Can this be done.
I have an iphone at present, but i would never rule out buying an android phone in the future. Is it possible to download apps to your pc like you can with itunes and store them for when they are required. For instance, some apps get revoked from itunes, but if you already have it downloaded, its yours forever, also sometimes expensive apps are free for a while. I would like to have a collection of apps just in case one day i do switch to android.

Thanks in advance.

I've never tried doing this myself, and I suspect it might require that the phone is rooted (I'll leave you to google that. Also http://www.xda-developers.com/ is worth a trawl). However, what I have done for a select few apps which I've been concerned about preserving, is finding the installation file (.apk) online by googling, which you can then keep and install from if ever you need to completely reset or replace your phone. Unlike iPhones, you're not tied to just using the Market Place to install from.

On the htc desire, if you install ht(c) sync on your pc, you can download the apk file(s) and then via the sync app, you can load them on to the phone.
As above, you would have to find the apk file on the net or work out how to copy it off the phone to the pc.

Can't comment on other models/makes.

http://www.appbrain.com let's u download to pc.. and sync between phone..

Thanks for all the replies. Appbrain seems to have done the trick I can see that the app has downloaded, but i have no idea where it is kept.

I assume that it does not matter what pc i use as long as i log into my appbrain account., Is this correct?

I've just downloaded Opera Mini apk to my computer, then copied it over to the Defy and double clicked it from file manger to install it.

BTW Does anyone know if there is a windows program that will virus scan apk files?

I don't think it works like that.
http://www.appbrain.com/info/faq no.2
The pc is just way to easily view the apps and create a list. The install update is done on the phone via the market.

You can download apk files direct to a PC using these two sites below.

These are only the free stuff and others can be found.

www.getjar.com/

www.freewarelovers.com/android