Does the Android Marketplace need a desktop client?

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Ever since Google and T-Mobile launched the T-Mobile G1 users have been able to connect to the Android Marketplace to download applications both free and paid. The first version of the marketplace felt inspired by the days of command line interfaces with only icons, descriptions and user reviews available.

With the release of Android 1.6 users saw some big changes to the Android Marketplace with a more updated interface. Instead of the black and white interface, users were presented with a graphical interface to view and download the latest and greatest Android application from a host of developers.

But there seems to be something missing from making the Android Marketplace, a full and rewarding experience for users of Google's mobile operating system. Over the last decade we have seen great changes in the way consumers interact with mobile devices. Apple clearly upped the game with the release of the iPhone and allowing users to quickly download applications in several ways.

But what makes the Apple's iPhone so different for mobile users? The simplest of answers is the iTunes desktop software. Apple's iTunes allows iPhone and iPod touch users the ability to connect to the app store right from their personal computers as well as their mobile devices.

Recently Google has teamed up several partners to launch Google Discover Music whereby users can search for artists, albums, songs or lyrics and purchase those songs from their partner sites. This new music service could easily be turned into an Android application by Google and subsequently rolled into a larger desktop application.

So why hasn't Google developed a desktop interface for the Android Marketplace yet? AdMob, which has been acquired by Google recently, conducted a survey that found that over 90% of users download their iPhone apps directly to the phone rather than through an iTunes. Google may be using this information to plan their next move.

If Google does decide to develop a desktop connection to the Android Marketplace it might be just for the sake of staying up to par with Apple. Google could easily develop a desktop application that would allow users to download movies, music, and applications with the ability to use Google Checkout as a payment system. With the long history that Google has for releasing applications to stay competitive against other software firms, it would come as no surprise if Google decided to release a desktop version of their Android Marketplace.

#1 kizzaaa on 16 Nov 2009 - 13:17

I've had an iPhone 3G, a Blackberry Bold 9000 and a HTC Magic G2 and definitely prefer the HTC Magic.

The Android Marketplace is great (just like Cydia on the iPhone but better - legal, safer, etc) but I do think a desktop version is needed. The Android Marketplace is great as it is, however a desktop version would give Android more exposure to the greater mobile user/developer community - and that's exactly what Android needs right now.

(1 reply) #2 Rudy on 16 Nov 2009 - 13:41

What it needs is support to purchase apps outside the US. I'm not sure about anywhere else but here in Canada I can't purchase apps

(I can download the free ones but I can't buy paid ones)

#2.1 +callum:mr on 16 Nov 2009 - 14:50

That seems weird, I'm pretty sure most places you either have Market or you don't, not just free-only. Where does it hold you up trying to pay?

UK here, works great.

(1 reply) #3 BGM on 16 Nov 2009 - 14:07

i doubt it.

i never ever use itunes for my iphone, infact, i think it's a bit of a hindrance to have the option of mixing up multiple locations where your apps live.

#3.1 Karo - 323z IT on 16 Nov 2009 - 15:54

You can transfer from your library to your phone and vice versa. It is convenient if you get something on the road and want to back it up.

(2 replies) #4 RangerLG on 16 Nov 2009 - 14:09

As a MT3G owner, I personally do not see a need for such an application. I don't want to have to use certain software to connect with my phone just to install apps. I can download and install them just fine and I like being able to hook my phone up USB and move files back and forth without having to fire up some app.

#4.1 +callum:mr on 16 Nov 2009 - 14:51

I don't think they would remove any capabilities you already have. It would just be an extra way to download apps and then sync them across if you'd rather use a computer than the phone, as it can certainly be easier.

#4.2 RangerLG on 16 Nov 2009 - 15:57

It doesn't get any easier than Plug In USB, Open, Drag File Over.

(2 replies) #5 dcastellani on 16 Nov 2009 - 14:36

I think it would be a good idea, and for most of the reasons you mentioned. Being able to load up a single, quality*, app to browse/test/purchase new apps would be awesome. It would be even better if some of this stuff could happen over the air, IE you buy an app and your android phone syncs and downloads it without the need to be plugged into the host computer. I think it would be neat if it came bundled with an Android emulator so you could actually drive the app a bit before bloating up your phone with tons of trial software. This just seems like a no-brainer to me.

*: Itunes is known for losing music, crashing to desktop, and generally being a POS; atleast among my friends.

#5.1 Karo - 323z IT on 16 Nov 2009 - 15:53

iTunes hasn't lost any songs on me, when have you seen it for yourself as people can say anything. I have had a 1 in 1000 chance of crashing with iTunes ever since they started improving with version 8. iTunes 9 is pretty darn good when I have a library of 1600 songs, 75 apps, and Genius on and it works good most of the time on my Athlon 64 machine. It can rarely get sluggish but my CPU can be blamed as I got 2GB DDR400 RAM and 2x 7200 drives with OS and Music separated between the drives.

#5.2 Shadrack on 16 Nov 2009 - 17:59

I haven't had any of the problems with iTunes you have mentioned, dcastellani.

I don't recall it ever crashing on me. Maybe there was an installation problem amongst you and all of your friends...?

My only real complaint about iTunes for Windows is the interface lags BAD on very good hardware. Seems like iTunes v5 was pretty snappy, and v6 wasn't that bad either. v7, v8 were terrible in terms of software lag, and v9 is a small improvement but still lags more than it should on a quad-core w/ 6GB of ram.

iTunes is kind of a POS when compared to other media playing softwares available to Windows. However, it does provide a good interface for configuring and managing the media and apps on my iPhone. Its also very good at backing up my iPhone every night. I haven't needed to restore yet, but my boss had to once and claimed that the restore process was very easy and everything was right-back to where he needed it to be.

#6 Shadrack on 16 Nov 2009 - 17:52

They should make a way to manage this kind of stuff from a desktop computer. I think that an online app would be awesome and more consistent with Google's current line-up.

(1 reply) #7 Gabe3 on 16 Nov 2009 - 18:13

android needs screenshots of its apps in the market

#7.1 clide on 17 Nov 2009 - 02:35

They put screenshots in with donut (1.6)

#8 LincKraker on 16 Nov 2009 - 20:25

Android could benefit from a desktop app manager. Right now most Android users are tech dorks (don't take offense. I'm one too) which is great. If you want a market share of just tech dorks. to get a larger market share android needs to make things easier (stupid proof). the fact is it would be great if my low tech sister could sit at her computer and search for apps and easily transfer her music to her new Droid. instead i'm getting phone calls asking how to add things to her phone. (video, music, pictures) i'd like to be able to download apps from a manager and without my phone connected to the computer have it added to my phone. i'd like to be able to download a new song by my friends not signed band and have it added to my phone without having it connected to my computer.

#9 greatscot on 17 Nov 2009 - 13:42

'With the release of Android 1.6 users saw some big changes to the Android Marketplace with a more updated interface.'

Its my understanding that Android now has at least 6 users.

Here's a word to the wise. Here in Asia Android is already DEAD and buried. Google are desperately trying to jump on the new 'oPhone' bandwagon as a means of saving face. I think they should stick to selling advertising. They're WAY out of their depth in software. Jeez. They make Bill Gates look GOOD.

Watch out for oPhone. Yet anothe GOOGLE WILL TAKE OVER THE WORLD catastrophy waiting to happen.

#10 Crytel on 17 Nov 2009 - 20:03

I would never use a desktop application, and I think that trying to put out a desktop application would ruin some of the simplicity of how we can transfer files now from/to the phone from the computer. I like that backups are done to the cloud, not to my laptop. Browsing on the phone is nice, easy and often I'm out and about when I think of an application that I am missing and would like because its then that I need it.

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