Android Apps: What is the recommended targetSdk for broadest appeal?

Posted by johnrock on Stack Overflow See other posts from Stack Overflow or by johnrock
Published on 2010-05-28T02:25:39Z Indexed on 2010/05/28 2:31 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 257

Filed under:

android

I have an Android app that only needs internet access and would like to target API level 3 (1.5) to reach the broadest handset base. However, it appears that targeting API level 3 implicitly requires two additional permissions that are visible to users: modify sd card, and read phone state.

See: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1747178/android-permissions-phone-calls-read-phone-state-and-identity)

So the connundrum, do I target API level 4 and turn away users running 1.5, or do I target API level 3 and turn away users who are upset that my app is requesting so many permissions that it shouldn't need?

What is the smartest thing to do here? Are there really a lot of users still limited to API level 3?

I appreciate any wisdom offered! Thanks!

Related posts about android

Please verify my layout: bottom button keeps coming up over keyboard

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Hi everyone, I have a layout which does almost what I want. There's just one bug regarding the button at the bottom. I should stay at the bottom at all times. But whenever I bring up the soft-keyboard the button will be displayed above the keyboard. This is not what I want but it should become covered… >>> More
Android programming. Application stopped unexpectedly.

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I've just created a prototype of interface for my android app and tried to run it. Unfortunately I get an error that my app has stopped unexpectedly (my reputation doesn't allow me to post images so follow my links): screenshot of error message This is layout mode of editing. Everything looks as… >>> More
Listview Row Overlap Problem

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I just updated my app and I am getting some odd complaints from people who update it. I am only getting complaints from people with non-stock android phones (phones that manufacturers have modified...HTC phones, cliq, pulse, etc), other phones like the Droid, Nexus work fine. My app (Photo Frame Deluxe)… >>> More
Why are some of my view not aligned correctly at the bottom of my relative layout?

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I have problems getting some of my views aligned in a relative layout that I use inside a row of my listview. Here is a screenshot from the layout builder in Eclipse, this is what I think it should look like: The next image is from the emulator. Now the TestTestTest View is at the top and covers… >>> More
Android RatingBar weirdness: Whenever I add a RatingBar to my layout, a bunch of the generated tags,

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Whenever I use a RatingBar view in my layout, I suddenly get all kinds of compile errors. I'm using Android 2.0, but I've also tried 2.0.1, and 2.1, without joy. I also get a message: Shader 'android.graphics.BitmapShader' is not supported in Layout Editor, and an odd warning which may or maynot be… >>> More

Developer IT