I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Y'know, other stuff, Sinclair related.
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Turrican
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I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by Turrican »

Hello all!
Due to new Google Play Policy (since August), I can´t update my Android app ZX App anymore.

According from Google, "During review, we found that your app appears to use popular brands, characters, and other assets associated with patterns of harmful behavior or high risk of abuse and determined your app to have a high risk profile."

I´ve tried several modifications, but no one was accepted and I gave up.
The app will not be removed (the last version) but I can´t update it.

So, if you want to install the new version that has the "ZX Art" option to search for pictures from ZX ART, please, download it here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/s8bickf83vonp ... p.apk?dl=0

Now you will have to install it manually, executing the apk file.

Regards
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Einar Saukas
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by Einar Saukas »

This is bad news :(

Perhaps they would look upon your app more favorably if it had an even higher score... I just gave it 5 stars :)
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Turrican
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by Turrican »

Einar Saukas wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 4:20 pm This is bad news :(

Perhaps they would look upon your app more favorably if it had an even higher score... I just gave it 5 stars :)
Thanks Einar, but I don´t think so.
The problem is (I think) the "use" of games, assets, etc from a lot of brands.
It´s odd because I marked the app as a "search engine". Like Google...
A lot of apps are being not accepted with these new policies.
akeley
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by akeley »

F*** the Big Brother. This is why monopolies are bad, mmmkay?

Maybe you could sneak in comment into description, telling users to look for the updated version elsewhere.

Then host it in other places. F-droid is a good open source repo. Im sure some people with websites wouldnt mind hosting it as well (I would).
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Turrican
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by Turrican »

akeley wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 5:04 pm F*** the Big Brother. This is why monopolies are bad, mmmkay?

Maybe you could sneak in comment into description, telling users to look for the updated version elsewhere.

Then host it in other places. F-droid is a good open source repo. Im sure some people with websites wouldnt mind hosting it as well (I would).
Hi [mention]akeley[/mention] .
I can´t even update the description. Nothing! :)
I will try the F-droid.

Thanks.
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by zx64 »

This "review" was probably just a google's AI bot found something it didn't like
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Turrican
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by Turrican »

zx64 wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 11:46 pm This "review" was probably just a google's AI bot found something it didn't like
Like that.
Google is not clear where and what is the problem.
I tried 7 different versions. Only rejections.
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by hikoki »

I've read something about "emulators" which are used by fraudsters to simulate clicks or something. These emulators don't have anything to to with retrogaming emulation. Could you try to avoid any word related with emulation or downloads? Also clearly state this is not an emulator.
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Turrican
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by Turrican »

hikoki wrote: Mon Sep 14, 2020 12:35 pm I've read something about "emulators" which are used by fraudsters to simulate clicks or something. These emulators don't have anything to to with retrogaming emulation. Could you try to avoid any word related with emulation or downloads? Also clearly state this is not an emulator.
I will try.
Now I got an answer saying that the problem is on my full description .
Let's see....
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Turrican
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by Turrican »

Finally...
Zx App updated on Google Play with Zx Art picture search

I can't:
- use words like Sinclair, ZX Spectrum in the title or description
- use any asset from a game, book, etc in the app's page
- promote downloads
- etc
Unless I prove that I have permission to use anything.

It is hard now to someone know what is the purpose of the app...
akeley
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by akeley »

Turrican wrote: Tue Sep 22, 2020 8:29 am Unless I prove that I have permission to use anything.
Meanwhile, on youtube..... :D
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Einar Saukas
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by Einar Saukas »

Turrican wrote: Tue Sep 22, 2020 8:29 amIt is hard now to someone know what is the purpose of the app...
Even so that's good news!

Can you use the word "Speccy"? Perhaps "A search engine for Speccy programs, books and magazines - powered by ZXDB database/API".
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Turrican
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by Turrican »

Yeah... I will try Speccy. :mrgreen:
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by SteveSmith »

I gave up creating Android apps a few years ago due to the hassle of Google and the hoops you have to jump through. It's almost like now that all the "hobby devs" have fulfilled their purpose in creating lots of games for Play back in the early 2010's, they don't want pesky small-time users, and just the big companies with their popular IPs and cash to spend, presumably mainly because Google don't make any money from free apps. Compare adding a game to Play with something like Itch.io and it's so much easier on the latter. </rant>
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Turrican
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Re: I can´t update ZX App on Google´s Play anymore

Post by Turrican »

SteveSmith wrote: Tue Sep 22, 2020 1:26 pm I gave up creating Android apps a few years ago due to the hassle of Google and the hoops you have to jump through. It's almost like now that all the "hobby devs" have fulfilled their purpose in creating lots of games for Play back in the early 2010's, they don't want pesky small-time users, and just the big companies with their popular IPs and cash to spend, presumably mainly because Google don't make any money from free apps. Compare adding a game to Play with something like Itch.io and it's so much easier on the latter. </rant>
Could be...
:cry:
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