Android App Markets
Are You Paranoid of the Market Yet?
On March 12, 2012, Google renamed the former Android Market (https://market.android.com) to
Google play at https://play.google.com/store. This is to reflect Google's asperations for the site
(like Amazon.com) a purveyor of more than just Android stuff.
The store may be advertised to have "tens of thousands" of apps for Android, but "90 percent of everything is crap" -- WIKIPEDIA: Sturgeon’s Law.
CAUTION: Some apps are malicious in that they steal your data, hijack your credit, send emails to your friends, or harm your phone. Google does not fully review apps before putting them on their Android Market, so malicious Andriod apps can and do exist. Viruses found already include, Droiddream, Myournet, and Kingmall2010. Google these names and see how they run.
Google's Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) defined in the Android Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) only enumerates the software and hardware requirements of a compatible Android device.
CAUTION: Even apps that have been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times and vouched as clean by Sympantec and Live can become malicious. with an infected update.
On a technical level, when you click "Install" for an app, an INSTALL_ASSET push intent notification is sent to the device's vending APK though a persistent TCP/SSL/XMPP connection to Google’s GTalk servers maintained by a GTalkService on Android devices. BTW, this connection is also used by Google’s C2DM (cloud to device messaging) which provides push functionality to third-party apps.
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APP
AppBrain's Fast Web Installer has the same vulnerability. It pushes apps from the
AppBrain App Market on the web.
So we do not recommend it.
Google can also invoke the REMOVE_ASSET functionality to remotely remove apps on devices (perhaps without your permission). Yes, if Google’s GTalkService servers were ever compromised, it can be used to deliver (widely) a malicious application payload.
Even if an app is found to be malicious and pulled from the market, the damage they do has been done. And many infected may not know that they have been infected.
Infections
Most smartphones in Eastern Europe and Russia suffer from hacks installing bugs such as "BadNews". This is due primarily to insufficient safeguards such as lax SMS regulation requiring double opt-in from unsolicited premium SMS messages, along with lack of monitoring of app distribution sites provided by the US MMA (Mobile Marketing Association).
leading to mobile devices being hacked within these regions.
App Reviews and Recommendation Sites
WEBSITE: BloomWorlds aims to be a family-friendly app store, to help Android parents discover safe, and age-appropriate apps for their children using their vetted submission process. All the best to you, Todd Levy.
★ Engadget
★ PC World
★ Appolicious (iPhone)
★ GigaOm
AppJudgement/Revision3
Android User Blog Roll
VIMEO:
App Show features fun
young blondes using Nokia at
WEBSITE: Lady Geek TV from
London
WEBSITE:
Top 20 Apps
by Jason Heiner at Tech Republic
BLOG:
Galen Gruman's
Mobile Edge blog
on InfoWorld
WEBSITE: Lockerknome?
Bloatware
Device manufacturers can so they install by default "bloatware" apps that are really optional, such as the Angry Birds game.
Removing such apps involves rooting the device
Some apps pre-installed with the device by carriers, such as Angry Birds, are there to demo (demonstration) the app.
App developers (and Google) also make money from showing ads at the bottom of your screen.
They hope that people will get hooked (wasting time their way),
then pay for a "Pro" version to avoid annoying ads and get some additional features (to save time).
Smartphone Manufacturer Stores
- SamsungApps.com
- Cisco's AppHQ for the Cisco Cius tablet, which was discontinued in 2013.
Manufacturers:
Wireless Carrier Stores
- appcenter.wireless.att.com/
- Sprint
- Telus Canada
- Bell Mobility
- BT Mobile
- MetroPCS
- O2
- France Telecom (FTE) Orange
- Rogers Wireless
- Sprint
- T-Mobile
- T-Mobile UK
- Telus
- Three.co.uk
- Verizon Wireless Private Applications Store for Business
- Vodafone 360
- WiFi
- Orange
Wireless Carriers' own stores:
AlteAnative App Marketplaces
Click the search magnifier icon [?] and enter a search term. Notice that movies and music and books are also sold on the Android Market to make money for Google.
CAUTION: Before clicking "Download", go to Settings > WiFi, turn it on, and make sure a network is connected. Otherwise, using your cell data plan will cost you money.
NOTE: After downloading a paid app from the Android Market, a Refund icon used to be no longer appears (for 15 minutes) before changing to Uninstall.
- Amazon's AppStore at amazon.com/mobile-apps offers a free app of the day.
- AndroidPit.com provides reviews (test reports) as well.
- AppBrain includes apps in the Google Android Market in its catalog, and provides more ways to search for apps.
- GetJar offers apps across many phone platforms (Blackberry, Symbian, etc.).
- AndroidGear is a part of Appia.com (perviously PocketGear) cross-platform store.
- AndroidAppsLabs.com
- slideME.org is used by independent developers to be discovered by publishers.
- AppsFire is the place to go for those who need the excitement of promiscuity. The site has an app that recommends other apps based on what you already have installed and what your social network recommend as well as highlighting apps that are popular, chosen by experts.
- AppsLib focuses on tablets and larger screens.
- Androlib.com
- Applanet.net
- Andspot.com
- Apitalism
- Appcity.com
- Appoke.com
- Aproov
- BloomWorlds.com
- CamangiMarket.com
- DJuzz.com
- Docomo-market.info
- Fastapp.com
- Handmark at store.handmark.com
- Handango.com
- Handster.com
- Mobango.com
- mobiles24.com
- mjelly.com/apps/tags/android
- Mobihand.com
- mobile2day.com
- mobileapps.com
- mobspot.com
- mplayit.com
- NavTech App WareHouse
- soc.io
- Storeoid.com
- whiteapp.com
- yaam.mobi (Yet Another Android Market)
Among the largest alternatives app stores:
Others: "If you don't want to get mugged, stay out of dark alleys."