Android News
SlideMe: an interesting Android Market alternative
March 31, 2009 | by Andrew Kameka
Android, Android App Reviews
Earlier this month, I posed this question: should Android developers form their own app store as an alternative to the Android Market? It turns out they already did with SlideME.org, though not to address my original point of targeting dev phone owners.
Still, SlideME has emerged as an intriguing second option for distributing Android applications. Though its offerings are far too few to match the Market, it has worthwhile features and the potential to give more options to developers and customers looking to sell/buy apps.
One of SlideME’s most obvious benefits is that developers can sell to Android customers throughout the world. Many non-U.S. and U.K. Android users still do not have access to paid apps, so SlideME could be a temporary solution. The number of SlideME apps is dwarfed by the Android Market; however, paid apps like Greed Full, tetherWiFi, Ring Control, and Wallr are available.
SlideME’s downloadable application manager (SAM) can show app screenshots on an Android phone. It is also developing a desktop client called SlideVille that will, among many other things, let users:
- Browse apps by category
- View app screenshots and video demos
- Preview applications
- Donate to developers
- Recommend apps to others
- Mark apps or certain developers as favs
SlideME appears to be using a roadmap similar to what many wish the Android Market would embrace.
When I first suggested creating a second Android app service, it was mainly to address the opportunity for someone to reach disenfranchised dev phone owners. SlideME isn’t currently the solution for that, but I’m still intrigued by other facets of the service. It will be interesting to see if it is embraced and fills in the gaps left by the Android Market. If the world can support several different stock markets, there should be enough room for more than one app center.
UPDATE: I want to also mention SlideME’s forward-locking feature, SlideLock, which helps protect apps from piracy. SlideLock requires that an IMEI (ID unique to each phone) be approved by its server before an app using this security can run. This prevents users from downloading an app and then sending it to friends to install. I spoke with a SlideME developer and he says they are working on letting users change their ID in the event that they lose or switch Android phones. We’ll be sure to look out for SlideME and SlideLock’s development over time.
I think its an option that will prosper with the passage of time.
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More protection as this SlideLock just cause more consumer annoyance. Hackers will always find a way around it anyway. Epic fail.
I really don't like the slideMe app store, it's slow and so annoying, not to mention i can barely get the apps i want, so i'm doing what every android owner does… get the crack version of what i need, my friends's phones are working just fine..
and to be honest it took me a while to register that SlideMe is an android market app alternative
And in the end…you are not only hurting the small Developer but yourself, as they will undoubtedly go elsewhere. So in essence you are retarding progress and innovation…..figure out the rest.
Much like google, slideme cannot be bothered to review or warrant submitted applications. It can/will develop into another haven for malware masquerading as freeware.
Yes, as adware IS malware
Slideme doesn’t have microsoft capitol. Vista was cracked in 24 hours.
Slideme is DELUSIONAL
SlideMe is the only android application download program that works on my Android tablet device. Forget Android Market, it completely did my head in and wasted an inordinate amount of my time and I can see from the forums many many other people are having problems too with the Android Market Website telling us “There are no android devices associated with this account.” The solutions offerd by Google and the Android Market do not work. Google wanted me to download the Google Authenticator, which I can't download because “There are no android devices associated with this account.”, so I was going in circles and increasingly frustrated. I tried a couple of other android application download programs but they were not compatible with my device or again required a Google account. SlideMe worked immediately I downloaded it! Thankyou SlideMe – no B.S !
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Very neat blog.Really looking forward to read more. Great.