7.9. Publishing on Android Market

After you're satisfied that your application runs as expected on real Android devices, you're ready to upload to Android Market, Google's service for publishing and downloading Android applications. The procedure is pretty straightforward:

7.9.1. Signing Up As an Android Developer

Go to Google's website at , and fill out the forms provided. As this is written, Android Market is still in beta, and you will be asked to:

• Use your Google account to log in (if you don't have a Google account, you can get one for free by following the Create Account link on the login page).

• Agree to the Android Market Terms of Service.

• Pay a one-time fee of $25 (payable by credit card via Google Checkout; again, if you don't have an account set up, you can do so quickly).

The forms ask for a minimal amount of information—your name, phone number, etc.—and you are signed up.

7.9.2. Uploading Your Application

Now you can go to to upload your application. To identify and categorize your application, you will be asked for the following:

Application apk file Name and Location

The apk file of your application, signed with your private signature certificate.

Title and Description

These are very important, because they are the core of your marketing message to potential users. Try to make the title descriptive and catchy at the same time, and describe the application in a way that will make your target market want to download it.

Application Type

There are currently two choices: Applications or Games.

Category

The allowable list of categories varies depending on Application Type. The currently available categories for Applications are: Communications, Demo, Entertainment, Finance, Lifestyle, Multimedia, News & Weather, Productivity, Reference, Shopping, Social, Software Libraries, Tools, and Travel. For Games, the currently available categories include: Arcade & Action, Brain & Puzzle, Cards & Casino, and Casual.

Price

This must be "Free" under the beta version of Android Market. Google has said they will enable charging for applications in the near future (maybe by the time you read this).

Geography

You can limit where your application is available, or choose to make it available everywhere.

Finally, you are asked to confirm that your application meets the Android Content Guidelines and that it does not knowingly violate any export laws. After that, you can upload your apk file, and within a few days your application will appear on the Android Market online catalog, accessible from any connected Android device. There is currently no way to access Android Market directly from your PC or Mac, so you'll have to use your Android phone to find out when your application is available for download.