The Android app store has finally hit 30,000 applications, which is more than double what was available in December - but they still lag behind Apple rate of application development. The most important factor, however, is still up in the air - with thousands of applications similar to the iFart application within the Apple app store, the difference in the quality of the apps may differ greatly.
The Android platform's app store has a large focus on open source, free applications in comparison to the iPhone's for-profit business model. Many developers attempt to release free applications with reduced functionality within the Apple store, which could effectively double the amount of applications within the store. With that said, there are multiple applications that do the same functions within the store - i.e. there are many text editors or instant messaging programs.
Many developers are releasing Android marketplace versions of their games for free while simultaneously releasing paid versions within the iTunes app store. It is possible that the Android marketplace's limited number of users (in comparison to the iPhone's market share) may be one of the compelling reasons why applications are not being created at a rapid rate, as the potential profit may not be compelling enough to bring developers over to the platform.
Marketing games for free on android would give people more of an incentive to purchase an android but i think if android gets a large amount of customers deveoplers would change there pricing.
ReplyDeleteThe main problem that I see with the iPhone moving forward is their 3G coverage. This has nothing to do with Verizon's new advertisments, however, as iPhone is partnered with the AT&T and I am a subscriber, I can say from personal experience that I lack coverage in almost 70% of Ypsilanti alone. Luckily I don't live out here!
ReplyDeleteWhen I see the andriod I see a future, the iphone is becoming old news. What I would really like to see is a more durable andriod type phone, I cant use smart phones because tend to break them a few days after I get it. So hope that can happen.
ReplyDeleteI see this static as skewed because android is a up and coming operating system for phones. And apple has been established for quite some time now. With the rise and popularity to increase within the upcoming years i expect this statistic to dramatically change in favor of android. And also there a lot of none sense apps that apple has out in the market which makes a difference.
ReplyDeleteNice post Joseph and very interesting. I'm an iPhone user and can attest to the amount of garbage on the itunes site. There is however, a lot of very useful apps such as ssh clients as well as many utilities that I utilize often. I'm pretty interested in the android operating system but I assume just like the iphone, the apps will be free until there are enough users to make cash, then they'll start charging. That seems to be the MO in the smart phone industry.
ReplyDeleteI agree with John Bonner's comment here. People are more familiar with Apple and that seems to give them the advantage. Some of their applications are silly but I know that a lot of teenagers like them. As more people get to know android their numbers should increase.
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