Comments on: Can 3rd-party Android apps survive competition from an official app?

By: AndroidTapp.com

AndroidTapp.com — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:37:25 +0000

I agree, this is a case by case basis. I predict Microsoft Exchange 3rd party apps will fall unless they can offer more value or niche services and price accordingly. Whereas, Facebook 3rd party apps are a tad bit better than the "official" version using this approach. However, if the "official" app creators use the same formula, then it could spell 3rd party demise.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:14:52 +0000

I am not sure about the rest, but as a regular user of Toggle Settings I think it will last quite well, in fact I think they should probably put a nominal charge on it as it is really useful (I would definitely buy it) – reminds me of the profiles in nokia’s symbian except more powerful.

the Power Control widget just doesn’t really do it – I can see this widget replacing other widgets like individual switches for wireless etc, but it doesn’t do the one great thing that Toggle Settings does – which is to allow a user to set up profiles, and then set up rules on how and when those profiles start and stop. I love it – now I never get woken up by calls because I have forgotten to silence my phone – Toggle Settings does it for me – I don’t have to worry about calls disturbing my meetings – Toggle Settings has already switched from my home to work profile which I made to include switching ringer to vibrate – and i don’t miss calls on the way home anymore, cause Toggle Settings automatically switches back to Home from Work.

As c0z said – it provides a niche that the standard apps don’t cover, it looks good, has very few bugs (running CyanogenMod – which might explain the one bug I have found so far – not a deal breaker – not notifying me when it changes a profile, even though the option is ticked – used to work before changing from cupcake to donut with change from 4.04 to 4.2.1) and really does work.

By: Gerard Krupa

Gerard Krupa — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:33:07 +0000

I wonder how well Power Manager, Toggle Settings and their many peers will fair after the addition of the Power Control widget in Donut.

By: PureImagination

PureImagination — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:11:32 +0000

Touchdown was a welcomed app to me on my g1. Even with the new exchange app I am sticking with Touchdown. It offers many more features and syncs with my exchange server better than the new "stock" app. But GV was great before the official app but now I have switched. If only someone would put out a working Flash 3rd party then they could make some money!!!

By: AndrewKam

AndrewKam — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:30:17 +0000

feel free to plug. I mention the podcast when it inspires story ideas. I think it's case by case as well. I used Remember the Milk long before I knew anything about Astrid but I doubt RTM could do anything at this point to make me switch to their official app.

By: c0z

c0z — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:13:12 +0000

As I said last night on the podcast for AndroidGuys (sorry for plug, Andrew), I think this is a case by case basis when it comes to what is going to be used. Sometimes the native app sucks, sometimes the official app sucks, and sometimes a third-party replacement for any of these sucks. It also depends on whether or not the user wants to pay for an app in the market, or doesn't like using things that replace what native applications can already do. Some of the third-party apps neglect seamless integration like the native apps sometimes include.

By: DTU

DTU — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:36:32 +0000

We covered this at uni with the iPhone. Honestly, there's no point developing an app to fill a hole that will eventually be filled, you're better of making something that adds niche functionality that won't ever be addressed in an 'official' update.