aTrackDog flawed and deceiving

[ask70]

an update tool needs to be built into the core, that's going to be the best way. If it's not there's a chance that the update appitself will require an update leaving you in the cold.

[wimbet]

Very useful app. 5 stars. Most efficient and quickest method I have found to keep all 52 of my programs up to date. Dude who wrote the article is a newb.

[ghoonk]

Maemo has a good example where the system's application manager looks up the repositories for updates and notifies the user if there are new updates. User can then choose to update specific apps, or Update All.

The same can be done for Market, if Google sees fit to do so. aTrackDog is pretty good, but it needs to be done in such a way that it only offers the option to look up only Market and not 3rd party repositories, which could lead to rapid malware dissemination.

[CDRacingZX6R]

I have had zero issues with the program.

If they collect data, I could careless.. What the hell do I care if they track my stuff or if Google does? They are both making money off me. I just want an easy way to update my programs and it's working for me.

[d0nkey]

could a program use an intent from the market app to check the My Downloads section of installed apps to see which ones say "installed" vs "free"? That would only allow an app to be updated if there is an update available on the market.

I havent used this program because im not lazy, so unless its checking apps that are not available on the market i dont see why this wouldnt work.

[jefmes]

I've been using it since it first hit the market, and while I've also had one or two of the "false positives" people are talking about, removing it now would make me feel like I've lost a critical piece of functionality on my G1.

That said, if there is a problem with this or if the data is being used for ill purposes, I would hope Google would come out with something soon. I'd actually love to have a "My Android" page on my iGoogle site showing what apps I'm using, with the ability to update from that page. I'd also like to see the removal be as simple as the iPhone/Touch.

[samlu]

In our opinion, software users have the rights to know if there are newer versions available. Naturally, it includes alpha and beta versions. It's the user's free will to decide if they want to install the newer version or not. The object of aTrackDog is, therefore, to assist Android users to be aware of the availability of latest versions of the application they are using.

As for the developers, if they do not want their general users to know about the versions under developing or testing, they should protect that piece of information from spreading. Thus, aTrackDog has provided a way for developers to keep the information of their developing/testing versions from being delivered to general users. (http://atrackdog.a0soft.com/faq.php#PW)

We'd like to reiterate that aTrackDog will not collect any user's private data, nor will we apply the application version information on any purpose maliciously. The only objective of aTrackDog is to cut down users' time wasting on mundane tasks, thereby increasing their productivity.

We apologize if it may have caused any nuisances to some developers. Meanwhile, we will continue to seek better solutions.

As time goes on, we will announce new functionality for aTrackDog progressively. Please stay tuned!

Sam Lu - aTrackDog Developer

[DaYuMu6ft7]

Cool Sam Lu...

Thanks for taking the time out to clarify any false information about your App.

[betawind]

Is the method they use flawed? Yes. It's not bad though. I've had one, maybe 2 inaccuracies and I just shrugged them on and moved on.

Is the method they use deceiving? Really Shawn, was this the right word to use? Did they actually mislead someone here? No, I don't think they did. I agree with their response in that just because its a beta version doesn't mean it's not an update. Deceit implies some sort of malice, which I seriously doubt there is any here.

This method is going to become great down the road when people start paying for apps and waiting for fixes in the next release. Letting people know that there is a beta available will allow them to contact their devs through whatever means to obtain it.

[rivviepop]

Shawn Brown's article is a great example of how one misguided blogger can just cause all sorts of FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt). He takes one issue with one company, completely blows it out of proportion and aggrandizes his verbiage ("deceiving!") to make a recommendation that nobody use this app.

Where's your fair reporting with both parties? Where's your neutral stance and contacting all parties before publishing this article? Do you not concern yourself with being taken to task for slandering the name of a developer based on your thoughts? You have called a developer deceptive, which unless you can prove in a court of law will get you in hot water.

aTrackDog is a fine application and a good example of a developer bringing a tool to the market that the G1 sorely needs. Articles such as this one will be the death of such good developers and the ultimate failure of the platform if people such as yourself continue on this path of shooting your mouth off with no actual knowledge.