Google Android is the new cell phone operating system created by Google Inc. This guide examines their Google Android Applications Store known as the Google Android Marketplace and how to use it. I have included screenshots of the new offering along with some of the basic functions it will perform.
Google's New Marketplace
Over the last several years the Apple App Store has proven that customers are willing to purchase third party software if those applications are easily accessible and proven to be safe for use on their devices. Now with the Google Android mobile operating system Google has their own Apps store, deemed the Android Marketplace. The application works in much the same way as the Apple App Store, offering a crisp interface and user generated comments and ratings. In this article we'll take a closer look at the Google Android Marketplace which is offered on Android-based cell phones currently available through T-Mobile and Verizon.
The Android Market Home Screen
The first screen users will find when accessing the Android Marketplace from their device will be the home screen. On this screen users can use a single click to access Games directly, or Applications with a single click. If you aren't sure of the application you're searching for you can also use the search function which is also accessible via the home screen. Finally users can also access the "My Downloads" section which shows the applications they have downloaded and installed on their device in the past.
Using the Application Selection Screen
The next screen in the marketplace is the actual applications screen, this screen will be access when you click on the Games or Applications choice, or when you perform a search. Via the Application screen users can find the name of applications, the name of the applications developer, the rating given by users on a 5 star scale, and the cost of the actual item. I should mention that the first version features on the first Google Android based phone only featured Freeware applications approved by Google. The current version includes paid apps that can be purchased. This screen is essentially used to help users weed through what will likely become hundreds, if not thousands of Google Android based software and freeware applications.
The User Comments Screen
Google definitely wants users to feel confident with their downloads, whether they are paid applications or freeware. That's why users will encounter the user comments screen when they click on an application, in this section users can leave short reviews of the application that has been clicked, while also providing a star rating up to 5 stars. Once a user reads through the comments they can install the app by clicking the Install button at the bottom of the screen, at which point the final screen before installing is delivered.
The User Agreement Page
The final page I mentioned above simply gives users information about the application. For instance, some appliations may need to access the internet, while others may need to take advantage of your phone's GPS capabilities, or use your system tools to function, this final page makes users aware of the security risks that may occur with using the device. Its still unclear whether Google will review each application for security flaws, or simply make users aware of the risks to hardware and software access, either way its a nice and clear layout of system resource use.
Conclusion
That's the basics of the Google Android Marketplace, while the program seems simple it's a big step in the right direction for Google, who only several months ago had no such app store in place. Google has promised to build on the current Marketplace and develop a tool that better protects customers and their information. I'll continue to update this section as new information becomes available.
