App developers still favor iOS despite Android's lead in marketshare
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Flurry's research reveals that 75% of new mobile app projects using Flurry's Analytics software used the iOS version of it during Q3 of this year. That is up from 63% of new mobile apps that used the iOS version of Flurry's software earlier this year. Google Chairman Eric Schmidt recently said that developers would favor Android in 2012 because of its lead in marketshare, but that doesn't seem to be the case so far.
Money might play a large part in this favoritism toward iOS. Flurry's metrics show that more money is spent on the iOS platform than on Android. For example, for every $1.00 that an app brings in on iOS, it generates just 24 cents on Android. Some of the reason for this is the easier payment method that is found on the App Store although Android is working on closing the gap using Google Wallet.
source: Flurry
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Most app developers prefer to write for iOS over Android | |
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26 Comments
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2. downphoenix posted on 13 Dec 2011, 18:54 5 0
google needs prepaid cards. That's one thing that helps apple a lot in this dept, all the kids with the phones their parents bought them spending their money on apps and such with itunes cards.
3. Dmann posted on 13 Dec 2011, 18:55 3 0
I don't know how it will be, since I can't predict the future.
But he probably said 2012 because of ICS, since Android is the smarphone marketshare leader for a while.
8. Lucas777 posted on 13 Dec 2011, 21:36 3 2
i dont think the android market will ever surpass the ios one in quality… in quantity possibly, but as demonstrated, high end app devs wont make as much money on android as they will on ios.. ya there is ads on android but who really wants every app they own to have ads flying everywhere… even wp is going to have a hard time catching up but i think it will become better than android in the long run…
14. Dmann posted on 14 Dec 2011, 00:57 1 0
I wouldn't dare to make that kind of assumption on an uncertain future.
If Android keeps this growth its market will be huge. I don't see why wouldn't developers make an Android version of their preexisting iOS apps.
It would be kind of a win-win situation for them. I believe this is already happening with smartphones as we can see more apps being ported to Android.
Unless Apple starts to give some kind of privilege (Infinity Blade) to stay on iOS only.
Devs may not get as much money from Android as on iOS. But they will get more money if they develop for both.
And if you don't like the ads, there is usually a paid no-ad version. People just usually prefer free things. Go figure. Lol.
20. Lucas777 posted on 14 Dec 2011, 09:41 0 0
the android market is already huge… yes some people would for apps that are easy to port, but what about things like infinity blade? and i agreee develop for both, but which one first?-- ios… and obviously people prefer free things but i really hate having every single app have ads.. a lot of free ones on iphone dont
4. Evil_SaNz posted on 13 Dec 2011, 19:06 6 5
Nothing new, they feel more "protected" with the closed and anti-piracy nature of iOS. Granted, they fail to realize that who's able to get free apps on android has no problems to do that on iOS aswell; a common iphone user passing to android would have issues getting through the default google software lock to unknown sources (silly but real), so basically would just buy from the google market.
The fact is that who gets an android phone has most likely a superior knowledge in technology than a common iphone user. Developers know that.
Iphone is designed to hook the masses, they are happy enough with a limited luxurious app launcher with a shiny apple on its back - just lacks the "now you're cool™" text below it
5. stealthd posted on 13 Dec 2011, 19:54 3 3
Developers know one thing: the App Store pays (a lot), the Android Market doesn't. It's that simple. You didn't need to make a ton of wild assumptions to reach that conclusion.
6. Doakie posted on 13 Dec 2011, 20:17 3 4
Independent thought frowned upon? Sounds like a typical Apple user. How do you guys keep from crashing into each other with your hive mind leader Jobs dead?
12. rasinhussy posted on 13 Dec 2011, 23:28 1 5
@Doakie Comments like this are really getting irritating.
Let me guess you love Android? It was your first smartphone because your mom didn't give you enough money for an iPhone.
You use Android because it is SO open source but keep using your Windows machine.
Just be quiet and go to bed, you have school in the morning.
16. UltraElectroMagneticPOP posted on 14 Dec 2011, 02:59 1 0
I respect both Doakie's and your viewpoints. However, what sort of ticked me off was this:
"Let me guess you love Android? It was your first smartphone because your mom didn't give you enough money for an iPhone."
Come on. For a lot of people, an android phone is not a consolation for not being able to have an iphone. AND, most android users THINK before buying a phone, to be able to acquire what best suit their preferences. That's the beauty of android. You get to choose. You want a big screen? Get a 4.3 incher or bigger. You want something compact, get a smaller handset. You want a good camera, get the best android camera phone. Etc, etc... And then, when you've bought your phone, you can customize it even more, even if you don't root it. One more thing, android phones tend to be sturdier than iphones. You can brag about the design of your delicate glass phone all you want. Until you drop it and it shatters to a million tiny pieces, and looks ugly and unusable. Drop an android phone, and almost always, you wouldn't even see a dent when you pick it up.
So please, refrain from saying someone owns an android just because s/he can't afford an iphone. Some android phones cost as much, or even more than, an iphone. And those sell like hotcakes! Even with a lot of other android handsets available!
*coming from someone with a fairly customized non-rooted android phone, an ipod, and a windows pc he built himself.
9. Stuntman posted on 13 Dec 2011, 21:43 0 0
It's all about the money. If I want to make money, I'd choose the platform that will generate the most revenue for me. It's as simple as that.
If the Android market share continues to grow to a point where revenue from Android exceeds that of iOS, then I will target Android. There may be other things that Google can do to help with revenue as well. We'll have to see what else they can do.
13. thebikerboi2 posted on 13 Dec 2011, 23:53 0 0
your theory is sounds good when you say it like that, but theres the added hurdle of what devices support your apps, this problem was encountered by the developers of the facebook app for android, they were overwhelmed by the amount of devices to support.
11. Whateverman posted on 13 Dec 2011, 22:41 3 0
Do we have to see this same old story EVERY month??? This one and the "Android is the leading OS article are regulars on PA, but there is never anything new to add to the story. Let us know when something changes.
