Here are some tips for Android developers that, hopefully, will make your app's reviews in Android Market be more positive. The tips below are a compilation of tips found at Swedroid together with my own personal experience of Android development.
Does the app work on all platforms?
The app should be working on as many platforms as possible. Make sure that all screen sizes are supported and test them thoroughly. Obviously, you don't need to have 20 or so phones but at least create an Android Virtual Device (AVD) for each available screen size. Make use of the multiple APK support if needed.
Test the app!
Pretty basic maybe, but nevertheless important. Give the phone to a friend (preferably not a programmer) to test. Use unit testing in your Android project, see Android developers. Test the app with different screen sizes.
Update the app often
With bug fixes, then what about testing!? Update your app frequently, that will make your users feel that something is happening and the development teams cares about their product. Your don't have to add many or big changes in your updates, update your app more often instead.
Update the changelog with every update
Make use of the changelog before your publish a new version. Don't just write "bug fixes", write which bug fixes you have done. This will help both you and your users.
Permissions
Only add the permissions that you really need to the manifest file. The users may react negatively if the list of permission requirements is too long or not relevant to the user's idea of the app. If your are writing a simple calculator, then adding a "send SMS" permission might seem a bit odd.
Developer console is your friend
Use the Developer console to track the app's comments, see download statistics and the reported errors.
Does the app work on all platforms?
The app should be working on as many platforms as possible. Make sure that all screen sizes are supported and test them thoroughly. Obviously, you don't need to have 20 or so phones but at least create an Android Virtual Device (AVD) for each available screen size. Make use of the multiple APK support if needed.
Test the app!
Pretty basic maybe, but nevertheless important. Give the phone to a friend (preferably not a programmer) to test. Use unit testing in your Android project, see Android developers. Test the app with different screen sizes.
Update the app often
With bug fixes, then what about testing!? Update your app frequently, that will make your users feel that something is happening and the development teams cares about their product. Your don't have to add many or big changes in your updates, update your app more often instead.
Update the changelog with every update
Make use of the changelog before your publish a new version. Don't just write "bug fixes", write which bug fixes you have done. This will help both you and your users.
Permissions
Only add the permissions that you really need to the manifest file. The users may react negatively if the list of permission requirements is too long or not relevant to the user's idea of the app. If your are writing a simple calculator, then adding a "send SMS" permission might seem a bit odd.
Developer console is your friend
Use the Developer console to track the app's comments, see download statistics and the reported errors.
nice posting!
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