iOS Continues to Hold Significant Lead over Android in Developer Interest

[yakapo]

Maybe I'm the minority, but apple has had my credit card info for itunes before I bought my first apple product. It was an easy transition to using it for my first iphone and wife's ipad. We purchased plenty of software for the ipad / iphone.
Now, my wife and I are using android phones and I never bothered giving them any credit info. I've never bought anything for the google app store... -not b/c we pirate or anything. I'm not totally sure why we haven't bought apps for android. We still buy apps for the ipad.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I went on the Android store, and it's full of trash.

WTF are you talking about?!

Maybe I'm the minority, but apple has had my credit card info for itunes before I bought my first apple product. It was an easy transition to using it for my first iphone and wife's ipad. We purchased plenty of software for the ipad / iphone.
Now, my wife and I are using android phones and I never bothered giving them any credit info. I've never bought anything for the google app store... -not b/c we pirate or anything. I'm not totally sure why we haven't bought apps for android. We still buy apps for the ipad.

I am in the same boat, but my reason is that many of the apps that I use on my EVO are free.

The only apps I actually have paid for on my iPad are either games, that have free version on Android, or productivity apps like iWork, Things, and Billings, that don't have Android equivalents.

Apps like Evernote, Dropbox, Google Docs, ColorNote, Gmail, Pandora, Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, doubleTwist (to sync Android with iTunes) WHERE, Angry Birds, Fruit Slice, BBC News, CNN, etc. are all either FREE or don't have in your face in app advertising.

 

[mknopp]

Originally Posted by Flitzy View Post
It just re-establishes my point:

Android is for hobbyists/tech-heads/open-source zealots and iOS is for actual users.

This is also a common misconception about Android.

I agree. The vast majority of people that I know who own Android phones are average users. And, while anecdotal, this supports the stats from this article. Most of the Android users that I know own and Android PHONE. Emphasis on phone for a reason. These people don't really care that they own an Android phone for the Android OS. They own and Android phone because when they went to replace their feature phone the salespeople at their carrier talked them into getting an Android phone because it could browse the web better and give directions better than the built-in apps that their feature phone had.

In other words, the majority of Android users that I know own and Android "smartphone" but use it just like they did their feature phone. If they downloaded any apps it was the free "basics", like Facebook or Twitter or Pintrest (basically ports of programs that they use on the computer) or some of the biggest names in casual gaming like Angry Birds or Words with Friends. They don't really care about any other apps. To these "actual users" they own an Android phone because it was cheap and pushed by the carrier and unless they had a prior interest in an app or it becomes a national phenom they don't care about apps, because first and foremost they bought a PHONE that just happens to do some other things.

The vast majority of iPhone users that I know bought a device that works with the Apple ecosystem (iTunes) and also happens to make phone calls. These are people who owned iPods before and now want to buy an iPod that makes calls. More recently I am finding people who have bought an iPad and are talking about buying an iPhone because it can use some of the same programs.

In short, Android is more about selling phones that can do other things, while iOS is about more about selling the ecosystem (which includes apps) and some of those devices (iPhones) can make phone calls.

To me, that is what accounts for the difference in app creation and the better return generally seen for iOS developers over Android.

I also feel that this is why Android tablets have floundered so badly. There isn't really any organization to push them. About the only Android tablet that has really had any really good numbers is the exception because it had Amazon pushing it. And like the Android phones the majority of people that I know who bought the Kindle Fire basically bought an e-Reader that could do some more stuff. I know a handful that bought it more as an inexpensive tablet (as a tablet), all but one of them has ended up buying an iPad, mostly used older models and for not much more than they paid for the Kindle Fire.

 

[Digital Skunk]

........

All total FUD.

I bought my Android because at the time it did things the iPhone couldn't do. And even now, still can't do.

 

[Mad-B-One]

I am unfamiliar with the "4LTE".

That is the one for Verizon. I have it. It doesn't have a tray on the side since it doesn't need a SIM. It has different hardware hence, as a dev might use that, you want to see if your software doesn't hickup on it. It is "supposed" to be no difference since you don't have root control with the Apps (as is my understanding) but remembering my days in Beta Testing and Support, the hardware does not always do what the software tells it to do - just one hardware component different and you might get a different result.
One BIG difference to the original iPhone 4 is that you cannot talk and use 3G network services at the same time. That might definitely put some limitations on some Apps you want to see how they react.

 

[Kludge420]

...another way to interpret those charts is this: Interest in iOS is slowly dropping and the interest in Android at the same time is increasing.

Exactly! I love my iPad (I'm typing this on it now) but that doesn't mean I get to ignore reality. The real story is that Android is attracting more developers and I say good for them; if enough developers switch maybe Apple will be forced to play nicer with developers.

 

[Mad-B-One]

Talk about reality distortion fields. It's like the Chatholic church issueing a news releases titled, "Priests rarely rape children."

You, and they, missed the point. In reality developers are switching to Android in dramatically increasing numbers... and sometimes priests rape children. Those are the important facts so spinning them to try to make iOS or the Catholic church look better only highlights the reality and your inability to accept it.

Proof? Or are you just trolling? As I see it, the iOS numbers still increased and the Adroid numbers just increased more than iOS - so where did you get the idea that they are "switching to Android in dramatically increasing numbers?"

EDIT: If you could read statistics, you would realize that the only decrease in that chart is on developers for Android in Q2 2011. There was never a decrease in iOS devs. It rather seems that iOS dev are reaching a stable max. If you don't believe me, chat with your local college, they offer Stats classes.

 

[Seiga]

Hi,

Yes, however that means spending money. I don't have money to spend on advertising. I also think that my return from advertising would be about 10:1 or there a bouts. As in every 10 I spend, I might get back 1. Again, it only works if you are one of the main players.

Maybe one day I'll hit the jackpot and people will go to www.lazybrush.co.uk to play my games.... until then... I'll keep on dreaming...

andy

It is still cheaper than apple's license to use iTunes to upload your app. The 99 dollar fee is it?

 

[tigress666]

All total FUD.

I bought my Android because at the time it did things the iPhone couldn't do. And even now, still can't do.

Uh, I don't think that acronym means what you think it means.

I don't see any FUD in his post.

Maybe he's wrong in his theory, but his theory isn't using fear, uncertainty, and doubt. I don't see him saying the sky is falling or that Android is going to fail. Or trying to make people people fear using Android. It's just making his own observations on what he feels may be the reason behind the fact you see more people paying for apps on iOS vs. Android.

Just cause you disagree with his assessment and you may be right, doesn't make it fear, uncertainty, and doubt. It just means you disagree/it's wrong.

 

[Mad-B-One]

It is still cheaper than apple's license to use iTunes to upload your app. The 99 dollar fee is it?

Yea, that is what you dream off - reality, banner klicks cost you probably more as a small dev than they bring in. Banners are often places where people use them accidently because it creates revenue to the one posting it. If you can invest in banners for a while, let's sey a couple of $1000 stacks, you get washed up to the top charts and you can stop advertising because your App is selling itself (or at least you make more money than you spend). For the underdogs, not so much so. How much does a click go for these days? 20c or so? Now, if you have a 99c App and every 10th person buys it, you spend $2 on $0.99 (minus the fees) - that only makes sense if you get into the charts and it starts selling itself. Check the charts how many downloads you need to get in and you will see that my numbers were rather optimistic. First, I doubt that every 10th person would buy it and then I think that clicks are actually more expensive.

Edit: $0.15-$0.40 is a banner click. So, my guess wasn't too bad. $0.15 is rather you buy BIG - like several thousands e.g. car advertisements etc.

 

[Digital Skunk]

...

It has a much broader meaning, especially outside of the tech world that just spreading Fear Uncertainty and Doubt.

"FUD is generally a strategic attempt to influence perception by disseminating negative and dubious or false information."

The key in the other posts point is the false information. It may not have been the best acronym to use, but simply spreading false information wrapped up in small perceptions is like cancer on these forums.

 

[Wicked1]

so it would seem to me the world doesn't need open source as many point out, and the developers and ppl using these products are ok with Apple's closed end system because it works well and it is clean.

Interesting, now if we can only get the reports to realize by comparison Apple is outselling Android. One iOS via three models by one mfg selling like hot cakes, verse Many mfg's with many different versions of Android? Humm wonder what will happen when Motorola is put into the mix since it is now owned by Google...I say, HTC, Samsung, and others will suffer

 

[ristlin]

It has a much broader meaning, especially outside of the tech world that just spreading Fear Uncertainty and Doubt.

"FUD is generally a strategic attempt to influence perception by disseminating negative and dubious or false information."

The key in the other posts point is the false information. It may not have been the best acronym to use, but simply spreading false information wrapped up in small perceptions is like cancer on these forums.

Let's all be friends and be happy that App developers can make money with iOS and are starting to increase revenue with Android too.

 

[Mad-B-One]

I found a good article...

... which would explain a few things:

This article is from Mobile Phone Development:

If you are interested in Android vs iOS development you might take a look at uTest’s State of Mobile App Quality infographic. The infographic is based on data obtained from hundreds of thousands of comments on tens of thousands of apps.

The two app categories that have noticable differencies in satisfaction are games and tools. Users are less satisfied with games on Android and with tools on iOS.

The problem with games on Android is that it’s more difficult to create smooth games in Java. Java garbage collection can ruin the experience and it’s necessary to instead write in c using the Android NDK which is a lot more tricky. Also, games houses have preferred iOS where users are known be willing to pay for apps. Hence, the best games are on iOS. Tools on iOS are much less capable than those on Android due to the more restrictive programming API and Apple’s tighter T&Cs on what apps are allowed to do.

The infographic also tells us about stuff users hate…

The largest differences in satisfaction seem to be due to the Android install mechanism the price of iOS apps. However, even Android users are fairly dissatisfied with the price of apps.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Let's all be friends and be happy that App developers can make money with iOS and are starting to increase revenue with Android too.

Never had any other intention, but if someone is wrong they are wrong.

 

[inscrewtable]

Microsoft fragmentation policy vs Apple's total OS and hardware integration, after 30 years is finally and crushingly vindicated against all comers as well as Google.

It's truly a shame that Jobs missed out on this victory which he fought so hard and passionately for, for so long.

 

[JAT]

It has a much broader meaning, especially outside of the tech world that just spreading Fear Uncertainty and Doubt.

"FUD is generally a strategic attempt to influence perception by disseminating negative and dubious or false information."

The key in the other posts point is the false information. It may not have been the best acronym to use, but simply spreading false information wrapped up in small perceptions is like cancer on these forums.

So...you're wrong, but it's ok....because you say so. Check.

I happen to agree completely with the OP. Your techie behavior is one person and has zero influence on the average phone user. There are more people acting like his comments than there are behaving like yours.

I see average users switching from Android to iOS because they see someone else has something cool and they want to do it. Probably, they can already do it with their Android phone, but they don't know that. I explain basic stuff all the time to iOS people, too.

It's absolutely amazing the disconnect between techie types discussing electronics online and the average person. Yet you think you know what they want or understand the scope of their knowledge. Talk about "wrong".

 

[d0vr]

But an image is an image, and Android being an "open source" system giving people an impression that everything can be "free" in their world, either by pirating apps or adware.

I will laugh my head off when it becomes common for developers to charge for access to their open source works. I can picture it now, watching the many people who don't understand that free as in free-dom doesn't always need to mean free as in beer.

 

[samcraig]

Maybe I'm the minority, but apple has had my credit card info for itunes before I bought my first apple product. It was an easy transition to using it for my first iphone and wife's ipad. We purchased plenty of software for the ipad / iphone.
Now, my wife and I are using android phones and I never bothered giving them any credit info. I've never bought anything for the google app store... -not b/c we pirate or anything. I'm not totally sure why we haven't bought apps for android. We still buy apps for the ipad.

First - There are a quite a few apps you have to pay for on iOS that are available free on Android. Second you might have realized (consciously or not) that many of the paid apps you use aren't worth re-purchasing and/or even get used. Why would you buy them (again)?

As for me - I have bought on both platforms. Less on Android simply because I've had an iPhone and iPad for a few years and my wife has an iPhone. Good bang for the buck WHEN I purchase as we both benefit. Also - like I mentioned - now that I have an Android phone - I am only buying Apps that I genuinely use since I can still use my iPad and my (or my wife's) iPhone 4.

 

[Digital Skunk]

So...you're wrong, but it's ok....because you say so. Check.

I happen to agree completely with the OP. Your techie behavior is one person and has zero influence on the average phone user. There are more people acting like his comments than there are behaving like yours.

I see average users switching from Android to iOS because they see someone else has something cool and they want to do it. Probably, they can already do it with their Android phone, but they don't know that. I explain basic stuff all the time to iOS people, too.

It's absolutely amazing the disconnect between techie types discussing electronics online and the average person. Yet you think you know what they want or understand the scope of their knowledge. Talk about "wrong".

Great, you have your opinion, I have mine. Check the meaning of FUD and misinformation while you're at it. You can say what you want, but not having any proof and spitting conjecture is spreading misinformation.

Let's not turn this into a pissing match because I hurt someones feelings okay.

 

[nuckinfutz]

Sorry, but I can't follow your logic and don't see what one thing might have to do with the other.

Anyway, another way to interpret those charts is this: Interest in iOS is slowly dropping and the interest in Android at the same time is increasing.

Which is not surprising at all considering that the Android platform is outselling iOS devices. Well, at least in the entire rest of the world. You Americans live on an island and your market is not representative for the rest of the planet.

True but other than India and China we are the third most populous nation on the Globe and enjoy a high standard of living.

Android will do well in developing markets but that's not were the margin and profits are.

Despite the trash talking about Android and other phones I like the competition because we all get better phones.

I get all weepy eyed when we had the same competition between Intel and AMD back in the days and the consumer got better performing parts for a cheaper price.

 

[Mad-B-One]

True but other than India and China we are the third most populous nation on the Globe

Depends: If you take the European Union as a federation of nations, it's 1.5x USA (300k vs 450k) and in many respects, it is handled like one country: It has a parliament, a court which is the equivalent of the US Supreme Court, and governs all kinds of things throughout the EU. There are no borders between them (which extends even to non-members like Swizerland). The once souverain nations which are members of the EU are in many respects more and more similar to states of the USA.

Edit: And that comes from the CIA in matter of GDP 2011:

1 European Union $ 15,390,000,000,000 2011 est.

2 United States $ 15,040,000,000,000 2011 est.

3 China $ 11,290,000,000,000 2011 est.

4 India $ 4,463,000,000,000 2011 est.

 

[nuckinfutz]

Depends: If you take the European Union as a federation of nations, it's 1.5x USA (300k vs 450k) and in many respects, it is handled like one country: It has a parliament, a court which is the equivalent of the US Supreme Court, and governs all kinds of things throughout the EU. There are no borders between them (which extends even to non-members like Swizerland). The once souverain nations which are members of the EU are in many respects more and more similar to states of the USA.

Good point

 

[Sensation]

Microsoft fragmentation policy vs Apple's total OS and hardware integration, after 30 years is finally and crushingly vindicated against all comers as well as Google.

It's truly a shame that Jobs missed out on this victory which he fought so hard and passionately for, for so long.

What victory? His precious ios being outsold by Android and developers flocking to Android?

 

[Seiga]

Yea, that is what you dream off - reality, banner klicks cost you probably more as a small dev than they bring in. Banners are often places where people use them accidently because it creates revenue to the one posting it. If you can invest in banners for a while, let's sey a couple of $1000 stacks, you get washed up to the top charts and you can stop advertising because your App is selling itself (or at least you make more money than you spend). For the underdogs, not so much so. How much does a click go for these days? 20c or so? Now, if you have a 99c App and every 10th person buys it, you spend $2 on $0.99 (minus the fees) - that only makes sense if you get into the charts and it starts selling itself. Check the charts how many downloads you need to get in and you will see that my numbers were rather optimistic. First, I doubt that every 10th person would buy it and then I think that clicks are actually more expensive.

Edit: $0.15-$0.40 is a banner click. So, my guess wasn't too bad. $0.15 is rather you buy BIG - like several thousands e.g. car advertisements etc.

I wasn't talking about banner ads. I was talking about promoting via Google Play. 99 a year vs. 25 a lifetime + promote. It's cheaper through Google. Also, the cut that Google takes is less than the cut apple takes.