[jimueller]

I disagree that the long URL is a problem because I don't see people typing in mobile app store URLs. Either they search on the name or click a link. I do agree that it would be nice to have an app name that matters somewhere in the URL.

[rogerbinns]

I'm betting you are on iOS :-)

Links come from all over the place such as email and websites. I hope people have got into the habit of checking links before clicking on them!

In any event on Android from a web browser not on your device you can go to the Play store web site and install apps on your device.

It looks like you can do the same thing if you are on a system that has iTunes installed for iOS although it is more clicks and possibly involves cables.

[jimueller]

Actually, I'm one of those Windows Phone guys and I run CyanogenMod on my HP TouchPad, so I am familiar with the web versions of the Play store and Windows Marketplace.

I find I usually click on App URLs from sites like Engadget, that I trust.

[rogerbinns]

On Planet Android there are frequent posts along the lines of "10 best apps for X" (where X is something like exercise, cooking etc) or roundups of new games for week. It is reasonable to assume the posts are written because they are read.

Can you get an install to happen to your device when going to a Windows Marketplace page on a desktop (without tethering your device etc)?