We eagerly await, some more than others, the arrival of the new version of Android that we know from Gingerbread. Many rumors suggested that yesterday, the 11th, the new version of Android SDK but as we see it has us still waiting.
Today from the same official Android blog for developers It is said that a series of new functionalities or features in the Android Market Developers are advised to update their applications with some requirements that are explained, such as the inclusion or modification of some attributes that, if not executed, may cause these applications to be invisible on some devices.
Unfortunately, they don't mention what these new features or implementations will be that will arrive in the Market, and I would bet they will arrive when Gingerbread is released, but what is certain is that they are already sending one new version of the Android Market which corresponds to version 2.12.
This update will not be notified in the notification bar (redundancy intended) as we are used to when there is an improvement to any application, it will be updated invisibly to the user.
To know which version you have you just have to go to menu — applications-manage applications-click on Market, a screen will appear as the initial capture of the post. Google is preparing the arrival of Android 2.3.
New features of the Android Market and its evolution
Through Android Police we learned that, once again, the New Android Market update before it's officially available. This would be the version 3.1.3 And for those of us still using the official Market version (since the previously leaked version was problematic), we'll discover how much better everything has changed. Furthermore, there are references to later version numbers, such as... 3.3.11 which introduce additional features (for example, voice search and new automatic update options), while version 2.12 is being quietly rolled out to many devices.
Get ready to discover the new interface and usability improvementsIn addition to being able to install this new Market and start enjoying it right away. Although over time Android Market evolved into Google Play Store, many of these changes laid the foundation for what we understand today as a app update and management center complete, secure and convenient for both end users and developers.
As you can see, the entire interface has changed, now following a aesthetics more similar to the Honeycomb versionNow we'll have a top menu with tabs from left to right. Tapping or swiping across the screen will display its contents. This tabbed approach makes it easier for users to discover new apps, update existing ones, and manage their purchases with fewer taps and in a more visual way.
Tab structure and sections of the new Android Market
The new Market introduced a very clear tabbed navigation system. Each tab organizes the content and improves the visibility of the most relevant applications. The main sections are:
- Categories: where the old sections of the Android Market are displayed and, by clicking on any of them, it will take us to the Best Sellers This helps you discover the most popular apps organized by topic, which is essential now that there are thousands of apps available.
- Featured: which will display a nice mosaic, from top to bottom, with what the Android Market considers to be major interestClicking on any of them will link to that application or section. This area functions as a dynamic showcase, where Google can highlight new products, editorial recommendations, and promotions.
- Rest of eyelashesTop Sellers, Top Free Apps, Top Hits, Top New Sellers, Top New Free Apps, and Popular Apps will all follow the same template design, displaying the highest-rated apps from top to bottom in two columns, based on Market statistics. This organization makes it easy to quickly find the most downloaded apps or those experiencing strong growth.
With this structure, the user can move seamlessly between paid and free apps, spot trends, and see which apps have better acceptance at any time, something very useful if you want to install only quality tools or well-rated games.
New application form design and visible details
Clicking on an application will show us a new design of its detailed layoutalthough some of them are already present in the current version:
- Under the name, and depending on the application's state, it will show us the developer name and the buttons for Open, Uninstall, Download or BuyThis ensures that the main actions are always accessible at the top.
- Next will follow the app screenshotsTapping on them will display them full size, and swiping will reveal the rest (there may be a bug in this version, as it only shows the previous image, not the next one). The screenshots provide a quick overview of the interface and functionality without needing to read the entire description.
- They've moved the most important information to the beginning of the description, and now it will show us key details such as the price, the date of last update and the size which space it will take up once installed on our Android device. Perhaps they should have included the version number, but even so, it makes the download decision much easier.
- Capitalizing on the success of Google+ and its link rating system known as +1, they've added this feature, which is perhaps one of the most significant since the previous unofficial leaked update. It's important to note that to see this button and its ratings, you'll need to use the same Google account you use to register with Google and the Android Market. If you don't have a Google+ account, or if it's not the same as your Android Market account, you won't see any trace of the +1. This system encourages... social recommendations and helps identify trustworthy apps.
- Everything else will be in the style of the current official version, although they have included the description New Arrivalswhere we can see a history of the latest versions. This way, the user knows exactly what has changed in each update, which is highly valued when features are added, bugs are fixed, or security aspects are improved.
Over time, this card structure evolved into what we see today on Google Play: more space for reviews, permissions data, compatibility, and security notices, but the focus on displaying essential information at the beginning It was already present in this Market update.
Automatic updates and advanced app management
The folks at Google have released a new version (of numbering) 3.3.11) from the Android Market for mobile phones using that operating system. The main new features, in addition to the voice app searchWe must highlight the possibility of automatically update (without asking) all apps Of the device.
This feature aligns with what modern versions of the Google Play Store offer, where it is possible to:
- Update manually Android applications, one by one, from the list of apps with available updates.
- Update all at once With just one touch, it's perfect for updating your phone when you have time and a good connection.
- Activate Automatic Updates for all apps or only for specific ones, avoiding having to manually check for new versions.
However, to help us manage our meager mobile data plans, it's worth mentioning that it's possible to configure the application so that it only Update apps when connected to a WiFi networkHowever, it does need to be configured (the settings screen is quite clear on this). This option remains crucial today to avoid exhausting your data allowance in seconds when downloading large games or updates.
When an app updates, it may request new permitsIn that case, the system usually displays a warning asking the user to confirm whether they accept those permissions before completing the update. In some specific cases, it may also be necessary reboot the device to complete the installation, especially if system components are involved.
The installed applications will also be able to Automatically add your shortcut to the desktopIn addition to the usual addendum (performance and stability improvements), the Market now also features popularity statistics of the applications, which helps decide what to install based on the behavior of other users.
The update will automatically reach everyone with the previous version of the Market (and provided their device is running Froyo or higher), although it will likely take some time (we all know how these things go). This gradual rollout of updates is still in place: Google often releases new versions of the Market/Play Store and Android in stages to monitor for bugs and ensure stability.
Security, permissions, and user control over apps
As Android evolved from these initial Market versions, Google has been introducing continuous improvements in security, privacy, and permissions control that rely on the store system itself and on regular updates.
Among the most relevant aspects that have been integrated into the platform, and which complement the foundations laid by these versions of the Market, the following stand out:
- Developer identity verificationTo distribute apps via APK files, even outside the app store, developers are required to verify their identity. This reduces the spread of malware and protects users from fraudulent apps.
- Advanced malware detectionGoogle Play Protect and other system mechanisms analyze installed apps and updates for suspicious behavior, blocking or warning when they detect potential threats.
- Granular control of permitsInstead of accepting all permissions during installation, modern versions of Android allow you to authorize sensitive permissions (camera, microphone, location, local network, etc.) at the time of use, and revoke them later from the settings.
- Protection against scams and fraudulent callsAdditional layers of security have been incorporated to detect fraud patterns, bank scams, and applications that attempt to read or intercept OTP codes, blocking or limiting their access.
All this security reinforcement is complemented by system updates distributed through the store itself, allowing Google to improve components such as Android Runtime (ART), the photo selector, connectivity services, or notification management without needing to completely change the operating system version.
Additional configuration options: Purchase PIN and account switching
In conclusion, there are two very interesting new options that have been added to the Market settings and that remain fundamental to understanding how we manage our purchases and accounts on Google Play today:
- The first is that we can now configure a PIN (access key) This prevents unauthorized access to our preferences and, more importantly, serves as a validation system during app purchases. Just like an online purchase in a store, the app will ask for this PIN with each transaction, preventing serious problems if our phone unfortunately falls into the wrong hands.
- The second option already existed in the Honeycomb Android Market and was missing from the mobile version. Now we can choose between several Android Market accountsIf we have them linked to the accounts added to our mobile phone, this way, if you happen to have a personal Google Checkout account and a work account, you can switch between them to access the Android Market. However, be careful because apps purchased between different accounts will not be transferred, as purchases are strictly linked to each profile.
Over time, these possibilities gave way to more advanced functions, such as parental controlThe content restriction by age and extra protection through secure payment methods, but the core of the secure shopping experience was already present with the PIN and multi-account management.
Manual APK installation and device compatibility
And I highly recommend you download and install this update, because it doesn't seem to be causing the problems of the previous leaked version, and from what we've seen, it's all advantages. Remember that the installation will be through the APK download process and manual installation And that, in order to install an external application, you must have it activated in the Applications menu within Settings.
Furthermore, I can vouch for it; there's no need to be Root For it to work for you. The app works on almost all phones with Android 2.2 or higher and even on tablets with Honeycomb (tested on a Xoom 3.1 and Asus 3.2). This kind of broad compatibility laid the foundation for what happens today with updates distributed through Google Play, which can reach thousands of different models provided they meet the minimum version and hardware requirements.
Via | Android Police
On Xataka Android | The Android Market app is also getting a makeover
Download | Android Market 3.1.3 (free)
The evolution of Android Market into the current Google Play Store, with silent updates, improved app listings, popularity statistics, enhanced security, and both manual and smart automatic update options, makes keeping your apps up-to-date easier, safer, and more efficient, while also paving the way for new, more powerful and feature-rich versions of Android.
