I created an app for my company employees. They are receiving this App via a link I created on my website. On traditional apps that you download from the Market, your phone notifies you when there are updates available. You can program your phone to automatically update or let you choose when or if to update. My question is, can I have my app notify the users when a new update is available or automatically update the app? I know I can just email them when there are updates available, however, I work for ADT and we have thousands of employees.

Push Notifications Tech Guy. There are some implementation posts on here. Also, if you're just updating stuff from within your buzztouch dashboard, updates will automatically be performed when an app is opened or the home screen is navigated to.

No I am not talking about updating here on my dashboard. I am talking about the push notifications. How do I set up push notifications on V.1.4 or can I?

Or....if you update the binary, and users should install a new binary using the link on your website...you could... a) Create a simple file on your site that holds the latest update time, version number, whatever b) Create a simple method in the device (not sure how skilled you are?) that pinged the server for the simple 'modified date' value then save this on the device. c) If a newer version exists, prompt the user to visit a landing page you make that has the link to the app. This of course would take some understanding of java and how the download methods that already exist in the app work but I'm sure you could figure this out.

yeah, uh no...... I am clueless when it comes to Java. I am one of those people who need website like buzztouch or programs like Office publisher to build apps or websites. I have absolutely no knowledge in Java or HTML. Everythign I do requires the program or website to offer a simple drag and drop or upload feature for me to get it working...lol Oh well

Ah...OK, good to know. Can you just add a simple menu-item to the top of the list labeled 'check for updates' that points to a webpage you make with a link to update or a message that reads 'no updates needed.' Not sure how else to approach this. Android does not support push notifications easily and I'm afraid you'll struggle with implementing that process without much skill. I'll look into a few other ideas and see if I can come up with another SIMPLE solution. Nudge this post in a few days if you don't hear anything.

OK, Here is what I did, I created an Update button on my app that brought them to my update webpage. On my update webpage I created a button that said DOWNLOAD. On another page of my website I uploaded the file and attached the link to that file to the Download button on the first page ( I even tried just attatching the file directly to the button). If I don't have the app installed on my phone and I open a web browser and go directly to my website where the download button is, I am able to click the download button, download the file and install it. I can even go back to the URL and click on the same button to download the app over the previous app. However, If I have my app open, click on the UPDATE button, it will navigate to the DOWNLOAD button like normal, but when I click on the same DOWNLOAD button i clicked on using my browser, It will not download the app. Is there something I am missing?

It makes no sense to me. I mean, If I able to use the button to download and install the program via the web browser, how come I can't do the same through my app? My App's takes me to the same download site.

You can only install an app via the web using the native Android browser. The browser built into your app that is available to use by developers is NOT the same as using the native browser. Your link or instructions or process must lead users to the native browser.

@David, step in if this is the wrong approach but it works for me. @Tech Guy, in eclipse find the Screen_CustomURL.java file. Scroll a little way down and you'll see this code: //anything with an .mp3 extension if(url.contains('.mp3')){ useNativeIntent = 1; } //anything with an .zip extension if(url.contains('.zip')){ useNativeIntent = 1; Add some more code: //anything with an .apk extension if(url.contains('.apk')){ useNativeIntent = 1; } Don't forget to change the single quotes to double quotes.

Thx raveyd That partially worked...lol I was able to download, but now when I click on what I downloaded, it asked me if I want to replace the existing App (which is normal), I approve the replacement and click the Install button and it starts to install. However then I get the message Application not Installed . Any ideas?

is the .apk file signed? and 'debuggable' set to 'false' in the manifest.xml? Or on your phone have you activated 'Unknown sources' in Menu > Settings > Applications? I've had that error with all of the above lapses in concentration!

Yes it was signed, but I did think about that and resigned it just in case. Debuggable was set to true but I changed it to false and it still did the same thing. Also, my phone is set to allow unknown sources. Any other ideas?

Did I possibly choose the wrong manifest.xml? are there more than one? The one I checked was called AndroidManifest.xml

You checked the right file.. hmmmm.... Try deleting the existing app on your phone and see if the new app (with the additional .apk code in the java file) will do a regular install without the overwrite.

OK thanks, That worked! I guess it wouldn't allow me to install the new version because it had an extra .apk code in the java file. I tested to see if the update would work and it did allow me to override the existing program. Now my question is, Do I need to add that .apk code and change debugging to false everytime I make a change on this app or will it stay in programming?

Is there a code I can put in to have it automatically install the APP once it downloads? Right now I have to go to the file I donwloaded and click on it to start installing.

In uncertain territory now.. You need to set debugging to false for production apk's. Are you using the same eclipse project for each update? If so, you won't need to change anything. If you're creating new projects each time you would need to add the code each time to the java file and set each one to debuggable false. Don't know about auto install code. The Android marketplace works like that, so it's obviously possible, but I don't know how.

ok well yes I am currently using the same eclipse project. I understand that if I create a new project, I will have to do it all over. Thanks for your help. At least I got it working for updating the app.

No problem! Good luck with it

Actually, FYI (you probably already knew this)but when I update my app here on Buzztouch, (even though my phone is not connected to the pc, the app automatically updates on the phone. Will this happen with everyone who has my app? If so then it is not necessary to have an update button. Will Version 1.5 have the same capability? Is it doing this because I do not have the app on the market?