Are Android phones reliable?

Solar2D Android
#1

I have only developed for iOS up until now. So I bought a Samsung MIni and made a start in Android apps.

Coding hasn’t been a problem but my phone has.

Firstly, no matter which way I tried - the phone won’t install my apk files, even when I’ve set all the settings as advised . . . ‘Unknown Sources checked’, ‘USB Debugging checked’ & ‘Allow Mock locations checked’. I have downloaded the apk file from a server and from bluetooth. But when I click install it finishes with the message ‘Not installed’ ???

So, after many hours I decided to upload the app up to the Android marketplace and download it myself and check it. Only to find that my phone doesn’t recognise my Google Account. It just says ‘Your username and password do not match’. But I know they do because I just logged into my account on the Mac with them. So I can’t even download Android apps!??

I checked on the Internet and there are many others whose Android phones are not recognising their Google Account.

The question is: ‘Is it likely to be me, as this is my first attempt in the Android market’, or are Android phones really this buggy? Getting the phone to work has been harder than the actual coding of the apps.

Right now I feel like throwing my Galaxy Mini into the bin. :frowning:

Any pointers would be much appreciated from developers more experienced in Android development. [import]uid: 12941 topic_id: 21315 reply_id: 321315[/import]

#2

If the phone you have is a Samsung Galaxy Mini (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_Mini) then I suggest that you really throw it in the bin, not metaphorically speaking but actually as it will serve you no purpose with Corona, as it is an ARMv6 processor that was stopped being supported long long ago.

Androids are temperamental and not as smooth an experience as iOS, but there are folks that love em and still do not have many apps in comparison. [import]uid: 3826 topic_id: 21315 reply_id: 84426[/import]

#3

Thanks JayantV,

That explains a lot of things. I actually asked the store rep to advise me on a phone that has an ARMv7 processor and can access the Android market place. He insisted that the Galaxy Mini did. I now know where the Galaxy Mini belongs and it involves a painful insertion involving the over confident store rep - but I can’t put that up on the forum :wink: I’m never going to ask another store rep anything from now on. I’ll look on the Internet myself.

I really appreciate your help as I was going out of my mind. I’ll buy an Android phone with an ARMv7 processor now.

I’m trying to warm to Android and this will help.

A million thanks buddy :slight_smile: [import]uid: 12941 topic_id: 21315 reply_id: 84434[/import]

#4

If you are in the US, go for an Amazon Kindle, it works, is under $200 and is the perfect test device. I just tried out a few games from the Humble Indie Bundle, they all rock on the Kindle Fire (did not think, I would be promoting that) [import]uid: 3826 topic_id: 21315 reply_id: 84441[/import]

#5

Hi JayantV. Thanks for the advice buddy,

I’m not in the US, but I can ask my American friends to get me one no problem.

So, the Kindle Fire takes .apk files as if I were uploading them to say an S2 or any other device? If so, great!

This is such valuable advice to me as I am asking friends to download my Android apps at the moment and although they are friends, I don’t want to bother them.

You’ve really taken the time to help me here buddy. If I could shake your hand, I would, as you’ve saved me a lot of confusion in an area where I have limited experience.

Do you have any iOS apps in the Apple App Store? If so, I run the www.appreviews4u.com website that does iOS reviews only and will do a free video and written review for you for one of your apps with added bonuses, just only for you my friend, I normally I charge for these. I would also like to offer you a 2 month completely free 125 x 125 ad spot, in my sidebar ad placement area.

If it wasn’t for your valuable advice I’d have been running round in circles with the Galaxy Mini from Hell and saving up needlessly for an Android S2. You’ve cleared up any confusion and frustration I was feeling and have set me on the right path now.

Just give me the name of your chosen app, the App Store URL and I will do the rest. It’s the least I can do.

Many thanks,
Kevin [import]uid: 12941 topic_id: 21315 reply_id: 84770[/import]