Android Apps: What is the recommended targetSdk for broadest appeal?
- by johnrock
I have an Android app that only needs internet access and would like to target API level 3 (1.5) to reach the broadest handset base. However, it appears that targeting API level 3 implicitly requires two additional permissions that are visible to users: modify sd card, and read phone state.
See: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1747178/android-permissions-phone-calls-read-phone-state-and-identity)
So the connundrum, do I target API level 4 and turn away users running 1.5, or do I target API level 3 and turn away users who are upset that my app is requesting so many permissions that it shouldn't need?
What is the smartest thing to do here? Are there really a lot of users still limited to API level 3?
I appreciate any wisdom offered! Thanks!