[Q] Is RobotMedia in-app billing lib usable? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi forum,
I'm implementing in-app billing into one of my apps, and I must admit it's quite complicated. I stumbled upon this lib that seems to make things a little easier. But it wasn't updated for a long time, and I was wondering it it was usable in production.
Anyone has any experience with it?
github.com/robotmedia/AndroidBillingLibrary
(…still cannot post real links, nor in development forum)

And what about alternatives
It seems no one is using this lib. And what are you using for in-app billing? Since amazon has started it's own solution, and each billing solution is limited to a specific market, I would think there would be a way to implement a cross-market solution.

New and Improved in-app billing library
There is a new library called The SOOMLA Project - you can google it or use project dot soom dot la.
this project is an In-App Billing Library for Android and includes:
Simplifies the Google Play API
Storage for currency/goods balances
Improved security
Event handling
Sample App for reference
It's open source so you can either use it as reference or just take the SDK.

Thank you, I'll check it out.

thibaultj said:
Thank you, I'll check it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Soomla is a good instrument. But i cant understand one thing.
May be its a property of markets, but no property of Soomla.... why displaying price on my device in currency, that i pointed at the market.
i want to have price in $ fo US, euro for EuroCountries.... etc
when i push Buy button, there is price in right currency (native for account ). Problem is only for
PurchasableVirtualItem item = (PurchasableVirtualItem)StoreInfo.GetItemByItemId(itemId);
if(item == null)
return "--.--";
PurchaseWithMarket purchaseType = (PurchaseWithMarket)item.PurchaseType;
return purchaseType.MarketItem.MarketPrice;

Related

[Q] Best way to implement a license pack

Hi guys..
I'd like your thoughts on the best way to implement a paid license pack to unlock premium features in a separate free app.
I have this working, but want to know if there's a better method.
My free app has some Premium Features that require the user to purchase a license pack (apk) from the market. If you run the license pack by itself, it just gives a message that this is just a license pack for "so and so" application.
My free application launches the license pack apk via "startActivivityForReturn". If it gets back the proper message, then I set a flag in my free app saying that the license was found and it allows the user to use the premium features.
The license pack itself uses the Android Market Licensing (LVL) API.
Thanks in advanced.
EB
Hi EB,
I used in-app billing for similar concept in my app but in my case subscription is involved as well . I have 2 in-app items for different subscription periods. when a user buys any of it (or they can buy both ) purchase record (also licence record in my case) is created in database with expire date ( of course I don't put it as a plain text ) and when the app starts I check expire date, set flag variable and check this flag before run any premium feature. I was bit worried about performance at the start but I'm quite happy with it now. Even though it's bit tricky to implement the in-app billing and to get it working, once you crack it, it works fine.
Thanks,
Hakan
Great idea. I have it mostly working, but can't test it end to end since my app is already published w/o the billing permission. I'll have to upload a dummy version to test with.
Thanks.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

[Q] New device, new binary?

Ok, I am looking at an online Android/iPhone app builder. They either offer the option to build one for free with unlimited downloads or you can pay yearly with different tiers for different download limits. The difference being that the free one has ads.
Anyways, when asked about just creating the app with their site, then hosting it on your own server and having everyone download it from there instead of paying the yearly fees, the site owner made this statement.
" my personal opinion in the long run you will pay more in this case because every time when apple releaes new iOS (like 6 now) or android has new phone (like samsung galaxy S 3 now) you will have to purchase new binary code from us that supports the latest updates/fixes."
Is this true? I don't see how each new device that comes out will require an update in your app.
Also, as stated, if you pay the yearly fee for the lowest amount of downloads, I assume they can only track downloads from Google Play or the Apple app store. I don't see any way they can track downloads from my own server hosting the .apk file. Anyone have any insight on this to correct me if I'm wrong?
For the record, I'm just looking to develop an app to play my Shoutcast Streaming audio station. I make no profit on the station, so have no capital to spend over $1K a year to have an Android and iPhone app. I mainly want to give it to my friends, and make it available to anyone who visits my Website. I really like the design that I did with this site, and am willing to pay something for it, just not worth $1K./year....
Anybody?
Have you tried installing the official Android Software Development Kit on your computer, and making the app yourself? You don't need to use an online service, and you choose exactly what gets compiled into the apk (ads, Google analytics, etc.).
post-mortem said:
Have you tried installing the official Android Software Development Kit on your computer, and making the app yourself? You don't need to use an online service, and you choose exactly what gets compiled into the apk (ads, Google analytics, etc.).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply.
I actually do have the SDK installed, and am looking into what it takes to make my own app. But, don't I have to know xml and Java to create apps using the SDK?
You do need to know those two languages.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
The Lepricon said:
But, don't I have to know xml and Java to create apps using the SDK?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That online service allows you to write apps without knowing xml or Java?
post-mortem said:
That online service allows you to write apps without knowing xml or Java?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's kind of like Appinventor, all visual, just assemble the parts and stuff.
It's nice, just kinda pricey. I once posted the job on freelancer.com and got offers for about as much as this company is asking, and with freelancer I would have owned the app afterwards.
But, again, it's kinda hard to foot the bill when it's a non profit app.
Ok, I'm off to learn XML and Java.......
Oh, almost forgot.... the original questions...
" my personal opinion in the long run you will pay more in this case because every time when apple releaes new iOS (like 6 now) or android has new phone (like samsung galaxy S 3 now) you will have to purchase new binary code from us that supports the latest updates/fixes."
Is this true? I don't see how each new device that comes out will require an update in your app.
Also, as stated, if you pay the yearly fee for the lowest amount of downloads, I assume they can only track downloads from Google Play or the Apple app store. I don't see any way they can track downloads from my own server hosting the .apk file. Anyone have any insight on this to correct me if I'm wrong?
any ideas anyone?
I think he means every time Google releases an update to Android (updated OS, not new device). So, for example, you build your app to run on Jelly Bean. But when Key Lime Pie comes out, your app may not work as expected on those devices running KLP. Then, you'd have to pay them to recompile your app with updated binaries, or risk losing market share.
If your app is really simple and would run fine on Android 2.2 and up, then that "purchase new binary" thing is not applicable.
But, hell, if you're willing to learn XML & Java... go for it!

[Q] How do Mobile Ad Networks put ads in our apps?

I make apps with tasker and I want to put them up on Play store in order to earn bucks, but they are not good/useful enough to sell directly. So I need to put ads and as far as I have read, I have to contact an ad network or two. But the problem is that I don't have programming knowledge at all! All I know is to make series of tasks and scenes in tasker and export them with tasker app factory so I have an apk file in the end.
I can make almost all apps which are usually seen in the top free apps' trends in Play Store.
So, how will I put their ads? Do they give something which involves the use of Android SDK? Or can I give them my apk file so they will incorporate their ads for me? (this doesn't seem safe though).
One solution for this may be that they give me HTML for the ad so I can put it in tasker's HTML box, but then the ad networks won't be sure if their ads are showed properly or I am showing something else over the HTML box.
Also, do I have to pay the ad networks in advance or do they only take the share from the advertisements' earnings?
____________________
UPDATE: I have learned how to develop real android apps using java and I have been uploading my apps with the name "Apps By Usman".
I thank everyone for the replies and I want to let everyone know that although I personally do not require an answer to this thread now, anyone who can share information about tasker apps and their monetization should write a reply for those visitors who would be needing such answer.
the post is like 4 months old, so i don't know if you still need the answers, but since nobody answered yet, i guess i'll just try, who knows if it helps you or anybody else.
i never used tasker before, but as far as i know, ads network company is providing sdk we have to include in our development project, some company like millenial media (i don't know about other company though) even providing step by step instruction of how to put their ads into our application on their website.
from your question, i assume tasker is something like game maker or app maker, sorry if i'm wrong, well, since i've some experience in using game maker also, just in case i'm right, in game maker, if they support putting ads into application, usually they include some option to do so, and the sdk from the ads network company is already included, i don't know if tasker have something like this.
hope this helps.
Thanks for the reply, tasker is not a development environment, it is just an app which lets us invoke different functions of phone on a step by step manner, and even lets us export these sets of actions as apk files.
I have, however, found that there is a very little possibility for banner ads in it. So I have now learnt coding in java and I am now making apps in java.
The answer to this question, if someone else is interested is that tasker can invoke html banner ads with the help of webview object if your preferred ad network supports this format, but to make real and native apps, we need to learn java.
if anyone needs to integrate ads in your tasker aps contact us.we have developed a plugin to help you.
noorudheen km said:
if anyone needs to integrate ads in your tasker aps contact us.we have developed a plugin to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
admob?
You can get benefits by advertising.
Each advertising platform, there will be a detailed access way and their own SDK,
My Skype is: s40319882
Welcome exchange
noorudheen km said:
if anyone needs to integrate ads in your tasker aps contact us.we have developed a plugin to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am willing to monetize my app made with Tasker, is there any easy easy way to insert or inject ads into the apk without codes?
As for paying the ad networks- are you looking to advertise your product or publish advertisements on your app? I guess it depends how many users you have! If you want to both promote your app and monetize your audience base, you should consider choosing a cross-promotional advertising company. I can give suggestions, but for now I suggest you google App cross promotion companies and pick the one that is best for you.
As for the tool kit, it again depends on the company, but a good company will have the option of SDK, API S2S, open RTB, JS tag, etc
ad mediation !!
hey , if still need answer , ther is some mediation website where you upload your apk and they put their sdk in it with some banner or interstitel ads but still limited as tyou can't control where ads will show up, only at the begining or the exit .
So being this thread has been revived, Ad networks do not put ads in your apps, you have to put the ad networks into your app. This is normally done by taking hours and hours of your precious time coding a SDK into your project. Boring.....
Using Enhance, you can now integrate all of the services that providers offer without ever having to touch an SDK again. With little to NO coding at all and without touching source code, Enhance® is the easiest way to integrate 3rd party services into your project or to keep them up to date. (Ads, Mediation, Analytics, Attribution, Crash Reporting and more) No more SDK integration!!!
We even have a "ZERO CODE" option for certain features!!!
For more information on Enhance, just follow this link : https://goo.gl/kufiQQ
ismaelbb said:
hey , if still need answer , ther is some mediation website where you upload your apk and they put their sdk in it with some banner or interstitel ads but still limited as tyou can't control where ads will show up, only at the begining or the exit .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The point is being able to choose the placement and format for in-app ads easily. That's why mediation works so well.

How to make money from app?

Hi everybody!
I am a developer and want to monetize my app.
Can you advice me ad networks? or other ways to do that?
Thank you so much!
2 ways
There are two main ways to make money from mobile app.
One: you create an app and charge people for using it. You decide they should pay you through app purchase or in-app purchase. People usually don't buy an app unless it's very popular. So I suggest you offer in-app purchase. You can let them use one part of the app free (to make them like it) and pay money to use the app completely.
Two: you create a free app and allow advertisers to put their ad in your app. You and advertisers will work through a mediate platform. I have used 3 mobile ad platform: Admob, StartApp, Adsota. And I recommend Adsota & Admob. StartApp is ok but the 2 other two just work better for me,
In case you want to show video ads, instead of banners/pictures. I heard that AdColony is great for video advertising. But haven't used it myself yet.
We are living in 2015, so now free-app model much more popular, then paid
Admob + In-app purchases is the best way, I suppose
In XDA, there is a thread "how to monetize your android application". that is to tell you how to monetize your application. that worth you to read if you want to make money from App.
3 ways is minimum
You should cover all users. Some can pay, some can watch video to get some features in your app, other can see banner or other static ads. The main thing is your app's quality. Good luck!
I would recommend adding ads to your app and create a version that users can buy to remove the ads, win win situation
An amazing website!
konop said:
Hi everybody!
I am a developer and want to monetize my app.
Can you advice me ad networks? or other ways to do that?
Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello! There are many sites like admob.
You should try to promote your app using companies like "Waypedia". They even make a marketing strategy for your app!
Work on building brand awareness by making profiles in the social networks, set up a website, use Google Adwards, create a blog for the user, etc.
best is admob
Sent from my LENOVO A760 using Tapatalk
Admob + In-app purchases :good:
AD Cooperation
if you want to monetizate your app via ads, maybe you can try :Adxmi
if you have interest to know more ,please add my skype: xuxiaocheng_3.
konop said:
Hi everybody!
I am a developer and want to monetize my app.
Can you advice me ad networks? or other ways to do that?
Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there!
There are a bunch of ad networks that are doing pretty good job. But have you consider to work with multiple ad networks at the same time? One way should be signing up on each ad network a be sure that you don't miss any possible and potential revenue. But there's an intelligent way to do that, this is, trying Programmatic Mediation. There are few good companies like Fyber, Sueprsonic or Appodeal, the one I am using and the one I am completely satisfied.
Whatever you choose, the advantages are clear:
- 1 sign up, 1 SDk all the market
- Higher incomes because they operate globally
- Higher fillrate because the pool of advertisers is the biggest, because you will work with all of them
- Because everythiong in Mediation is programmatic you will have more time to focus on developing than managing your ad inventory
- Probably your earning will boost
Ping me if I can help you by providing more info
Cheers!
Tips for making money from app -
1.The Freemium Upsell. This requires having a second version of your app that's paid
2.In-App Purchases
3.Ads
4.CPI Networks (Cost Per Install)
5.Sponsorship.
App monetization
Hi!
As many have said, the main ways of making money for your app are : adding IAP and work with ad networks. Our company has recently launched a FREE WiFI SDK for developers-this SDK will help you both increase user retention and ad revenue as we work with some ad networks. If you are interested in integrating the SDK, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or check out WeShare WiFi SDK.
We'd love to hear from you and help your app grow
Cheers!
Yijia
I would like to monetize my app thanks to Admob, mMedia or Inmobi. Advantages and drawbacks of these mediate platforms?
Explore Clickky monetozation solution
I’m sure that with Clickky ad formats as well as optimization engine you can increase earnings from mobile advertising.
With one of the strongest demand in the industry, we can guarantee max fill rates as well as high eCPMs. For top publishers, our eCPM rates easily reach $15.
In case you may be already satisfied with your current advertisement earnings; however, what we offer is to help you to monetize unsold inventory, to scale up to fill rates in specific geos or overall eCPM increase thanks to integrating Clickky monetization tools.
By being connected to most ad exchanges and mediators in the industry, our Clickky team strives to maximize fill rates of our publishers and; therefore, to increase their revenue. We'll adapt to your preferences – in case your fill rates are low in, for example, the European region – we'll make sure to provide you with an appropriate demand and so much more...
It also depends on your app - what does it do?
If it's a game with somewhat fast level clearing(~1-3 minutes), you could add an interstiital every 3 levels or so.
Add a top/bottom banner and an in-app purchase to remove them completely.
For games you can also reward in-game coins for the user if they watch a video ad. Think there was an article regarding this -> and it was the least intrusive ad, most people would watch a video ad if they got some sort of in-game reward.
Monetization basics
konop said:
I am a developer and want to monetize my app.
Can you advice me ad networks? or other ways to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Different monetization models for mobile apps:
Premium: users pay to have access the app.
Freemium: there is a "free" limited version of the app for the users to test before they decide to get the full version.
Subscriptions: payments are made weekly/monthly/yearly.
In-app advertising: keeps the app free to play, developers profit implementing ads in different formats (banner, native, videos, interstitials, etc.)
In-app purchases: users need to pay to have access to certain elements or special features of the app. But the app itself is still free.
All of these models can be combined. Experienced developers have had good results mixing in-app ads with in-app purchases.
The most popular monetization model is in-app ads (free to play). To implements this model in your app you can choose an ad network, or go with mediation.
I would say mediation is the best you can do, since it makes several ad networks compete in real time, so you can get the highest paying bid. Try Appodeal! You can integrate various ad networks in one stable SDK. And with the help of their 24/7 support team, installing it in your app should be fast and easy.

My first app is live - what do you think?

I've been learning Android development recently and finally released my first free app.
It's open source and available on Github too. It's made with C# in Xamarin (not forms though, which meansit uses Android's native APIs).
I chose to start with a TOTP generator because
It's a non trivial use case yet not too complex
It allows to meaningfully integrate image acquisition and protocol handling
I already had a UWP version I could reuse the corre logic from
The Google OTP generator uses a web service to scan QR codes, as far as I can tell
I'd be interested in asking for feedback: does the app's UI feel right? What areas can I improve?
kaworu1986 said:
I've been learning Android development recently and finally released my first free app.
It's open source and available on Github too. It's made with C# in Xamarin (not forms though, which meansit uses Android's native APIs).
I chose to start with a TOTP generator because
It's a non trivial use case yet not too complex
It allows to meaningfully integrate image acquisition and protocol handling
I already had a UWP version I could reuse the corre logic from
The Google OTP generator uses a web service to scan QR codes, as far as I can tell
I'd be interested in asking for feedback: does the app's UI feel right? What areas can I improve?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was nice to see that you have your first software released. Congradulations... And thanks for sharing. As I saw you developed your software with Xamarin which is a cross platform framework. It would be great if you can share your experience here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tools/frameworks/native-vs-cross-platform-t3850250 with other people.
I like to hear more stories about crossplatform and also native coding experiences.
I'm going to give your software a try.
I'm not a fan of material design UI, however your app looks nice. Congratulations for creating your first app.
Congratulations. You made the right choice when decided to create tool. Wish you high ratings and many downloads! I downloaded it on my phone.

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