Google have recently launched the Android Market website, giving a home on the web to their ever growing app store. It is a slick online experience that makes finding and installing apps very easy. One click and the download starts on your device, almost instantly.
Nothing is perfect though, so here are a few ideas that could improve upon the current site:
- Favourites/Bookmarks/Bundles - It would be nice to be able to create a list of your favourite apps, maybe even multiple lists, one for each of your devices, for instance. Imagine how useful it would be when you get a new Android device to be able to go to the Market website, find your favourite apps list and install them all with just one click.
- Download options - At the moment an app will start to download straight away when you click on the 'install' button on the website. A 'install next time I connect via Wi-Fi' option would give more flexibility.
- Verified publishers - Verified status would add kudos to an app developer.
- App sharing - The option to send direct links to apps and maybe even your favourite apps list.
- Auto posting - You install an app and your Facebook and Twitter status gets updated automatically with 'I just installed, etc..'.
- Promo codes - Developers could send out a voucher to newsletter subscribers, for instance, that could be redeemed at Market.
- Special offers - Discounted promotional pricing for apps bought through the Market website.
- App bundle deals - Buy one app, get another half price. You know the kind of thing..
- API - Google are usually very quick to produce APIs for their services. Third party developers could create unique interfaces for the online Market. A Google Map of most popular apps by county anyone..?
- Widgets - Code to add to your website or blog showing the apps you've downloaded or your favourites list.
- Affiliate programme - Send a user to the Market website, get a cut of the price paid to download an app.
- Wishlist/Gifts - Buy apps for other people and create a wishlist so you can receive apps as gifts.
- App update history - How often is an app updated? Is this a proactive developer? Just check on the app update history page.
- App demo videos - See the app in use before you buy.
- Interviews/News - All the latest about the top app and game developers.
- Official Tweets - A dedicated Twitter account for the website.
Any more ideas anyone..?
