App Referrer allows others to be directed to Android apps

February 25, 2010 | by Chris Smith

If nothing else, most people can agree that the Android Market can be a little disorganized and not set up well for app discovery. The Market is also very unforgiving when it comes to misspelling and won’t suggest any app that is close to what you were querying. App referer is a free app that tries to solve this problem by allowing the user to pick any of the apps they have installed on their Android device, create a QR code for the app in the app store, and then allow the code to be scanned by another Android phone.

I tried this out yesterday with a friend and found it to be fast and effective. Of course the other party will need an Android device with BarcodeScanner, Shop Savvy, Google Shopper or even the new DexKnows application to scan the QR code. Once the code is scanned the device brings up the Market link as it would with any other QR code. This is a nice way to show someone an application and then provide the code for them to download it rather than then have to dig through the Market. App Referrer also allows the user to create a list of all the current apps on their phone and then email it.

The killer part of this app is that instead of just creating the QR code on the screen for someone to scan, you can also email, sms, or “tweet” the Market link for the application you want. This is an excellent and quick way to share your favorite apps with your other Android friends.

Via [This Week in Google]

android market, apps, email, free, free apps, sms, twitter

6 Comments

@barryjscott says:

February 25, 2010 at 3:56 pm

If you just want the image for someone to scan, Barcode Scanner offers this feature. Just open Barcode Scanner, press Menu, Share and then select the app you want to share. A QRcode is then displayed on the screen. Barcode Scanner does not offer the SMS, Email or Tweet option at present.
- ChristophSmith says:
  
  February 25, 2010 at 4:07 pm
  
  One thing that Barcode Scanner has over App Referrer is the ability to share a contact, bookmark, or content on you clipboard. That is one way that I could see the whole process of scanning someone else's screen make sense, but for sharing Market links being able to send sms, email or tweet is much more useful.
  - Matt Lawrence says:
    
    February 25, 2010 at 7:14 pm
    
    I wrote an app that does this; try looking for ShareMyApps in the market. I don't have twitter integration (yet?), but you can copy your apps with links to the clipboard, or email them directly.
Sean Brady says:

February 25, 2010 at 4:18 pm

There is also an app available called App to QR which allows QR sharing for apps. Instead of just displaying the QR code on the screen it will search the market or share the app using the regular share options in Android. Slightly better than App Referrer IMO.
@JA_FS says:

February 25, 2010 at 8:10 pm

Vcard exchange between Android Phone and iphone works too ! http://www.slideshare.net/JackFischlum/two-easy-t…
@Partyaficionado says:

July 26, 2010 at 5:30 pm

Very cool. Thanks for this. I just downloaded my app's qr code. My recent post Have an Android phone Use your scanner to click on the code below to get directly to my app Soooo cool -

Android Apps and News

Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and Unpacked 2013

Diztronic case review for LG Nexus 4

Why I decided to purchase the Nexus 4

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - Verizon Remix Version

HTC DROID DNA Review

Samsung Galaxy Note II Review

Android Apps