Harold, Thanks for a good, balanced update. One of the reasons I had heard for why there wasn't an Android app was that Android was not a single operating system, but a family of them. It would appear that this has been resolved (or has it?) Does the use of an Android mobile product subject our DRM or the user's privacy to a lower level of assurance than the browser version? I applaud the decision to wait for the new app to be de-bugged. 73, Greg, K0GW On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 1:38 PM, Kramer, Harold, WJ1B <wj1b@arrl.org> wrote:
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Hi,****
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I would like to take this opportunity to update everyone regarding the status of the Digital *QST* Android app. Nxtbook, our publishing partner just came out with an Android app this month. While Nxtbook claims that it is a finished product, based on our previous experience, it is most likely not fully de-bugged or full featured yet and, therefore, in our opinion, not ready for overall release. Like other software developers, NxtBook apparently uses their early adopters as Beta testers for their product.*** *
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It also poses some problems for us including justifying the one time startup costs ($3-$5K) and the ongoing production costs and labor for producing yet another *QST *variant. There is also a problem that the Tracking settings cannot be disabled on the Android app. Member privacy issues were a major concern when we launched the iOS app, so we would have to find some way to alert members that their information is being tracked on the Android app. The tracking feature does not provide personally identifiable information, but it does aggregate overall statistics. In addition, our IT department would need to integrate another platform into our Digital Rights Management system.****
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If you are asked about an Android app by a member, you should know that Nxtbook has recently enhanced the Android browser version of Digital *QST*. The only major difference between the browser version and the dedicated app is that the browser version cannot be downloaded. ****
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We’ll monitor the Android app situation with NxtBook and our members to determine what future actions we might take.****
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73,****
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Harold****
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Harold Kramer, WJ1B****
Chief Operating Officer****
ARRL -the national association for Amateur Radio****
225 Main Street****
Newington, CT 06111****
(860) 594 -0220****
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