Install apps onto memory card?

[trumani]

I tried searching the threads for this, so hopefully I'm not going over something already discussed:

Can Apps be installed onto the microsd card? If not, then the 256mb won't let us install much. I don't know much about the android software, but it would be nice if only executibles/system files if anything were installed onto the 256mb, and the data files (for example maps, game levels, voice commands (turn-by-turn) etc...)

Of course I suppose the whole idea is for everything to be cloud-based so there's no need to store much, even pictures and music and such..

Still looking forward to my pre-ordered G1 come mid-oct!

-t

[Jorsher]

Although I think 256mb would be a decent amount for apps, you're right that it isn't much. You should be able to install them on memory cards. One of the videos here talked about being able to take an application and install it on other devices by moving the memory card over. I don't know how they'll handle "paid for" applications if this is possible, though. Maybe it'll verify if the person should be allowed to use it based on unique identifiers from the phone using the application? Maybe paid-for apps can only be installed on the internal memory?

I hope one of the staff members that have played with it can comment, I'm curious as well

[Skatturbrain]

That would make a lot of sense for them to do that. Mainly because if the phone breaks or whatever we can still keep our apps that we paid money for. Currently we have to call T-Mobile customer service to get our pad for downloads sent back to our phone. I hope this is how it goes down.

[refused9150]

I have a very moderate amount of apps on my iPhone taking up 2 gigs right now.

[trumani]

I just read the manuals that are being linked from other forums..

on page 30 it reads:
"Internal phone storage - Reports how much internal storage is free.

The phone has a total of 256 MB internal flash memory. You can also
select to reset your phone to factory settings. This will erase all your
data from the phone and require you to sign in and go through the setup

screens to use any of the applications."

This is how I interpret that, let me know if you see otherwise:
The program is installed on your SD card and only the settings reside in the internal flash memory and need to be changed


Continuing discussion of apps...Another few issues I found annoying w/ the iphone/ipod touch which I encountered, were fixed, and I hope are fixed with android, is that the settings on apps are saved even if the version of that app is updated. Also I hope that updating an app will not cause the shortcut on the home screen to go away or be reorganized.

[trumani]

more reading...p. 68

Download Web files and applications
Before you download any files or applications using the Browser, note the following:
• Before you can download Web applications, you must explicitly “allow” downloading from the
Home > Settings screen:

1

Press HOME, then press MENU and select Settings.

2

Select Applications, then on the Application settings screen, select the Unknown sources

check box.
• All items downloaded form the Web are stored on your SD card, so be sure you have a card
installed in your phone before you download from the Browser. (Read more in “SD card slot” on
page 11.)
• The Browser will only allow you to download items that are supported by an application
installed on the phone.
Warning!

Applications downloaded from the Web can be from unknown sources. To protect your

phone and personal data, only download applications from sources you trust, such as Android

Market.


You could possibly interpret this as:
downloads from the web browser go to your sd card, but downloads from android market will go to your internal member

which would not be good..

[Cricketman]

What?!

Can anyone confirm?

[PCTechNerd]

Fact of the matter is, even if it's the option to download apps to the card is not available out of the box, it will only be a short time before someone comes out with a program that lets you do just that. Hell, chances are google will update the firmware with that capability also.


If it's not like that from the get go, we should not get our panties in a bunch, as it's a small step that can easily be rectified.

[rawskilz]

im hoping that you can just do a straight dl to the card. prettt sure thats correct

[swaney29]

that would suck if u couldnt.. there really wouldnt be any point downloading everything u see