Deltachat-android: prepare for gplay

[r10s]

• [x] create an organisational-gplay-account

• [x] check, if we want to go to the gplay-beta-channel first

• [x] create and use a release-key to sign; this one should also be used to sign the apk-downloads on github (which can also get the gplay applicationId then), cmp #651

• [x] modify applicationId to chat.delta or so. take care that for f-droid, com.b44t.messenger stays unchanged to avoid a bad user experience there

• [x] upload apk

• [x] prepare some text + screenshots

[STPKITT]

Great! I don't use the Playstore myself anymore but I'm still very exited about Delta Chat becoming available there!
I lack the knowledge behind it all but I wonder if keeping the F-Droid release's applicationId could lead to complications much later on for example for people wanting to change their installation origin of Delta Chat from Google to F-Droid. If it could lead to future complications it would be better to rename it now instead of later when the number of user will be higher then it is currently.

[adbenitez]

I had never used GooglePlay, but have to say this will be really favorable for Delta Chat
+1

[violoncelloCH]

I lack the knowledge behind it all but I wonder if keeping the F-Droid release's applicationId could lead to complications much later on for example for people wanting to change their installation origin of Delta Chat from Google to F-Droid.

@STPKITT switching from google to f-droid or vice versa isn't possible anyway, because the f-droid builds are signed with a different key (f-droid's one)... so to switch source you need to reinstall (anyway)...
If the packages from the two sources have a different applicationid/packagename it's possible to install it from both sources at the same time, so having two installations of deltachat on your phone, what could also be an advantage...

[Jikstra]

for example for people wanting to change their installation origin of Delta Chat from Google to F-Droid.

Not sure if you know the backup feature, but with this it allows you to export a backup on for example the gplay side and import it on the fdroid side. Very cool feature, even works accross platforms like desktop/android:)

[Simon-Laux]

Should we get the organization account under merlinux or delta chat? On apple we have it under merlinux.

[STPKITT]

@Jikstra: I had the backup function in mind when giving my example. I thought maybe restoring the backup would only be possible if applicationID is the same as it was when exporting the backup. I now doubt though that that is the case if restoring even works across plattforms, which is really cool.

@violoncelloCH: I know that you can't switch installation source "on the fly". Changing installation source of Delta Chat from Google Play to F-Droid also was only one example that came to my mind first. I don't know but maybe there could be other disadvantages. I just wanted to motivate the deciders to properly think about it.

[Jikstra]

@STPKITT good that you think about this, but shouldn't be a problem. A lot of us are already using fdroid + -dev versions, where also no problems showed up yet.

[STPKITT]

Ok! Personally I'd prefer the same applicationID for all installation sources, especially since com.b44t.messenger is obscure. Too many apps already whre the applicationID has no obvious connection to the app's name.

[webratte]

Should we get the organization account under merlinux or delta chat? On apple we have it under merlinux.

I think "Delta Chat" would be the better solution.
If Merlinux (why ever) would leave DeltaChat (nobody knows what happens in 5 yeras) it would be easier to continue the project without to change the name.

Is it possible to change the organizations name also for Apple?

Of course you should use the same name for all stores 😀

[webratte]

Too many apps already whre the applicationID has no obvious connection to the app's name.

IMHO 90% of the users not interested in the AppID.

So the devs should check how much is to do, to change the ID and is it really needed.

[Hocuri]

check, if we want to go to the gplay-beta-channel first

I'd say, if it is a beta version, use the beta channel :wink: this would also avoid that we get a lot of bad ratings as beta apps can't be rated.

But I wouldn't use a name like "Delta Chat Beta", just take "Delta Chat".

[r10s]

yip, after some discussions these day, we'll go to beta channel first.

[webratte]

It seems you have no courage to create a Google play account :-P

Believe me, that is not that complicated.
I did it already for my own (boring) App ;-)

Or don't you find a person in authority?

[r10s]

@webratte thanks for encouragements! in fact me personally has not much experiences with gplay :)

however, currently, the issues we're targeting are the changes wrt "tiny" things needed for the oreo-target, see https://github.com/orgs/deltachat/projects/8 - eg. the bit annoying forced-usage of NotificationChannels.

[webratte]

@r10s I know there a some other open issues. I follow your work on GitHub.

But still I think you should not wait too long for first (Beta) release in Google play store.

It's absolutely important for making DeltaChat famous.

I belive currently it's a messenger for geeks and nerds ;-)
Only a soonish release in Google play store can change it.

By my estimation of your division of work this could be done by @hpk42

Isn't it?

[hpk42]

On Sun, Feb 10, 2019 at 07:11 -0800, webratte wrote:

@r10s I know there a some other open issues. I follow your work on GitHub.

But still I think you should not wait too long for first (Beta) release in Google play store.

It's absolutely important for making DeltaChat famous.

I belive currently it's a messenger for geeks and nerds ;-)
Only a soonish release in Google play store can change it.

By my estimation of your division of work this could be done by @hpk42

yes and no. i can not help too much currently.
But i think google beta could happen the coming week ;)

[webratte]

Hi @all
to motivate you, I have created a initial draft for german wikipedia. ;-)
I think I will offer it to wikipedia after V.1.0 and 1000 downloads in play store.
So I believe we will have enough relevance and wikipedia will accept my article.

In the meantime everybody can help to refine and correct this article.

Please take a look to my draft:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Webratte/Artikelentwurf

[nathanael-h]

I do have a gplay dev account, if this could help you to release a beta and/or stable apk 😉

[hpk42]

On Mon, Feb 11, 2019 at 00:32 -0800, nath5394 wrote:

I do have a gplay dev account, if this could help you to release a beta and/or stable apk 😉

We'll only give out signing rights to people we personally know and
who have contributed already. So there is a possible future in which
you could sign deltachat releases ;)

[r10s]

we're in:

installation, requires the browser to be logged into a google account:
https://play.google.com/apps/testing/chat.delta

common information:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=chat.delta