Windows Marketplace tweaked, installs to storage cards now possible (Android, take note)
By Chris Ziegler 
posted February 22nd 2010 7:02PM
posted February 22nd 2010 7:02PM
[Thanks, Stair]
posted February 22nd 2010 7:02PM
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@srk
Indeed, I can't believe that this old wives' tale is still all over the net.
@Abe
Wait, where is the post I responded to? Is it deleted because he mentioned a certain Android tool that allows this already? Did that fall under "no advertising?"
@Abe looks like they deleted my reply.
THANK GOD!
@ashleythehottiest
It's weird how I was able to just copy the folder of the app I installed from Marketplace, and paste it onto my storage card.
Maybe I was just lucky, but this is by far a better alternative.
@LAY
Same here. Never had a problem installing or moving an app to the storage card before. Oh well.
Last time I was on the Marketplace I was turned off by the entire experience: I couldn't find a single application I'd want that was actually free. Maybe all of one or two gimped "lite" apps but that's all I could find. Nothing good for gaming unless you want to shell out $5-10 a pop, etc.
When will Marketplace start getting more apps and more choice?
@dragonfli
Probably not till 7 sadly. There's no point developing for WinMo 6 at the moment with the other bunch of OS's around. Expect things to change come September though.
@dragonfli
Search under free apps.
*Takes Notes*
In other news Symbian has been doing this for ages...
@Google
WinMo has been doing it for ages as well. To clarify, because many people here seem to not know exactly what is going on, you have always been able to install apps on WinMo to a Storage Card. However, this recent update added the ability to install to the storage card for apps purchased through the built in Mobile Marketplace that comes with WinMo 6.5 devices and can be installed on any WinMo 6.0/6.1 device.
@Delta "However, this recent update added the ability to install to the storage card for apps purchased through the built in Mobile Marketplace"
That too, Symbian phones have been able to do it for quite some time now. Not dissing WinMo; just saying Symbian isn't as obsolete as some claims. The only thing it really needs is an UI revamp.
@Google no man, you can install any app where ever you want on winmo, it is just the marketplace app that was odd in that sense.
I guess I never had a WM device with marketplace, but last I remember with my old Samsung i760 I always had the option to install on an SD card.
Bring it On !!!
i am excited about updates till Windows phone 7 rolls out.
iPhone take note.
Oh wait....
@Ysleiro
You can't install iPhone apps to a storage card, but they do let you put a storage card in your computer and let you install apps to the card from your iPhone over WiFi.
This is already in development for Android the only thing preventing it's major release is how to do it for paid apps. Plus rooted Android phones have this capability as well.
@EyeZer0
Do you have any sources for this info?
It sounds like it will be great when it is released.
@Flanjygo It's true. My buddy has a rooted G1 and he can do that.
If you are interested the community over at Xda-developers is where "it's at".
@Flanjygo http://phandroid.com/2010/01/05/application-storage-on-sd-card/
@Ysleiro
I already knew about the rooting method. I was more interested in the official support.
@Flanjygo
Erick Tseng the android guy that engadget interviewed a bunch told them in one of the interviews that they were planning that capability for release soon.
Might be here, don't have time to watch again and check:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/the-engadget-interview-erick-tseng-senior-product-manager-of-a/
I wish engadget didn't leave out important details like that. Seems relevant to mention that at least we've been told they're working on it.
-Taylor
@Taylor Yes Taylor Duly noted, I've updated to clarify.
@Chris Ziegler
Thanks Chris
@Flanjygo a lot of applications like CoPilot GPS or Spotify are already using the SD card to store data. You don't need to root your phone or do anything else.
(BTW, the default Camera app on Android use the SD card to store photos. Since all apps on Android are equals, all apps can do the same ;))
Thats funny I have always been able to install apps onto a memory card with my DELL PDA..but then again it runs Winmo5.xxx I think
lols...wonder why Microsoft would drop that functionality when going from 5 to 6??????????
Atleast Win7 is here to save us from all this non-sense *fingers crossed*
No, my WM6/6,1 Samsung also had that capability.
@Patlex You guys are missing the point. They are talking about apps downloaded from the official App Store/Marketplace application itself. They are NOT talking about applications you download and install manually, all WinMo phones have had the ability to install apps to the memory card.
@abedinthehouse Your dell didnt even have marketplace how could it have done this, read the article.
Huh!? Couldn't windows phones do this already!? My old LG incite and Samsung Jack could do this so how is this an update?
@Caprice Dates
They could. They just added that option to the Marketplace.
"Most importantly, Marketplace will now allow for app installs straight to memory cards..."
How pathetic. I actually feel bad for the fact that Chris was asked to write and post it.
P.S. I'm already bored of the WinMo 7 UI. Combined with the fact there are no visual cues for where to press. That stuff is stanky.
@Ariel Bender Sounds like someone's got a case of the Mondays!
@Ariel Bender
LOL would you prefer a phone to have half the screen devoted to an "OMG DUDE PRESS HERE TO DO SOMETHING!!" button?
I think the whole point of the Windows Phone 7 Series and Zune HD UI is that you will figure it out fairly quickly and at that point it makes more sense to use as much of the screen as possible for actual information to be displayed.
@peter0328: "I think the whole point of the Windows Phone 7 Series and Zune HD UI is that you will figure it out fairly quickly...". Yeah, because the optimal UI was developed by Apple close to three years ago and MS needed to develop a total clustercuss of an OS in order to "fix the smartphone UI problem."
Note to MS: There is no smartphone UI problem. There is, however, an issue between WinMo platform devs who have totally reamed just so you can chase a market that Apple and Google have pulled right out from under you. See you at the launch in November, bugs and all.
the Microsoft link you have provided seems to be wrong.
http://marketplace.windowsphone.com/Default.aspx
Is it just me, or do the Ovi Store and WIndows Marketplace icons look strikingly similar... Who copied who!!!???
...My Android has been doing this for a long while now.
Many versions of Android support it, just not the basic build.
well for all the symbian haters, that option was and is still available today. phone memory or external memory was always an option.
I have a love/hate relationship with external storage on mobile phones. The hate part has to do with having two locations for storage and its associated management. Another downside of microSD is that you need to get class 4 or higher if you want solid performance on some applications. I *do* like the fact that it brings expandability at the user's pace/budget, though.
android haters, we can do this already
Anyone know the build number? Marketplace isn't showing an update available (and hasn't updated in a while) and I'm on 1.1.1109.0000.
@Nathan V you have to uninstall it and download it again.
@Luxury Guy That's awful broken. >.<
Uninstall -> reinstall. New version is 1.2.1417.0001.
Good call. :)
Sad to see that engadget had to resort to deleting my reply which said...
" Note To Engadged : Android has something called as Apps2SD "
Sheesh!!!!!
Since were on the topic of apps, does anyone else feel like the engadget app for android has been lost in the 9th circle of hell?
Please, stop blaming Android for the SD card storage.
I have the CoPilot GPS app on my Android phone (500MB+) and the Spotify streaming music service with music available offline (1GB+).
So, YES, Android apps can already use the SD card to store data!!!
Wow that's amazing how long till win7 takes over again
It's been awhile since I have had a WinMo phone but I had thought you could install directly onto an SD card. I guess they changed it because even my Touch Pro I could install apps directly on the SD card. Maybe just through the new app store you couldn't?