Android vs. iPhone App Markets
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ivedoneyourmom said:I think that is something both android and iPhone users can agree on.(except for filthy 'pirates' which muck up everything, pay the damn 99c)
I admit I don't have enough knowledge of individual apps on the android platform either. Maybe this is something one should look at rather than these silly 10000 per week approved, I can turn off Bluetooth with telekinesis etc arguments.
I know I have good and bad experiences with my iPhone and I am sure android users have similar problems.
the android number is definitely inflated by garbage that makes it into the market by virtue of there being no oversight. I can go into the market and find multiple times the amount of apps that aren;t worth the bytes they take up then on the app store, which is why i tend to take the "app numbers" from the marketplace with a grain of salt
CharminUltra
Member
Wait, you are trying to argue that my arguments are invalid because I am biased? :lolgcubed said:
Newsflash: I am biased. You are obviously biased. Everyone in the world is biased in one way or another. Welcome to the internet.
electricpirate
Member
When it comes to games Apple has a leg up for sure, but i'm not sure if they really do in much else. When going in cold to find certain types of apps, I've found the experience very similar, both have a terrible ratio of good/crap, both have pretty standard filtering and rating options.
I think the big thing that apple does well is they really push the app store in their marketing and such. Motorola/Verizon started to do so with the droid phones, but that's pretty limited compared to the big initial appstore blitz.
I think the big thing that apple does well is they really push the app store in their marketing and such. Motorola/Verizon started to do so with the droid phones, but that's pretty limited compared to the big initial appstore blitz.
MarkMclovin
Member
The only problem I have with the Marketplace, is that I only seem to find the best widgets and apps through word of mouth, forums or Gaf.
I think they should split the Market between widgets and apps too.
I think they should split the Market between widgets and apps too.
CharminUltra
Member
The app store definitively has a lower percentage of crap apps compared to the Android market. With that said, the App Store has probably more crap apps than the Android Market because well, it just has more apps.Charred Greyface said:
It's like the free app situation. I can't find the exact article, but if remember correctly, while it was true that the Android Market had a higher percentage of free apps, the App Store had more free apps than the Android Market had apps.
- I own FeedR. But there are still multiple different feed readers and google reader clients available for free if you want them, FeedR was just the one that worked best for my needs.giga said:
- No use for the calculator.
- Not the biggest fan of chess, but honestly, a chintzy chess program is probably the worst example of something someone might be willing to pay extra for that I've ever seen. There are thousands of other free chess apps out there. As a fan of utility over glam, you wouldn't see that on any device I own (unless it's DAMN pretty). And that sure as hell isn't 8 bones pretty.
- That copy and paste thing would be something I'm interested in, but I wouldn't pay 4 dollars for it.
- You can get several different things just like ConvertBot for free.
- There's an ad-supported equivalent of Flight Control on the Market, and a paid version too. I wouldn't pay for it. I don't use my phone much to game and I can play infinitely better free flash games on my PC.
- I might pay for that camera thing if I cared enough, but HTC's camera app and my LED light app do most of what that one seems to do anyway. Don't really see the value in it.
- I already have a perfectly good free package tracker for my Evo. It supports UPS, USPS, FedEx and I think a few more which are all I order from so I'm set on that front. It does exactly what I need and nothing more or less. Why pay $5 to make it shinier?
- I would not pay to make Wikipedia prettier, no. I can go out and find my own knowledge if I want, and Wikipedia already has a random article button.
- Jackpot. I would definitely pay for that. It's ridiculously powerful for something on a phone and it is unique enough to warrant the price tag because there isn't much like it or anything that can even compare.
See, the thing is, I really don't see a point in paying for more than I need, for the most part. And most of those apps have perfectly functional free equivalents that do just as well even though they don't have as much of a spit-shine. But you shouldn't let that come across as "I'm unwilling to support developers whose programs I enjoy." I donated to the ChompSMS project (messaging replacement app) to remove ads but also to help keep the project going because it's one of the best apps I have on my phone. Same for Launcher Pro Plus because even if I don't need the premium features he's offering right now, I want that project to keep on going and I know it'll return massive value in the future. There are also certain cases where some free apps are just too ugly and badly coordinated to use, where some nice menus really do make the difference. This is why I own Touiteur, a gorgeous twitter app for android (that also has fantastic widgets and really awesome functionality).
Then there's also the fact that I like trying to find my own unique or interesting solutions to problems that I could just solve by paying for something. I would rather combine a few different apps to get some cool synergistic interplay than pay money for something that does that thing without the other setup because building those kinds of systems is just interesting to me. There are a lot of reasons to buy apps, and a lot of reasons not to buy them. But the general mentality on Android seems to be that if you want to put something in your pocket, you're going to need to impress the shit out of us.
GoldenEye 007
Member
josephdebono said:
Although I see what you're trying to say, but just did a search for 'beautiful' myself. Second result was beautiful widgets. Yeah, there is a lot of crap after that, but if you knew that you were looking for beautiful widgets, why does it even matter what is present after the fact?
I thought I read somewhere that with 2.2, the Marketplace search and some other issues were addressed and improved greatly from before. I've for sure noticed a much better usefulness for the search function on my Nexus One with 2.2.
Jamesfrom818
Banned
MarkMclovin said:
But some apps have their own widgets as well.
GoldenEye 007
Member
Oh, ok. That's what I was saying, then. If you've easily enough found what you were looking for, what does it matter if there is excess crap there?josephdebono said:
If I've lost my car keys, then found them, I'm done. I no longer have concern for anything else; my main task was accomplished.
GoldenEye 007
Member
Oh yeah, that's of course true. Numbers are padded around the board for sure with things that aren't really useful apps or possibly not true apps at all.josephdebono said:
I do like the new rating system, though. It really helps in weeding out useful apps from wastes of time. I sometimes just go to the all app category, select the top free or paid category, then scroll around for things that look somewhat useful to me. Comments and ratings take over from there.
Yeah, it seems like we differ a lot on our purchases. Of course there are always free equivalents of apps, but I'm just one who chooses to pay more for a better experience and interface. Putting Deep Green, PCalc, and Convertbot in the same category as the thousands of other chess apps is a travesty!Jayge said:
Yep.GoldenEye 007 said:
Another thing that is great about AppBrain is the Recommended Apps section where it tries to find similar apps to ones you have that it thinks you might like, which is very nice. It also has a hottest apps section for the last 24 hours and the last 7 days, so you can see whatever the trends are and what's on the up and up. Seriously guys, use AppBrain :lol
Flying_Phoenix
Banned
RubxQub said:
There is no way in hell Android is going to end up owning 95% of the market with iOS owning 5%.
People seem to forget two huge differences between the mobile/tablet computing wars and computer wars:
- Apple very well already has a stronghold on the media player market which is only going to grow.
- Apple has far more mindshare then they did twenty to twenty-five years ago. The i-Pad-Phone-Pod are all the hottest things in the consumer market now with the latter two being for some time. And they all run the same operating system.
- And most importantly price. Mac's have always been much more expensive then PC's. With the cheapest one currently being $700 and while very aesthetic is very weak for it's price. Meanwhile the iPad kicked off the tablet market for a $600. That's only going to get cheaper as time goes on (though probably not much). But there is also the iPod Touches which can sell new from $200. Apple is a company that prefers to have high-end aesthetically pleasing hardware and a lot of profit. Usually these are mutually exclusive, but Apple being the marketing and design genius's they are has both. Unfortunately being near (or in some cases at) double the price of your $600, $900, or $1200 competitors will quickly leave you getting kicked out of the common consumer market. However being near or double the price of your $300, $400, and $600 competitors won't really get you kicked out.
numble said:They also tie into the iTunes App Store and serve as an additional market for developers to create apps. As many iPhones that are out there in the wild, there are nearly as many iPod Touches.
So essentially including the iPad in that and you have more or less double the amount of devices. Then again cut that in half and you still get a huge lead in software support and revenue. Well unless my math is messed up. It's not really common to see different attach ratios for platforms, just look at gaming.
GoldenEye 007
Member
Oh, I don't even use AppBrain. This is browsing just from my phone's marketplace.Jayge said:
Dreams-Visions
Member
hold on a minute. the App Store was structurally just as good then as it is today. they just have more apps now. but the organization of it hasn't changed at all.Freyjadour said:
don't ever conflate the iPhone App Store with the Android Marketplace. Their iDevice App Store has NEVER been as obtuse to use as Android's store (from a UI perspective).
that being said, the Android Marketplace is fine as long as you know what you're looking for. But for casual browsing and happening upon gems...it is not for that.
Question to those with Android phones who have used the Marketplace:
do you think the Android marketplace would benefit from Google pushing it more and focusing a spotlight on apps the way apple does? do you think Google should have more of a hand in organizing and showcasing apps and actively pursuing devs to bring AAA titles to the platform? Are they capable of doing this without stepping on the toes of the carriers or handset makers? (ie: Is Google in a position to do this considering how much leverage those other two entities have with Android?)
my impression is that Android marketplace is much more the realm of hobbyists since theres still little money to be made and a relatively small worldwide market to sell to compared to the Apple App store. I feel Google (I dont think the carriers will do this) should start making a bigger effort to highlight apps from 3rd parties. in commercials, on the web. everywhere.
do you think the Android marketplace would benefit from Google pushing it more and focusing a spotlight on apps the way apple does? do you think Google should have more of a hand in organizing and showcasing apps and actively pursuing devs to bring AAA titles to the platform? Are they capable of doing this without stepping on the toes of the carriers or handset makers? (ie: Is Google in a position to do this considering how much leverage those other two entities have with Android?)
my impression is that Android marketplace is much more the realm of hobbyists since theres still little money to be made and a relatively small worldwide market to sell to compared to the Apple App store. I feel Google (I dont think the carriers will do this) should start making a bigger effort to highlight apps from 3rd parties. in commercials, on the web. everywhere.
Android Market already has a featured section on the front page.
For the android apps, does that include revenue from ads? I mean, a lot of android developers give their apps away for free and make revenue from ads...
I think this topic is mostly useless, though, since most people probably haven't had the time to actually use both markets...
For the android apps, does that include revenue from ads? I mean, a lot of android developers give their apps away for free and make revenue from ads...
I think this topic is mostly useless, though, since most people probably haven't had the time to actually use both markets...
GoldenEye 007
Member
In some ways, Google does do that. For instance, I've definitely downloaded apps that were displayed on my Marketplace widget as ads. Also, there are featured apps scrolling on the main app screen in each category in addition to apps featured in other parts of the Marketplace browsing experience. It definitely is not as in depth as I remember the App Store being with spotlighting a certain app or putting them in commercials or something (with the nature of the marketplace, I'm sure handset manufacturers would have to be relied on to highlight a particular app in a commercial or something since Google failed to really utilize the N1 to maybe push some things), but some level of that is there.LCfiner said:
I also think the payments have to be sorted out too. Everyone from every country should be able to sell and buy apps in the official marketplace at least. I don't have a clue why there is an issue with that. I think that would definitely help too.
To others, I'll have to try out AppBrain, then. I hope I don't like it because if I do, I'm going to keep putting off finals!
MidgarBlowedUp
Member
Ok fine I'll give my take on the stuff...
I don't like spending money, I like making more intelligent decisions when it comes to my money which is the reason I went with Android + T-mobile.
I've been on Verizon with a company discount without android and was paying about $90 per month. With android it was going to be something like $140 per month + more without the company discount. (currently laid off)
ATT was going to cost about the same, although I do get slightly better reception with ATT at my house than I do with Verizon, Altel, and T-mobile I still didn't really want the iphone since so many apps had to be purchased instead of available for free. Plus, T-mobile roams with edge free on ATT. I also didn't like being told how to use my phone, I got sick of being on lockdown at Verizon and I certainly wasn't going to deal with that at another phone company. I have broadband at home and can't get any form of 3G service from any provider here so voice coverage was the only thing I really cared about.
So, I went with T-mobile and picked the G1. I'm still with T-mobile this day and still using android (MyTouch Slide) and I'm still on the myfaves plan and guess what my total cost for unlimited messaging, downloads, voice, roaming, data, google navigation, 5 unlimited numbers, unlimited nights and weekends, and 300 anytime minutes is?
$85 per month tax included and I've never payed for an app. Yet I still have a phone that is capable of doing more than I'd ever need it to do. It's a good sounding phone with good reception, it's a Free GPS navigator that is very accurate, it's a Free and powerful MP3 player, it's a Free and good video player, it's a Free low powered and high powered flashlight via FlashApp and Akari, it's a free MP3 cover fetcher, a free 5mp camera with a flash, a free video recorder, a free barcode scanner, a free walkie talkie, a free old school handheld game console with real controls via the keyboard. I could go on and on about all the other features such as a timer, weather widget, rss reader, internet browser, free tethering device, email reader and notifier, youtube downloader and uploader, the list of stuff I get for only $85 per month goes on and on and on and continues to grow.
I simply can't do all this for that price on the iphone.
I don't like spending money, I like making more intelligent decisions when it comes to my money which is the reason I went with Android + T-mobile.
I've been on Verizon with a company discount without android and was paying about $90 per month. With android it was going to be something like $140 per month + more without the company discount. (currently laid off)
ATT was going to cost about the same, although I do get slightly better reception with ATT at my house than I do with Verizon, Altel, and T-mobile I still didn't really want the iphone since so many apps had to be purchased instead of available for free. Plus, T-mobile roams with edge free on ATT. I also didn't like being told how to use my phone, I got sick of being on lockdown at Verizon and I certainly wasn't going to deal with that at another phone company. I have broadband at home and can't get any form of 3G service from any provider here so voice coverage was the only thing I really cared about.
So, I went with T-mobile and picked the G1. I'm still with T-mobile this day and still using android (MyTouch Slide) and I'm still on the myfaves plan and guess what my total cost for unlimited messaging, downloads, voice, roaming, data, google navigation, 5 unlimited numbers, unlimited nights and weekends, and 300 anytime minutes is?
$85 per month tax included and I've never payed for an app. Yet I still have a phone that is capable of doing more than I'd ever need it to do. It's a good sounding phone with good reception, it's a Free GPS navigator that is very accurate, it's a Free and powerful MP3 player, it's a Free and good video player, it's a Free low powered and high powered flashlight via FlashApp and Akari, it's a free MP3 cover fetcher, a free 5mp camera with a flash, a free video recorder, a free barcode scanner, a free walkie talkie, a free old school handheld game console with real controls via the keyboard. I could go on and on about all the other features such as a timer, weather widget, rss reader, internet browser, free tethering device, email reader and notifier, youtube downloader and uploader, the list of stuff I get for only $85 per month goes on and on and on and continues to grow.
I simply can't do all this for that price on the iphone.
Particle Physicist
between a quark and a baryon
Subliminal said:
The iOS version and the Android version are actually very similar, he just posted pictures of different screens.
Unknown Soldier
Member
My friend has a lightsaber app on his iPhone, when you wave it around it makes the familiar lightsaber noises. I searched for one on Android Market for my new Droid X and couldn't find anything.
ThatObviousUser
ὠαἴÏÏιÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïαá¿Ï εἶ
I really would like to attempt to port my in-development game to iPhone, just to compare the experiences. But the base I'm using is highly tied to Android, and mix that in with predisposed preferences, it probably won't happen. 
Also I don't have a Mac or iOS device to test on. Ah well.
If I were making things from scratch, I'd try to do it primarily using C in the NDK to make porting as painless as possible. This developer did the opposite and was able to port his iPhone game to Android in about a week, which is quite frankly impressive. Thus, the reason games aren't prominent in Android yet is probably either worrying over piracy or ignorance at how easy the process is, probably a bit of both. I think the piracy issue will become less problematic as time goes on, Google had a big presence at GDC and they just released a hugely improved official DRM system.
Also I don't have a Mac or iOS device to test on. Ah well.
If I were making things from scratch, I'd try to do it primarily using C in the NDK to make porting as painless as possible. This developer did the opposite and was able to port his iPhone game to Android in about a week, which is quite frankly impressive. Thus, the reason games aren't prominent in Android yet is probably either worrying over piracy or ignorance at how easy the process is, probably a bit of both. I think the piracy issue will become less problematic as time goes on, Google had a big presence at GDC and they just released a hugely improved official DRM system.
numble said:
Stolen from Keyser Soze: The iTunes App Store on iPad now has Genius recommendations based on past downloads/purchases. I think this will be a pretty cool idea. Does iOS 4 on iPhone have the same thing yet? I haven't updated my old 3G.
Yeah, the iPhone App Store has Genius recommendations.
Keylime
ÏÎ¯Î»Ï á¼Î¾ÎµÏÎγλοÏÏον καί ÏεÏδολÏγον οá½Îº εἰÏÏν
9to5Mac also posted this on the subject as well (I think they must read GAF or something :lol )
http://www.9to5mac.com/apple_app_store_dominates
A good read, but more heavily slanted towards projecting this years data versus upcoming years.
http://www.9to5mac.com/apple_app_store_dominates
A good read, but more heavily slanted towards projecting this years data versus upcoming years.
MidgarBlowedUp said:
Eh, I dunno. Like everyone is saying, there are lots of free equivalents on both Markets for the basic stuff, which is most of what you listed. Other than that specific game type (which is more than covered by the catalogue of games anyway) none of that seems like it would be impossible to do for free, just at a glance.
AstroLad said:
Sometimes I feel like the person who built the Pandora recommendation engine is the same person who built the Netflix recommendation engine. Do you like "action-oriented violent gory science fiction"? Do you like "guitar-oriented high tempo rock and roll with female vocals"? Honestly, what the hell guys.
yeah for me pandora plays super mainstream stuff even when i set the radio off a really obscure artist. last.fm tends to do the opposite, which is much more what i'm looking for, but then again i guess they have the benefit of having logged thousands of plays from me and they do a pretty decent job with that info imoNerevar said:
Epsilon-delta
Banned
gcubed said:
I never seen a guy troll so hard on anything related to Android. :lol
Andrex said:I really would like to attempt to port my in-development game to iPhone, just to compare the experiences. But the base I'm using is highly tied to Android, and mix that in with predisposed preferences, it probably won't happen.
Also I don't have a Mac or iOS device to test on. Ah well.
If I were making things from scratch, I'd try to do it primarily using C in the NDK to make porting as painless as possible. This developer did the opposite and was able to port his iPhone game to Android in about a week, which is quite frankly impressive. Thus, the reason games aren't prominent in Android yet is probably either worrying over piracy or ignorance at how easy the process is, probably a bit of both. I think the piracy issue will become less problematic as time goes on, Google had a big presence at GDC and they just released a hugely improved official DRM system.
it will be interesting to see how/if the new DRM system eases developer concerns.
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