service. Some of my least technical friends have droids and after a few days of hating them they come to love them.