Generic Application Update Tool for Windows Mobile from MoDaCo

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.modaco.com/Lend-support-generic-u-t258878.html' target='_blank'>http://www.modaco.com/Lend-support-generic-u-t258878.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>&quot;I have a whole bunch of software on my device. Probably 15 apps at least. I also write software, which is downloaded by a fair few people, both commercial and free. I like to ensure that my software on my device is up to date with the latest versions, and it's a right pain in the ****. Not only that, I'd like my end users to have the latest versions installed to get the best possible experience... and to facilitate that I have to write a custom update checker into each of my applications. Fine for big apps, not great for quickly rustled up apps or tweaks. But there could be another way. What if you could have an application that lived on the device, that wasn't tied to any one application or vendor, that could check for updates for everything installed on your device? IMHO, that would be awesome. A dream. &quot;</em></p><p><img border="1" alt="" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//spt/auto/1188934175.usr3.png" /></p><p>Here's an interesting idea from Paul over at MoDaCo. It sounds like a great way to stay on top of your applications and make sure you're running the latest and greatest. However, for this to work there needs to be participation from the commercial and freeware developers alike. Paul tells me that he's got a number of main stream developers interested in it. What do you think, is this something that could work? Would you install and use it on your device? Share your thoughts and head on over to MoDaCo and let Paul know what you think too!</p>

[crony803]

I would like a program like this. Check that- I would LOVE a program like this, but only if I can have control over it. Like when it runs, which software to update, and the like.

My biggest pet peeve is all of those programs you install (especially the free ones) that like to install their own updater tool and run in your system tray. Before you know it, the darned tray fills up (and on a 1280x1024 display that is pretty sad). Well, NOOOOOOO thanks. That is usually grounds for dismissal- Unless it an absolute must have, like a PDF reader or the sort.

[Mike Temporale]

Well, this app would be focused on Windows MObile and not the desktop. Developers would have to write their app to take advantage of the updater tool. So you won't really have control over what apps are in it. I would expect you could run the tool whenever you like or maybe add it to speed dial or something.

[alese]

That would be a really neat application. And I guess it shouldn't be to difficult to have it run on schedule (or manually).
Also I agree that it's an absolute must to have control over what to install, and a rollback feature wouldn't hurt either...

[zilla31]

i would also LOVE an app like this... i'm too busy to keep up with my apps... even if this only did a few at first it would be ok with me... i use something similar provided by file hippo for my desktop and love it.

[Mike Temporale]

That would be a really neat application. And I guess it shouldn't be to difficult to have it run on schedule (or manually).
Also I agree that it's an absolute must to have control over what to install, and a rollback feature wouldn't hurt either...

Yeah, Rollback would be a nice feature to have. I don't know how easy or possible that would be to incorporate into this app. You would need some way to store the previous version and since it was already installed the CAB file would be gone from the device. Perhaps it could be addressed by the developer making the current and old version available via this update program. Then it would just be a matter of having the app updater remember that you need to watch for application x even if it's not installed. :confused:

[alese]

Yeah, Rollback would be a nice feature to have. I don't know how easy or possible that would be to incorporate into this app. You would need some way to store the previous version and since it was already installed the CAB file would be gone from the device. Perhaps it could be addressed by the developer making the current and old version available via this update program. Then it would just be a matter of having the app updater remember that you need to watch for application x even if it's not installed. :confused:

I guess the easiest way would be to do a snapshot of the system before the actuall installation - something like a mini backup...
The only problem with this is that you need storage.