Posting to Google Play Store

Out of date Warning

This page is years out of date, but gives you a flavour for what will be the process once this is updated. Email me (Dr. Brian) if you are interested in more info.

Overview

As part of your final project submission, you must submit all items in the "What I need from you" list below. You must submit this material even if you are not requesting your app be posted to the Android store.

On request, you (or your group for the project) can have your Android application put up on the Google play store through SFU Software System's account. Applications must be of high quality, reasonable content (no graphic violence, ...), and "sold" for free. Alternatively, you can create your own Google Play store account for $25 and post your own applications!

What I need from you

Your final project submission must include the following. For reference, check out a sample Google Play entry.

1. GIT: URL to a GIT repository where your project is fully checked-in.
2. Product name: max 30 characters.
3. Product description: max 4000 characters. Please provide a good description of what the application does. You may want to list your name (or group name) here (no email addresses please).
4. Promo text (optional): max 80 characters.
5. Recent changes (optional): max 500 characters.
6. Screenshots: 2 required. 320 x 480 or 480 x 800 or 480 x 854 or 1280 x 720 or 1280 x 800. JPG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha). See guide for more info.
7. Promotional graphic/"icon": 512x512 32-bin PNG (with alpha). See guide for more info.
8. Promotional video (optional): Link to YouTube video. See guide for more info.
9. Application Type: Applications, or Games
10. Application Category:
    For Applications: Books & Reference, Business, Comics, Communication, Education, Entertainment, Finance, Health & Fitness, Libraries & Demo, Lifestyle, Media & Video, Medical, Music & Audio, News & Magazines, Personalization, Photography, Productivity, Shopping, Social, Sports, Tools, Transportation, Travel & Local, Weather.
    For Games: Arcade & Action, Brain & Puzzle, Cards & Casino, Casual, Racing, Sports Games.

Consult the Publishing Checklist for Google Play for more information, or Google Play's app quality guidelines. Note that you need not meet all their guidelines, but you should work to do so.

Some restrictions

• Full APK (install file I generate) must be less than 50MB (Play store limit).
• If using an application server, it must either be SFU run/supported, or expected to stay running for a long time. You should consider having your application server code in the Git repository.
• Correct minSdkVersion information set in manifest.
• Must work on a variety of screen sizes (such as 3.5", 4", 7", 10").
• All copyrighted works in your project must be correctly cited. You cannot use material like commercial songs (MP3s) or pictures which do not allow reuse.

What I (Dr. Brian) Do

For those requesting their app be posted to the android store, I will...

• Generate an APK for release, signed with my release key.
• Upload the app to the play store and email you the link to its listing.
  • App will be listed as "Medium maturity" to have access location based features (unless otherwise discussed).
  • Website and email contact info will be for SFU.
• I can work with you to fix any errors, or occasional updates.
• Note: If you want to make regular changes to the application, you should create your own Google Play account.