App developers losing faith in Android

Google needs to invest more then

Google has the cash to splash on underwriting developments by small software houses which should result in it being profitable in the long run. They also need to invest in improving the app store of course.

By jaherd on 20 Nov 2009

A different people demographic

Isn't the problem here more about the user demographic. I would've thought that the people who have iPhones are people who have more disposible income, whereas the Android phones are considered non-premium handsets so consumers who 'just' want a phone use?

By Chatan on 20 Nov 2009

Demographic

I'd agree about the different demographic, but I'd put it slightly differently. The iPhone is more of a toy whereas I'd regard an Android phone as a more serious device.

By jgwilliams on 20 Nov 2009

I love android that was hugely disappointed in my experiences with the market. I lost money on Google couldn't even supply an e-mail address to ask for support. If things don't improve I will reluctantly have to move away from the platform next contract round.

By hjl4354 on 20 Nov 2009

Perception

I think there is also a perception amongst Android users (and this applies to many Linux users too) that, because it is Linux and Google, everything should be free.

By Bassey1976 on 20 Nov 2009

@jgwilliams lol! If you think the iPhone is "more of a toy", then you really don't understand businesses very well. You have learned your Microsoft written lines very well though.

With 100,000 apps available, the iPhone is what you make it into.

By SwissMac on 20 Nov 2009

I suggest @SwissMac that with comments like "You have learned your Microsoft written lines very well though", it is you who are parroting lines without thought.

This is a discussion about PHONES. The blunt truth is that Apple does have an image of style over substance. As an application support programmer, I have to say that the idea of 100k different applications is a joke. Apple's quoted test times for applications prove that. Nobody could seriously test that many apps that quickly if they did totally different things. 99k website equivalents plus 1k applications, possibly.

Maybe Android users just think a bit more.

By AdrianB on 20 Nov 2009

You've forgotten Microsoft Mobile (I mean, who wouldn''t?). As for thinking more, is that why they are deserting the Android platform?

Nowhere did I say the iPhone doesn't have some pretty pointless apps, but to say it is more toy like just because it has more toy type apps than Android has apps in total misses the point that the iPhone also has more business related apps than the Android has in total.

As for Microsoft, anyone who I ever met who works for Microsoft - directly or indirectly - always rubbishes their competition with FUD such as "It's a toy" for the iPhone or "it's OK if you just want things to look good" about Macs or "you get no support from Open Source" about Linux.

If you don't like it, and you've tried it, just say so. Otherwise you're just airing your prejudices.

By SwissMac on 20 Nov 2009

"You've forgotten Microsoft Mobile" - actually, no I haven't. We probably agree about its usefulness. My point was that an anti-iPhone comment got interpreted as pro-Microsoft, whereas the market in phones is much wider.
And yes - I did try someone's iPhone but curiously couldn't get on with its looks. It looked exactly like a 1950s tinplate box to me with all its icons printed on like tinplate toys were. Now that IS a personal opinion and I'm happy to say I'm probably in a minority of one.

By AdrianB on 21 Nov 2009

I have noticed that people who do not own an iPhone always rubbish them but most of the people that actually own them have never used a better phone.

By jamesrodger1 on 21 Nov 2009

I have an andriod phone my girlfriend an iphone. I think the major Android weakness is the marketplace it's so difficult to search for apps via the phone and I have not seen any games worth buying. A PC app for installing/uninstalling apps should be done ASAP, after all the multi-tasking and openess of android should be a major plus over the iphone.

High end phones like the Xperia X10 running Android will blast the iphone out of the water so the battle isn't over yet.

By kromax on 22 Nov 2009