View how apps look on multiple API levels

Question

My new obsession is to see how specific applications run on different versions of Android. As a beginner I think it's important for me to see how different developers go about releasing their applications for old API levels.

I downloaded Google I/O 2012 conference app onto my galaxy nexus, and it looks pretty good with the use of the holo theme and all. But how would I go about viewing that app on my 2.3 emulator (I'm really interested how they handle the holo theme on the old version)? I read some other stack overflow posts that it is possible to install an .apk onto an emulator so that is not the problem. I just need to get the .apk from the Google Play. Does anyone know if this is possible? Additionally, since my overall goal is to see bold text above is there another way I should go about this?

The only solution I can think of is to find a friend with a low Android version and tell them to download the app so I can compare. Is there really no better way?

Answer 1

But how would I go about viewing that app on my 2.3 emulator (I'm really interested how they handle the holo theme on the old version)?

Wait until it is released as open source (reportedly after the conference), then build it and install it on your emulator.

I just need to get the .apk from the Google Play. Does anyone know if this is possible?

Only by violating copyright.

Additionally, since my overall goal is to see bold text above is there another way I should go about this?

You could download the source code for other open source applications and build them, such as the 2011 Google I|O conference app.