Not sure if this is the right place this but, I have an idea on how to improve a feature:
The application updater, let me just start by saying that this feature is awesome and that I simply love it!
With that said, I would love it if this had a wider range of application support.
As of now I use FileHippo’s update checker, which is great and all but it does require manually downloading installation files for every single application that I need to update, while the Avast!'s application updater works much better, with a single push of a button the job is done.
If this product’s application updater was able to update all of my softwares and to do so silently without me even being promoted with any message… that would simply be awesome.
I am okay with this only being available for the premier version, would definitely serve as a reason for me to upgrade from the internet security version.
Essentially this is for applications that are A) targets of exploits and B) internet facing applications.
So it isn’t designed to be an all encompassing update solution. I rather doubt that avast would want to expand it too much outside of what it is doing now.
I understand this and agree with you but:
This is something no other AV solution offers, its an edge, and some one else already made all the hard work (filehippo.com) might as well team up with them (according to Axlexa rating they are unknown) get them some exposure, some income, and good game
… and there is more to that, think from the POV of an IT person, be it in enterprise environment or just the guy that takes care of his friends and family computers… saves time and hassle.
You only have to browse the forums to see that there are many people that don’t like the software updater at all, so there will always be two sides of a coin.
The more that is included the more work it is for avast to keep the Software Updater database up to date (something else that drew detractors when the existing database wasn’t fully up to date), also the more programs included the more intrusive it is likely to be.
Personally an AV shouldn’t be diversifying too much away from security otherwise it can become bloated. There are other such tools as you have mentioned FileHippo’s update checker, so I don’t feel avast should be trying to reinvent the wheel, but stick to the applications more targeted for malware exploit.