New Android Market Features Multiple APK Support

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Multiple APK support for the Android Market means there's a good chance developers will be able to offer apps on a wider range of hardware.

Thursday the Android Developers Blog was updated with news that Google's Android Market now supports multiple APKs. This new change is undoubtedly one of Google's efforts to tackle Android fragmentation by allowing developers to create various versions of the same app and combine them in one Android Market listing. Previously Google allowed for only one APK per product listing.

Signs of this type of progression towards Market device detection initially appeared on the web version of Google's Android Market last month. Users simply sign in through the web browser and select the desired app to install. The system then checks the compatibility between the app and the hardware listed in the user's settings. Approved apps receive a green "this app is compatible with your [device]" message or a yellow "this app is incompatible with your [device]" message.

But now developers will have the ability to provide additional, compatible versions tucked away in one offering rather than cluttering up the entire Android Market with multiple listings. "Multiple APK support gives you a variety of ways to control app distribution," the blog reads. "For example, you could use it to create separate APKs for phones and tablets under the same product listing. You could also use it to take advantage of new APIs or new hardware capabilities without impacting your existing customer base."

The blog states that the Developer Console has been updated with controls for uploading and managing multiple APKs in a product listing.

Previously Google revealed plans to unleash an entirely new Android Market app that will allow consumers to rent movies and purchase books directly from their smartphones and tablets. The Market itself has received another visual overhaul, this time casting out the whites and greens and taking on a more Windows Phone 7 "Metro UI" look. The new Android Market app is expected to roll out soon, but a leaked version has already appeared on the Internet to download and install.

Kevin Parrish

Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then, he’s loved all things PC-related and cool gadgets ranging from the New Nintendo 3DS to Android tablets. He is currently a contributor at Digital Trends, writing about everything from computers to how-to content on Windows and Macs to reviews of the latest laptops from HP, Dell, Lenovo, and more. 

10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • becherovka
    Good news!! Hope this encourages developers to make more tablet based apps. Maybe same leaner apps too.
    Reply
  • brandonjclark
    Very cool! Now if we just had something better to program with other than Eclipse!
    Reply
  • chronicbint
    More work for devs, yet another nail in the Droid coffin.
    Reply
  • aaron88_7
    chronicbintMore work for devs, yet another nail in the Droid coffin.umm, have you seen the sales numbers for Android devices lately?
    Reply
  • chronicbint
    Android is free and thrown on every cheap phone in existence, of course it has big numbers.
    Reply
  • Well done Google, an intelligent solution to a complicated problem. Of course, everything has issues and this is no different, but it's a good idea at the very least.
    Reply
  • x3style
    chronicbintAndroid is free and thrown on every cheap phone in existence, of course it has big numbers.Because it CAN! :)
    Reply
  • kin3000
    chronicbintAndroid is free and thrown on every cheap phone in existence, of course it has big numbers.
    It's obvious you're an Apple fan boy. It seems you're not use to having multiple devices to pick from.
    Reply
  • fishrule
    Google should work on making Android a stable and not crap OS. I just got rid of my Android tablet, what a POS.
    Reply
  • godmode
    brandonjclarkVery cool! Now if we just had something better to program with other than Eclipse!
    meh, sure eclipse has it problems but its workable for me. i still agree that there needs to be more IDE's, i love choices...the more the better (apple's pet peeve).
    Reply