Google recently sent out a notification about the Android Market getting some changes, and they have arrived in a big way. The Android Market publishing interface has been hit with several big changes, and the assumption is that the market itself is going to be updated very soon, too.
Anyone who owns an Android device must know how frustrating it can be to navigate the Android Market and find what you’re looking for. However, it looks like the coming changes might help alleviate that problem a little bit.
The new features to the publishing interface for developers are as follows:
- High Resolution Application Icon – 512w x 512h, 24 bit PNG or JPEG (no alpha). This seems to be a required field now
- Feature Graphic – 1024w x 500h, 24 bit PNG or JPEG (no alpha), will be downsized to mini or micro
- Promotional Video – Enter YouTube URL
Also, Google officially says this of the new Android Market publishing interface for devs:
Hello,
We’re writing to inform you about some changes to Android Market that require your attention.
First, we have added support for a recent changes feature, which allows you to add notes about changes specific to the newest version of your application. You are able to submit these from the Developer Console, similar to descriptions. In the Market app, these notes will appear under the app description as “Recent changes.”
Second, there is now a ‘draft upload’ capability for application updates. This feature enables you to edit your app listing and upload a new version without affecting the version live in Market. Your app listing edits will not change your live listing until you select “Publish.”
Finally, we are adding support for larger promotional graphics to showcase your application. In addition to the currently required app screenshot, you will be required to upload one “feature” graphic. Supported promotional assets will now include:
– A “feature” graphic, landscape aspect ratio, 1024 x 500 (required).
– A high-res icon, 512 x 512 (required).. The Android icon design guidelines located at http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/ui_guidelines/icon_design.html apply.
– 2 screen shots, 320w x 480h, 480w x 854h, or 480w x 800h, increasing to 8 screen shots in the future (1 required).
– A link for a promotional video hosted on YouTube (optional).
Thanks, and we look forward to continue working with you on Android Market.
Regards,
The Android Market Team
If you’ve been considering developing for Android, but you think that iOS apps is where all the action is, you may want to reconsider. After all, it seems that the market for Android is going to take off in a huge way, PayPal payments will make it more enticing for customers who want to buy apps, and it’s only set to grow even bigger as versions 2.3 and 3.0 come out in the coming weeks and months.
[Via: Android Police]