Download APK Files

[npiper05]

Hi All

What are some sites to download APK files? I have a Pandigital Novel that I'd like to get a few apps for.

Thanks

Nick

 

[Harry2]

SlideME | Android Community and Application Marketplace

Harry

 

[EarlyMon]

I take it the Pandigial does not have the Market.apk?

 

[Bob Maxey]

Hi All

What are some sites to download APK files? I have a Pandigital Novel that I'd like to get a few apps for.
Thanks

Nick

I went there and had a look. Is this a Warez site? I see Angry Birds listed. Is it the full version or their trial version? If legit, no problem. If not, it is a big problem. So I ask before getting my feathers in a ruffle.

Bob Maxey Hates IP Theft

 

[Tempusfugit]

I went there and had a look. Is this a Warez site? I see Angry Birds listed. Is it the full version or their trial version? If legit, no problem. If not, it is a big problem. So I ask before getting my feathers in a ruffle.

Bob Maxey Hates IP Theft

*puts a big gold star by bob maxey's name on the board

 

[Bob Maxey]

*puts a big gold star by bob maxey's name on the board

Gold is always nice, in star, comet, or planet form. Bob is not picky.

I do indeed HATE this sort of thing. You should see what happens on the iPad forum when a source for clearly stolen IP is given that allows one to DL stolen property. Post usually never makes it past the mods.

That said, perhaps the aformentioned site is simply making trials or free stuff available. I ask to avoid accusing someone of some untoward behavior.

Bob Maxey

 

[mikedt]

I went there and had a look. Is this a Warez site? I see Angry Birds listed. Is it the full version or their trial version? If legit, no problem. If not, it is a big problem. So I ask before getting my feathers in a ruffle.

Angry Birds on Android is free. AFAIK it's paid on iDevices but free on Android. I also see full version Angry Birds in the 'free' section of the Android Market on my phone as well, not 'Lite' or 'Demo'.

That site appears to be legit as well, not warez. TBH I wasn't really seeing any more on there than what I see in the 'Free' section of the Android Market. Market on my phone only shows free apps and games anyway, due to location.

Bob Maxey Hates IP Theft

...and so does mikedt...absolutely disgusting.

 

[Bob Maxey]

Angry Birds on Android is free. AFAIK it's paid on iDevices but free on Android. I also see full version Angry Birds in the 'free' section of the Android Market on my phone as well, not 'Lite' or 'Demo'.

That site appears to be legit as well, not warez. TBH I wasn't really seeing any more on there than what I see in the 'Free' section of the Android Market. Market on my phone only shows free apps and games anyway, due to location.



...and so does mikedt...absolutely disgusting.

I once downloaded AB for free from the Apple market. As I recall, it was a "Lite" version or something other than the .99 cent versions I see today. I am not an AB expert. Since there are (were) paid versions of AB on the Apple site, it seems reasonable that they are paid versions on the Android Market.

I was just curious about what kind of apps are being made available for free on the Internet. My point is, as Android matures, lots of sites will appear where one can DL paid apps (Warez) for free. A terrible thing indeed.

Bob Maxey

 

[EarlyMon]

Yeah, it's like they oughta get a mod in here or something asking questions.

 

[npiper05]

Gold is always nice, in star, comet, or planet form. Bob is not picky.

I do indeed HATE this sort of thing. You should see what happens on the iPad forum when a source for clearly stolen IP is given that allows one to DL stolen property. Post usually never makes it past the mods.

That said, perhaps the aformentioned site is simply making trials or free stuff available. I ask to avoid accusing someone of some untoward behavior.

Bob Maxey

Thanks for the reply Bob. I'm not 100% sure what a Warez site is. My Pandigital Novel does not have Market, so I'm primarily looking for a legit, safe way to download APK files to my Novel. If this site isn't legit, any other suggestions? I also have a G1 (I know, it's old). It's a developers version. Is there a way to download apps and place them on the SD card and then move them to my Novel?

Nick

 

[mikedt]

I once downloaded AB for free from the Apple market. As I recall, it was a "Lite" version or something other than the .99 cent versions I see today. I am not an AB expert. Since there are (were) paid versions of AB on the Apple site, it seems reasonable that they are paid versions on the Android Market.

I just checked what version I did download free from the Market, and it is full version of AB. I don't see paid games in the Market here though.

I was just curious about what kind of apps are being made available for free on the Internet. My point is, as Android matures, lots of sites will appear where one can DL paid apps (Warez) for free. A terrible thing indeed.

Bob Maxey

Bob I know there are a heck of a lot of warez sites out there.

I wonder though, where I am Google Market does not distribute paid apps and games. Some apps and games might be available for free here, and paid in other regions? Like the way Google has free MP3s here, but AFAIK nowhere else, not even Hong Kong.

 

[alostpacket]

I'm pretty sure SlideMe is legit but be wary of the freeware one.

It (the freeware site) is not exactly a "warez site" in the traditional sense. But they are most certainly not authorized to distribute some of the apps they are distributing (such as Adobe Flash, Angry Birds and I think I saw some Google apps). They may be free but I'm sure the developers did not upload the apks there, nor want them there. Plus, you wont know if you're getting a legit apk or a modified one.

 

[SoFLO]

Removed the link to the first site in the original post as it seemed like it could be sketchy. Better safe than sorry. SlideME however from the looks of it seems legitimate.

Just a friendly reminder to those yet to post in this thread...no linking to warez sites

 

[Bob Maxey]

Thanks for the reply Bob. I'm not 100% sure what a Warez site is. My Pandigital Novel does not have Market, so I'm primarily looking for a legit, safe way to download APK files to my Novel. If this site isn't legit, any other suggestions? I also have a G1 (I know, it's old). It's a developers version. Is there a way to download apps and place them on the SD card and then move them to my Novel?

Nick

Hi Nick

In answer to your query regarding SD cards and your device, I do not know, so I cant answer. I do store apps on my SD card but I do not run them from the card.

To be clear, I am not saying the site is up to no good. I am wary of web sites that provide apps available on the Market or App Store for free. Because there are ways to DL stolen software and with a rooted phone or a jailbroken iPad, it is very easy to steal software.

A Warez site is a site that typically offers things like software for free that costs you money to buy. Being digital, software can be quickly downloaded and copied and spread across the Internet. No shortage of ways to bypass registration or serial numbers, either.

This is not the usual trial stuff freely available form a million web sites, but illegal copies of things like Windows 7, MS Office, and a thousand other programs.

These sites sometimes offer software to break the publisher's product keys and registration info, or to unlock trial editions so they will run past the trial offer limits.

Then there are the various Torrent sites that are often used to trade illegally copied software. Most of these sites should be shut down permanently because despite the arguments these sites do not host the product (or other sites that link to stolen software) we all know where to get stolen software and in many cases, you will see it on one of a thousand web sites established specifically for trading in stolen property.

Although, some people use these sites for legal reasons, by and large, if you want illegal stuff, you look for Torrent or Warez sites. When a bar trades in drugs and hookers, you shut down the bar and the arguments that they also sell beer and offer free Beer Nuts matters very little. Some sites are just bad. But I digress.

So to be clear, I am just asking about the site. Not sure if it is legitimate or not so I will not accuse anyone of illegal activity.

Cheers,

Bob Maxey

 

[mikedt]

Myself, I'm vary wary of any software distributed outside of the authorised channels. That certainly goes for any Android software, free or otherwise, distributed outside of the Android Market. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40857219/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/
'BOSTON — A powerful virus targeting smart phones in China running Google's Android operating system may represent the most sophisticated bug to target mobile devices to date, security researchers said on Thursday.'

Same certainly goes for any proprietary Windows, Mac and Linux software, e.g. Adobe Flash. Because one does not know if the software has been tampered with or not.

BTW I've only ever pirated one Android application, Tapatalk. I had a friend email it as it's NOT available in China. Although I now use the official Phandroid software for AF.

 

[Harry2]

Have a look at that article ...
Just Browsing - Applications outside the Android Market | Android Central

Harry

 

[Slug]

A very useful article Harry, thanks.

In addition, don't overlook simply dropping a developer an email explaining that you don't have Market access and asking if there are any alternatives. Most devs I know will go out of their way to assist someone interested in their work.

 

[ppacie]

I wanted to know if is it legally to host APK files in your personal site or not ?
To host free apps means to break the Google rules or not ?

(Always talking about free apps that are posted in Android Market)

The aim of knowing this could be, for example, to build a website and host APK files for that people who doesn't have access to Android Market.

 

[EarlyMon]

With few exceptions, that would be copyright infringement, subject to a DCMA takedown or worse.

 

[ppacie]

So, for example, the following sites are ilegally, right ?
http://www.1mobile.com
getjar . com
1mobile . com
appbrain . com

I mean all these sites host apps (or have a link to) and you can download the APK file from them.

 

[EarlyMon]

AppBrain in particular is certainly legal.

Seriously - if you're going to pursue this, make sure you can afford a lawyer.

It's a bad idea to simply decide you can create a web site with apk downloads without any coordination with the app authors or the other legal niceties.

 

[ppacie]

Yes, I believe that AppBrain is legal cause they finally link to AndroidMarket.

Well, thank you very much for your help EarlyMon.

I'm a new Android user (also new forum user) but very happy for the support you bring here.

 

[EarlyMon]

My pleasure - you need anything, just send me a private message (PM) - you'll find your stuff under the User CP link in the upper left of every page here.

 

[Bob Maxey]

I wanted to know if is it legally to host APK files in your personal site or not ?
To host free apps means to break the Google rules or not ?

(Always talking about free apps that are posted in Android Market)

The aim of knowing this could be, for example, to build a website and host APK files for that people who doesn't have access to Android Market.

EarlyMon is correct. Perhaps I can add a few random thoughts in handy list form.

1- Visit Google's android web site and look at the legal stuff. If unclear, ask a few questions by email.

2- Assume whatever you want to do is illegal or against Google's TOS until you verify what you are allowed to do and not do.

For example, you are allowed to use the little green Android Robot (within Google's guidelines) but you are forbidden to use the familiar "Android" typeface. I also recall that you cannot change the colors, but do not rely on me, ask questions because a TOS agreement can change.

3- Google does not own the APK files, the developers do. So if you want to offer free downloads, deal with the developers, not Google. Unless there is some sort of agreement between Google and developers. Ask each app developer if it is ok to offer their programs and by GOD, comply with their wishes and their IP rules.

4- Make sure everyone involved says ok and never, ever offer warez.

Anything else, EarlyMon?

Bob

 

[EarlyMon]

5 - Ensure links back to developers' sites

6 - Ensure you have a hold-harmless statement for yourself and that you're not responsible for any app content

7 - File copies of all agreements offsite

8 - Inform ISP of intentions of site and make agreements available to ISP on-demand

9 - Copyright your site