Related
Project closed!
Good job.I am in.
Example - Show myWindowsPhone with your User ID: ("Show your custom Windows Phone to your friends")
http://mywp.vi-a.de/index.php?id=1
Nice release keep up the good work
good job !!
simple but applicable
Nice! Good Work Man!
New version in development...
NePheus said:
Available under:
http://mywp.vi-a.de
About
With myWindowsPhone, you can administrate your own visual Windows Phone!
Features
- Add applications from windowsphoneapplist.com
- Add applications to your homescreen
- Drag&Drop your Hubs on the homescreen
- Customize your background- and tilecolor
- Choose your WP7 Smartphone
- Show your custom Windows Phone to your friends
Functions
- drag&drop Hubs
- singleClick on Hubs and Apps
- doubleClick on Hubs and Apps
- Add eMails
- Add Contacts
- Add Apps with "Marcetplace"
- Use the arrows to scroll your phonecontent
This is a first version and may contains bugs. I hope you like it, so maybe I can continue this project!
I appreciate any feedback!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
download link
please
thanks
is this like doing something on a webpage but not on yr phone??
It seems really good but unfortunatly the website is actually down, I'll test it later, thanks for this, I already know how usefull it will be for my website.
Sorry guys, I can´t release it yet ,because I´m talking atm with Microsoft about the rights to publish the used materials.
HTC already gave me their permission to use their Smartphone pictures. But neither Nokia, LG, Samsung or Dell did. If I don´t get in trouble with Microsoft, I maybe send written requests to all of them. (So far I´ve only send them mails)
I don´t want to pay any penalty because of this project!
It is a desktop client (package management on the phone is another topic) that aggregates existing repositories (my own basic format - currently no APT or NuGet) and provides a way to distribute homebrew applications in a more convenient manner.
this looks great! but wheres the download file?
it said "This project has no releases."
As I said in the main post, the binaries are not there yet, but you can always compile the source code yourself. Binaries will be available this weekend.
Here is the latest changeset.
Looks really good.
Downloaded,compiled,ran,downloaded the test apps. IT WORKS!! Really nice concept. I do hope you make some documentation for it. For all I know, this could be the next big thing.
Thanks. Compiled it and ran it. Works.
What i'd like to see is some kind of
- rating.
- possible to not show only screenshots but maybe short videos to demonstrate app.
- possibility to upload also source code of the xaps, so developers can decide if they want to brew this app by themselves or install "unchecked" xaps
thanks so far. i think youre on a good way!
ps: i remember last year there were big discussions microsoft wanted allow homebrew and integrate this into marketplace. hello? chevron? hello? so hopefully youre work is not for nothing.
@amannigam @oOp thanks for the feedback! It works at a very basic level - many more improvements have to be made, but that's going to happen over the weekend.
What specific documentation would you need for it?
Also, ratings sounds like a good idea. The only thing is I need to think of is a way to write those to the repository the user is exposing. Or, I could simply create a central repo/pack-ID link database on my own server that will keep a record of app ratings (can cause some problems, but I am plainly thinking of a PoC now).
I appreciate the feedback!
mwang's post about the DFT 7220 release says that the ROM includes the ability to install XAP's over the net. Homebrew like this but on phone. Just thought you'd be interested in that.
Great concept! I'll have to join in on this. I'll be setting up a repository later on.
What I feel that this project can go a really long way. So try making docs for everything that is being added. So people never lose track of anything. Also info of how to create a repo and adding the repo to app will help them jump to it easy.
Looks great! c# WPF, nothing beats this.
1. The new Mango hack allows downloading and installing XAPS directly from the OS (without a PC connected). Maybe we can use the infrastructure of your PC app and make another mobile app?
2. How can I contribute?
snickler said:
Great concept! I'll have to join in on this. I'll be setting up a repository later on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Let me know what the URL is when it's ready.
amannigam said:
What I feel that this project can go a really long way. So try making docs for everything that is being added. So people never lose track of anything. Also info of how to create a repo and adding the repo to app will help them jump to it easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will try to do that. I will put together a tool to automatically create a repo in the next hours and will make it available by tomorrow. It will be bundled as a part of MetroPack. Thanks for the feedback!
Thank you all!
yes, pls make it into a phone app
Also tell us how can we contribute to the project. Yes we will test it. But apart from that if you need any help in development or anything. Do tell us.
the weekend is almost over and still no release?
And you have my full support also
Coming this evening (Central Time). Have to do some late adjustments and bug fixes.
Got done with the repository builder tool. I decided to integrate it with MetroPack, so it's work in progress now - you can see it as RepoDev, I need to port the rest tomorrow (bindings and actual export).
For those who do not want to download the source code, the binaries will be available here. The current binaries are very raw (functionality-wise it is a PoC). Once I integrate the repo builder tool, I will make sure that packages are actually installed on the device.
Also, if you are creating a repo, make sure you read this first:
http://metropack.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Creating a new repository
There is a breaking change related to the version format.
GREAT APP, cant wait till final build , I get force close error and cant use it for long , I want to donate some money , its not alot but all donations help.
it really has potential
I really appreciate your guys' feedback, but until there is a final release - no donations Thank you, though!
@confrontation - what were you doing to get a forced close?
ZeBond said:
I really appreciate your guys' feedback, but until there is a final release - no donations Thank you, though!
@confrontation - what were you doing to get a forced close?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just checking out all the fuctions of the app
Here is an app I made to quickly and easily change marketplace settings. Similar apps exist already, but this one has a few features I've not seen in the other ones. This project was more of a way for me to learn about homebrew dev, but it resulted in a useful program so nothing wrong with that
Source
This app is open source. It is hosted on Google Code. If anyone would like to help contribute, PM me and we'll discuss getting you added.
What you can do
Change OEM marketplace - You can choose from any of the 8 OEM stores, or view a combined market with all 8 at the same time.
Change MO marketplace - I'm working on getting as many as possible included. The app will ask kindly to submit if yours is a new one.
Change the maximum file size cap over 3g - Download larger apps and podcasts over 3G without needing a wifi connection
Lock the settings - Prevents your settings from reverting back in a day or two when the marketplace updates itself
Who can run this?
You need a root unlock. So either a full unlock or WP7 Root Tools with this app marked as Trusted.
Changelog
Beta 2.0.3 - 6/7/12 - Going off of the error reports I received from yesterday's release, I added better error handling to hopefully alleviate those problems.
Beta 2.0.2 - 6/6/12 - Added a better error handler. Users are now prompted with the option to submit bug reports, so I may better track down issues.
Beta 2.0.1 - 6/4/12 - Fixed a bug that would cause the app to crash if no MO store was configured on the device. The app also informs you if it's not set to Trusted in WP7 Root Tools.
Beta 2 - 5/31/12 - After spending too much time working on a rewrite, the next beta is ready. I've changed a ton of things under the hood, but the big new feature is viewing all OEM markets at the same time. I've also released the source as of this version, though I am not speaking for it's quality. Some parts are more polished than others.
Beta 1.4 - 5/2/12 - Added a few new mobile operators. Added country flags to MO selection screen. Fixed more crashed.
Beta 1.3 - 5/1/12 - Added a slew of new mobile operators, along with an option to remove it (for contract-free phones, direct from OEM, etc)
Beta 1.2 - 4/29/12 - Fixed crashing bug. Added Telekom MO (thanks contable). Added OEM logos.
Beta 1.1 - 4/28/12 - Removed device spoofing (it can break DRM, thanks for the heads up GoodDayToDie). Added Sprint MO.
Beta 1 - 4/28/12 - Initial release
Thanks to
Heathcliff74 for the wonderful WP7 Root Tools SDK
GoodDayToDie for his homebrew efforts, which I use for file IO
balcsida for providing new icons
It doesn't launch on my Titan...so it will probably need a higher level of unlock than a Dev unlock.
You'll need "root" unlock, meaning either full-unlock or WP7 Root Tools and the app marked as "Trusted".
@ken52787: Very cool! I was actually working on something very much like this. Would you mind sharing your source code? If I can merge what I was working on into what you've already got, that would be great.
One very big concern, though: changing the OEM name in DeviceTargetingInfo (which is what I assume you're doing to make apps like Nokia Drive work) is extremely dangerous. Although I'm not sure exactly what the trigger is (suggestions have been things like leaving it changed for more than 24 hours, or changing it more than 5 times), changing that value can permanently break the Marketplace DRM on your phone. All your Marketplace apps will stop launching, and you won't be able to install more. The only solution we know of is a hard-reset or a restore point; returning the registry value to the original OEM name does not help.
GoodDayToDie said:
You'll need "root" unlock, meaning either full-unlock or WP7 Root Tools and the app marked as "Trusted".
@ken52787: Very cool! I was actually working on something very much like this. Would you mind sharing your source code? If I can merge what I was working on into what you've already got, that would be great.
One very big concern, though: changing the OEM name in DeviceTargetingInfo (which is what I assume you're doing to make apps like Nokia Drive work) is extremely dangerous. Although I'm not sure exactly what the trigger is (suggestions have been things like leaving it changed for more than 24 hours, or changing it more than 5 times), changing that value can permanently break the Marketplace DRM on your phone. All your Marketplace apps will stop launching, and you won't be able to install more. The only solution we know of is a hard-reset or a restore point; returning the registry value to the original OEM name does not help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yikes! I was not aware of this. I took that out and reupped the xap.
And yes, I'll share the source soon, I just want to clean it up a bit first since it's rather sloppy at the moment
ken52787 said:
Here is an app I made to quickly and easily change marketplace settings. Similar apps exist already, but this one has a few features I've not seen in the other ones. This project was more of a way for me to learn about homebrew dev, but it resulted in a useful program so nothing wrong with that
The initial beta is a little rough around the edges, but should be stable. Please report any oddities you notice and provide feedback and suggestions.
What you can do
Change OEM marketplace - Included are Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, HTC, LG, Nokia, Samsung, and ZTE (although only HTC, LG, Nokia, and Samsung have accessible marketplaces)
Change MO marketplace - Included are AT&T, Orange, Sprint, and Verizon (I had a hard time finding other marketplaces. If you are on a carrier other than these, please send me your settings so I can include them, the program will automate this for you with your permission)
Change the maximum file size cap over 3g - Download larger apps and podcasts over 3G without needing a wifi connection
Lock the settings - Prevents your settings from reverting back in a day or two when the marketplace updates itself
Who can run this?
You need a root unlock. So either a full unlock or WP7 Root Tools with this app marked as Trusted.
Changelog
Beta 1.1 - 4/28/12 - Removed device spoofing (it can break DRM, thanks for the heads up GoodDayToDie). Added Sprint MO.
Beta 1 - 4/28/12 - Initial release
Thanks to
Heathcliff74 for the wonderful WP7 Root Tools SDK
GoodDayToDie for his homebrew efforts, which I use for file IO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not working with my mozart?
life25ak said:
not working with my mozart?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What kind of unlock do you have?
curious... why are XAPs being posted in this sub-forum when their is a WP7 Software Development sub-forum?
nice looking app, though. curious as to how you 'locked' the Market.
would love to add that into my version of this app, Market Select.
The Software Development sub-forum always seemsed more focused on general app development rather than tweaks to the OS. Last time I was reading that forum, it seemed like it was mostly stuff using the official APIs, too. Maybe I should start reading it again, though...
You can lock in changes to Marketplace configurations by setting read-only on the XML files.
@OP: Thanks for the quick fix, and you're welcome for the tip! The 1.1 version works well on my phone. Two (related) suggestions, though:
1: The messageboxes the pop up at first run block the UI from loading. If the UI doesn't load within a few seconds (10 or so) the OS will kill the app. You may want to cause them to pop up on a delay or something...
2: There's no option to send your MO (or OEM) files after the initial messagebox prompt. I'd like to send you the T-Mobile US files (not that the TMoUS apps are super-exciting) but the app was killed on me before I could click it! I can go pull them off the filesystem manually, of course...
Thx for this app.
I have sent you the settings for Telekom Germany (T-Mobile DE), would be nice if you could add them...
GoodDayToDie said:
@OP: Thanks for the quick fix, and you're welcome for the tip! The 1.1 version works well on my phone. Two (related) suggestions, though:
1: The messageboxes the pop up at first run block the UI from loading. If the UI doesn't load within a few seconds (10 or so) the OS will kill the app. You may want to cause them to pop up on a delay or something...
2: There's no option to send your MO (or OEM) files after the initial messagebox prompt. I'd like to send you the T-Mobile US files (not that the TMoUS apps are super-exciting) but the app was killed on me before I could click it! I can go pull them off the filesystem manually, of course...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See what I mean about sloppy coding and wanting to clean it up before releasing the source
App works good on my hd7. Although during first run it made a backup. Then asked me if I wanted to sent my carrier setting since you don't have them. I was going to then the app crashed and never gave me the option again. App runs fine other than the first run when it crashed.
Sent from my HD7 T9292 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
I posted a quick update. This one fixes the crashing bug.
Thx for the quick update...
Sent from my OMNIA7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Very Cool..!!! Thank you! Htc Arrive
v1.1 and v 1.2 are crash
it mean i install this app then set trust on root...it open but quickly get out
so;
whats the problem !?
Doesn't load on my Dev Unlocked TITAN.
Says something about an error occurred while reading current store config
VegaNovus said:
Doesn't load on my Dev Unlocked TITAN.
Says something about an error occurred while reading current store config
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need a full unlock or root access with WP7 Root Tools. Dev unlock is not enough (the phone doesn't like me messing about in the file system)
Also, I just posted an update. No changes other than adding a bunch of new MOs. Thanks to everyone who submitted them! I have some ideas for beta 2, if only I could find some time to work on it I also plan on releasing the source when I get that version out.
Using 1.3 with Samsung Focus... Set the Trust to ON through RootTools as well.
I Get the "an error occured while reading your current store config".
If i click on OK application shows the main screen briefly and then exists. Otherwise shows the following error:::
CreateFile failed for \My Documents\Zune\PimentoCache\Keepers\LKKG_MOStoreConfig.xml! GetLastError: 2
Thanks.
You're sure it's two Ks ("LKKG_MOStoreConfig.xml")? That's a typo, then. It would explain why you're getting an error of File Not Found as well.
Hi, I'm Trent and I co-created AppThwack, a service for on-demand automated testing of Android apps on real devices. Basically, you upload an apk and a couple minutes later you get screenshots and logcat dumps from actual phones and tablets we host.
Beta Users Needed
We're currently looking for devs to join our private beta. You can message me or sign up on our website and I'll get a beta code to you shortly. We're trying to stress the system and make additions/adjustments so the service is as useful as possible for developers.
Current Features
Real phones and tablets: About 20 high- and low-end devices and we add a few more every week.
Fast: See results in real time. Full test runs on all devices takes a minute or two to complete.
Selectable default tests: Install, launch, UI Monkey, Cleanup
Configurable tests: For example, specify the number of UI Monkey events and seed the randomizer
JUnit including Robotium support via uploaded test packages
Screenshots in portrait and landscape on all devices
Logcat and filterable logcat viewer
High-level results sortable by device or test
Full stack-traces for any exception that occurs
Future
We're working on adding more test frameworks like monkeyrunner and more default tests, particularly performance tests that measure battery consumption, CPU usage, etc. We're also adding more data visualization and charting so it's easy to see what some of the gathered statistics mean.
We plan to launch soon, but the beta program will remain in effect even after that. The service will follow a freemium model. Again, the beta is free and we're going to keep it in place even after we eventually launch.
Inter-device automation
Our back-end supports device-to-device automation, so if you have an app or scenario that you'd like to test that involves multiple devices or interaction with other devices, even non-Android devices, let me know. We're looking for people to help us develop how this service will be exposed.
Edit: I can't post links, but if you search for "appthwack" you'll find it. Btw, I've apparently lurked since October, 2008. Yikes.
Just wondering will this support of testing apps that require root?
Also any chance we can see like a live pic of the device when it installs the app and opens it?
Sent from my VS910 4G using xda premium
motodroidfreak said:
Just wondering will this support of testing apps that require root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now it does not and all of our phones are as close to stock as possible. I'll look into making it an option so we automatically root before your app installs and then un-root after the tests are complete. Root opens up some new possibilities, both good and bad, so I'll need to think about it.
motodroidfreak said:
Also any chance we can see like a live pic of the device when it installs the app and opens it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! The launch test takes a screenshot in both landscape and portrait. You can see all screenshots sorted by device by clicking "By Device" or "By Test" and clicking the "Screenshots" link in the blue box at the top.
Screenshots also show up in each launch test log so you can see the context as the shot was captured. Logcat dumps show up in the same place (Link from the blue box at the top will open a filterable and highlighted log viewer).
Alright thanks I'll try it out tonight
Sent from my VS910 4G using xda premium
Holy cow. Didn't realize such web service existed.
I just signed up and currently having a look around. Is it possible for me to join the beta? Thanks!
Is it possible for a "free" upgrade for my account? Heh just asking
EDIT : Created a new project. Then I'm stuck. The "Runs" tab is empty.
EDIT again : Oh.. uploading had error previously. Uploading again.
Very interesting project. Good luck to your team and I hope I can be a good beta tester
Realy interesting, for us, almost of our apps needs root access, so please think about adding root to your service
Test on my Sensation
Will test on my sensation
test
nullFactory said:
Hi, I'm Trent and I co-created AppThwack, a service for on-demand automated testing of Android apps on real devices. Basically, you upload an apk and a couple minutes later you get screenshots and logcat dumps from actual phones and tablets we host.
Beta Users Needed
We're currently looking for devs to join our private beta. You can message me or sign up on our website and I'll get a beta code to you shortly. We're trying to stress the system and make additions/adjustments so the service is as useful as possible for developers.
Current Features
Real phones and tablets: About 20 high- and low-end devices and we add a few more every week.
Fast: See results in real time. Full test runs on all devices takes a minute or two to complete.
Selectable default tests: Install, launch, UI Monkey, Cleanup
Configurable tests: For example, specify the number of UI Monkey events and seed the randomizer
JUnit including Robotium support via uploaded test packages
Screenshots in portrait and landscape on all devices
Logcat and filterable logcat viewer
High-level results sortable by device or test
Full stack-traces for any exception that occurs
Future
We're working on adding more test frameworks like monkeyrunner and more default tests, particularly performance tests that measure battery consumption, CPU usage, etc. We're also adding more data visualization and charting so it's easy to see what some of the gathered statistics mean.
We plan to launch soon, but the beta program will remain in effect even after that. The service will follow a freemium model. Again, the beta is free and we're going to keep it in place even after we eventually launch.
Inter-device automation
Our back-end supports device-to-device automation, so if you have an app or scenario that you'd like to test that involves multiple devices or interaction with other devices, even non-Android devices, let me know. We're looking for people to help us develop how this service will be exposed.
Edit: I can't post links, but if you search for "appthwack" you'll find it. Btw, I've apparently lurked since October, 2008. Yikes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to test the tool, can you share with me..
Tested
Tested the tool, seems too good..
Suggestion : In-case if you want to reach maximum number of developer. Allow developer to use has free.
IDEA : You can request developer to post about you're tool on there app page, website & play store... As you're giving the tool as free you will get enough number of people to view & use the tool.. if the developer agree then you will allow him to use the tool for free of cost..
As a developer am ready to use the tool & post about you in my app & other places too...
This is a great tool, just uploaded an apk of my app that's in my signature and it worked, with a couple of NullPointers from the Play Store's licence service. That shouldn't happen, and doesn't on any of my devices, so I suspect it's an issue on your end. Any idea why?
HTML:
java.lang.NullPointerException at com.google.android.vending.licensing.LicenseValidator.verify(LicenseValidator.java:99) at com.google.android.vending.licensing.LicenseChecker$ResultListener$2.run(LicenseChecker.java:228) at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:605) at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:92) at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:137) at android.os.HandlerThread.run(HandlerThread.java:60)
HTML:
FATAL EXCEPTION: background thread java.lang.NullPointerException at com.google.android.vending.licensing.LicenseValidator.verify(LicenseValidator.java:99) at com.google.android.vending.licensing.LicenseChecker$ResultListener$2.run(LicenseChecker.java:228) at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:608) at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:92) at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:156) at android.os.HandlerThread.run(HandlerThread.java:60)
Borland
We are using Silk Mobile for end to end applications testing. Do you ever used this tool?
What an interesting service! I'll look into this from work tomorrow.
Not having used this at all, the first things which do spring to mind are:
-streaming realtime logcat
-a (skype?) connection with live streaming video of the app running, so you can see layouts/animations etc.
Anyway, I'm going to check this out tomorrow!
Quinny899 said:
This is a great tool, just uploaded an apk of my app that's in my signature and it worked, with a couple of NullPointers from the Play Store's licence service. That shouldn't happen, and doesn't on any of my devices, so I suspect it's an issue on your end. Any idea why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for checking out the service. My immediate guess it that this is caused by the absence of a default Play account. Many devices have no account as one of our supported frameworks, calabash, removes accounts upon cleanup after script completion. On the plus-side, if you were to write scripts you should be able to add a temporary account from the test itself.
Highly unlikely you'd hit this bug in a real world situation, but it is a bug nonetheless.
Really awesome service! Can't test it for the moment as it doesn't support root apps, but this is really a great concept :good:
Maybe you could build a superuser permissions manager which would grant root access but makes sure to keep /system mounted as read-only, this way no harm could be done to the devices and us root apps devs could use your awesome service.
I actually got quite a few ideas, you could delete the mount binary in /system/xbin and use it in an internal appthwack app's private data, so that it's the only app able to call this binary and thus to mount /system.
I'd definitely subscribe to AppThwack if it had root support.
If you want help with developing this kind of secure root environment for the testing, I'd gladly contribute.
EDIT : Strangely enough, I just tested it with my app (which asks for root in the launcher activity, so I really didn't expect it to work) and had 0 failures, 75 pass.
How comes ? Have you already added root support ?^^
Either way this is really cool, I'm going to spread the words and most likely subscribe a paid account :good:
Is there somewhere we can see pictures of your device lab? Gotta be one hell of a device museum you got over there^^
Androguide.fr said:
Really awesome service! Can't test it for the moment as it doesn't support root apps, but this is really a great concept :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks for the kind words!
EDIT : Strangely enough, I just tested it with my app (which asks for root in the launcher activity, so I really didn't expect it to work) and had 0 failures, 75 pass.
How comes ? Have you already added root support ?^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is pretty interesting. The only two rooted devices are a couple running CM. I'll look into this further, and if you have any ideas I'd love to hear them as well.
Either way this is really cool, I'm going to spread the words and most likely subscribe a paid account :good:
Is there somewhere we can see pictures of your device lab? Gotta be one hell of a device museum you got over there^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet, I really appreciate it. As soon as I have the number of posts to do so I'll post a pic of the lab.
Some things can not be automated, like scanning a QR code or reading/writing to an NFC tag. Do you plan on adding "manual tests" for a fee?
This would be really great to test apps on specific hardware.
worldtiki said:
Some things can not be automated, like scanning a QR code or reading/writing to an NFC tag. Do you plan on adding "manual tests" for a fee?
This would be really great to test apps on specific hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the question! Our primary focus is on automation. There are existing test houses and services that will execute manual tests like those you describe, but of course because of the manual component they're slow and expensive.
We often push folks to break their testing down into more granular chunks. For instance, verify you can take a picture and deal with the image, even if it's not the QR code or whatever your app usually consumes. This will find problems with simply using the camera and resulting image location. Now, have a separate test that processes a photo of a QR code, but feed the image in as part of the test. This removes the camera component from the analysis part, meaning it's now possible to benchmark the image analysis algorithm on all devices.
With a combination of a service like ours where you test very, very quickly on tons of devices, you can now do some more UX/end-to-end tests on a handful of devices yourself. This hybrid approach is great for finding the vast majority of issues before release.
nice post
Realy interesting, for us
Awesome tool !
No Developer can test his/her app on many devices. But your tool ... A W E S O M E ! ... I Used it yesterday to test two of my new apps ... Found some error is my app on certain devices which i'd have never found without AppThwack .. :good: :good:
Hello!
I'm software developer from Russia, and made one very popular app in local market. Very soon I realized that I need an ability to give licensed version of app for my friends or reviewers or someone else.
Unfortunately AppHub doesn't provide such functionality(private distribution is pain in ass), so I created a webservice for myself.
After two days I realized that it may be useful for other developers, so here it is:
promo.g33k.ru (here I wanted to post url, but I can't due to low post count. You may find it in my profile->interests)
Now it has:
- JSON/SDK with RSA1024/SHA1 sign for additional security checks
- Binary SDK available
- Russian localization(if anyone cares ) (btw, if you can help translating to other language(s) or correct english misspellings - i will appreciate this).
Now this service works in beta mode.
So for developers I have two questions:
1) Is such service useful for you?
2) How to develop it further, in which way?
Not yet clear
I am sorry, but after reading your post and also checking your website I am still not sure what you offer. For me there is just not enough information to understand and then judge the usefulness of your service.
Maybe you could give a step-by-step scenario: Dev does this, then interested user does that, dev then this ...
Ok, I'll try to describe a little more details:
1) Developer wants to add capability of promo codes in his app(to give some specific users full licensed app).
The first problem is that developer need his own server for checking of promo code validity(hardcoding is not an option, of course).
2) So, Developer registers in my service, add his app's guid to his app list and create a promo code for specific app via web.
3) Developer adds support for promo codes in his app by:
a) adding an text box for user to enter promode
b) adding a web request to specific URL for promocode activation
c) adding to his license check web request for checking is current user activated a promo code.
Benefits for developer:
- Add support for promo codes without owning a server.
- Simple way to give full version of program to friends
Benefits for users:
- User may found promo code for specific app somewhere and use it to get full version of app in simple manner.
Benefits for reviewers/portals:
- Developers can easily give promo code for reviewing purpose or as giveaway for news post.
Clear now
Thanks for the additional info, now it's clear
Well yes, sounds useful. Properly implemented is probably really easier than Microsoft's "closed beta" mechanism, and of course can be used for other, non-beta apps as well.
The icing on the cake would be a "frame application" as sample code that basically does nothing more than asking for a promo code and then check against the list of valid codes on your server.
Sounds intresting but how do you ensure security?
chabun, I thought about security and situation is same as with default checking for trial - there is no security Man-in-the-Middle and direct cracking of xap will work, and there is no way out. I could use RSA signing for MitM, but still cracking of xap is very easy option today, so no one really interested will try to use MitM. When WP8 SDK will be out(I believe it will be in several weeks) - some developers may implement trial checks in native code - this will be much harder to crack.
As for server part there are following possible problems
- App's ID squatting(same as domain, someone else could reserve developer's app's guid). Don't know yet what to do with this, may be think about it later when this happens?
- Promocode's for App ID bruteforce - could be easily avoided via server throttling, if this ever happens - i'll add such checks
- Server DDoS - every webmaster's nightmare, I hope this never happens(or my Amazon AWS will pour my purse empty
rbrunner7, nice idea, I'll add a sample app as soon as possible on site.
This looks like an interesting concept
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Yop, you can never avoid direct cracking... However, RSA signing would be good I'd say as it will avoid MitM - with MitM you could create simple tools which can be used by every noob outhere. Cracking xaps requires some skill and it will need an unlocked WP7 as well.
I can see this working i have been thinking about something similar also. You can encrypt the data on device before sending it off to the cloud, you can than verify the encrypted data with a password and compare it to the codes registered on the server. Than link a code to a certain device id (once the code becomes 'registered') if a certain code is already coupled to a deice id and the device is not the same than the app will jump back into trial mode. Otherwise one can use the paid mode.
This can defenetly work and will prevent reselling th codes. Although it requires a server. And users can still hack/patch the app ofcourse but that will require an unlocked device so I should not worry to much about it.
Also to prevent spoofing you can frequently check with the server if this device is legitetmately registered.
Marvin_S said:
I can see this working i have been thinking about something similar also. You can encrypt the data on device before sending it off to the cloud, you can than verify the encrypted data with a password and compare it to the codes registered on the server. Than link a code to a certain device id (once the code becomes 'registered') if a certain code is already coupled to a deice id and the device is not the same than the app will jump back into trial mode. Otherwise one can use the paid mode.
This can defenetly work and will prevent reselling th codes. Although it requires a server. And users can still hack/patch the app ofcourse but that will require an unlocked device so I should not worry to much about it.
Also to prevent spoofing you can frequently check with the server if this device is legitetmately registered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought of... private/public key
chabun, so, for example, how about following scenario:
for each developer server creates public/private key pair.
when checking license on server: if success server encodes userid with developer private key
when checking license in app: server response decoding via public key(hardcoded in app) and comparing to userId. if ok -> licensed.
You might want to ask @ngreader guys on twitter. They do have this concept implemented in their app.
diverofdark said:
chabun, so, for example, how about following scenario:
for each developer server creates public/private key pair.
when checking license on server: if success server encodes userid with developer private key
when checking license in app: server response decoding via public key(hardcoded in app) and comparing to userId. if ok -> licensed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if it would be good to encode the request to the server as well but otherwise it sounds really cool now... I'll use this service when I need this (and tell my friends about it)
Here is one way to do it http://stackoverflow.com/questions/599837/how-to-generate-and-validate-a-software-license-key
wpxbox said:
Here is one way to do it http://stackoverflow.com/questions/599837/how-to-generate-and-validate-a-software-license-key
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, what they suggest is not as good as diverofdark's service which is a lot more secure and still easy to use for the customers...
Greetings everyone!
Today I updated promo.g33k.ru, now it has:
- more detailed about page,
- SDK now includes RSA1024/SHA1 sign for additional security checks
- Binary SDK available
- Russian localization(if anyone cares ) (btw, if you can help translating to other language(s) or correct english misspellings - i will appreciate this).
- Many minor bugfixes.
So, from now this service works in beta mode
diverofdark said:
Greetings everyone!
Today I updated promo.g33k.ru, now it has:
- more detailed about page,
- SDK now includes RSA1024/SHA1 sign for additional security checks
- Binary SDK available
- Russian localization(if anyone cares ) (btw, if you can help translating to other language(s) or correct english misspellings - i will appreciate this).
- Many minor bugfixes.
So, from now this service works in beta mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I will check this out
Hey diverofdark
It would be nice if you update the first post in the thread with all information. That's the way it's usually done in the forum.
A possible user (here dev ) can read it and without having to browse the whole thread, he can use your promocode service...
Thanks for mentioning it, I updated the first post.