Review: ADC 2 Judging Application

[Talk about ADC 2 and all the apps in our ADC2 Forum!]

So we just downloaded the Android Developer Challenge 2 Application from the Android Market and wanted to give a review for those that haven’t downloaded it yet. So watch the video and read the text review below!

First of all, if you’re looking for the application I would suggest you search for “Challenge” in Android Market. It didn’t appear in recent apps and I couldn’t find it searching for “Android Developers” so hopefully that saves you a few minutes of looking around.

The application installed quickly over 3G and then I got TRICKED by the End User License Agreement. It said that it was the EULA and then asked you to accept or decline but there weren’t any terms! I didn’t even realize it as I did the video, I guess just second nature to approve of things before reading the fine print. A bad habit by the way that can screw you over my young readers so be warned – read fine print!

After I installed the application I was immediately prompted via a status bar update that there was an Application Awaiting my download/review – VERY cool method of cycling through new applications. They said that as new apps become available you will be notified. This raised some questions for me:

I hope everyone isn’t reviewing in the same order… it could definitely skew the results. Something ELSE that could skew results is the fact that Google FORCES you to download an application before you move onto the next application. This is a problem for 2 reasons in my opinion:

  1. People download an app, don’t test it, give it fake reviews/stars just to get to the next application
  2. Some people will just get fed up with having to review every single application and move along

I like it in that you’re encouraged to try an application you wouldn’t otherwise try… but it has its downfalls. I guess you can’t please everyone all the time. So what two applications did I have the pleasure of looking at in my first go-round?

PrankDialer.com
I like how they use the actual domain name for the app name – it’ll give it a definite boost in branding. Unfortunately the app sucked. Not because it wasn’t a good idea but because it didn’t work as advertised. I got a couple forced close errors trying to use features, it didn’t auto-rotate to landscape and when I tried to place a prank call it wouldn’t let me because I’m not in the UK.

I’m not sure if ADC2 contestants could target their submissions geographically, but I PROMISE you this application is going to get PANNED (or even pwnd) for the pure fact that it won’t work in the United States or anywhere in the world besides the UK actually. Such a shame because its a cute idea. Slightly different than SpoofApp, which I like a lot more, but interesting idea nonetheless.

Cieborg Tours
I didn’t actually review this on the video but here is what the description was:

Ceibor Tours will start automatically when your Android cell-phone reaches points of interest, but you may also access them manually. This application is used to find members of your group, share the tour with them, track your way, plan a trip, select the language and more. It works with or without Internet connection.

I’m guessing it works without internet connection by downloading the entire informational database and only utilizing GPS services.

THIS is the application that made me decide you should be able to “skip” applications to review. There is no way that at this moment I want to go outside and test this application. And honestly, to give it a fair review, that is what is needed. You should be able to skip X out of every X apps in my opinion, and then force you to come back to it after X apps. I don’t know. Is it just me?

The other interesting thing here is that it FORCES you to delete an application before you are able to download another application. What if I wanted to keep the application. TOUGH LUCK! I tried to find a workaround:

The idea is that it will offer you your next download without forcing uninstall. But I’m about to test this now… not sure if it works. Doubtful but worth a try.

Above does not work.

So there you have it… my initial review of the ADC2 judging/voting application!

I think the “rating categories” could be improved a bit. And I think there should be a question asking, “Would you recommend this application to a friend” with a yes/no button. Because honestly, if it is good enough to recommend to others, THAT is the ultimate testament on the reviewing totem pole.

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