[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Instagram Release Shows Why Developers Pick iOS Over Android here

[kjohn034]

The Android scene reminds me a lot of the Linux desktop scene. Has anyone ever actually bought a Linux software application? You can download a bunch of Linux apps but very few of them ever seem to be of commercial quality. That mentality doesn't pay the bills as the Android developers are finding out. In the end the free market will decide Android's fate.

[ThomasYang]

Let me just said that this post is invalid.

Firstly, "Android device owners just can't figure out how to use their phones' Wi-Fi", may I ask where do you get this result from?

Secondly, someone make games for IOS and Android, and it doesn't sell well in Android, so its the platform problem? are you expecting consumer to follow every trend others follow?

For the third argument, I personally agree that there are just too many types of Android model out there that are hard for developers. Even so, why do people jump into trouble themselves instead of sticking to IOS?

Lastly, you're saying that buying an iphone is a winner, then what if people prefer a larger screen instead of the 3.5" screen offered by iphone?

[hellopoco]

"Lex Friedman is a staff writer for MACWORLD? says it all. Biased crap of an article.

[HankRearden]

PCWorld, on 05 April 2012 - 02:16 PM, said:

Post your comments for Instagram Release Shows Why Developers Pick iOS Over Android here

This echos my experience with Android. Owned 3 Android phones and 2 tablets, which I still have, and ended up switching to the iPad and iPhone. The apps just aren't there for Android. My tablets have never seen an update. I had a Phone on 2.3, a tablet on 3.1 and as the author points out, Honeycomb has already been declared old news and now it's Ice Cream Sandwich. So I have devices with older OSes that the manufactures seem content not to upgrade. And who cares because the tablet specific apps out there are few and far between anyway.

So I bet Android users are just dying to challenge me. Ask me what I own would be first on your minds. I own an 8.9" G-Slate from LG from T-Mobile and a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. The samsung had to be replaced a whopping 4 times in a row due to a defect in the screen which makes it look like their is an oil slick there. The 5th one does this too but I got tired of getting them replaced. Google it if you like. There are people who traded theirs in 7 times in a row and then gave up like I did. Samsung is clueless.

Samsung, I am told is considering updating the 10.1. I'll believe it when I see it. And LG, well let's just say I'll never buy a phone or tablet from LG again. Absolutely the WORST company on the planet, but what do I expect from GOLDSTAR. That's who LG really is.

What to challenge me on the apps? I still own both tablets and will be more than happy to fire them both up and describe in detail the apps I use and why they are horrible.

I think the author nailed it when he suggested that many of these phones are likely used as touch screen phones and texting only. I happen to agree with that. I see it all the time. I hate to sound like a former poster who used to troll these forums but I do see a lot of... well let's just say I see a lot of people with cheap phones from Metro PCS using these cheap-o Android phones for nothing more than just texting and a phone. They're not buying apps or using the phone for much. It might as well be a feature-phone.

I think quite a few companies went after the really low end market for Metro PCS, Virgin and Boost and they sell these phones unsubsidized for $99. Often with 600 or 800 MHz CPUs, 320 x 480 3.5" displays and low cost plans. Likely being sold to the same people that buy those Pentium based $330 laptops that are so heavy the Hulk complains his shoulder's hurt carrying the laptop for any extended period.

I won't say there aren't amazing Android phones out there. Heck yeah there are. Lot's of them. I just think Samsung, HTC et al release far too many of them too often and they don't support them into the future. Android just doesn't seem to be a quality product. Like Dell, selling low cost with as much spec as possible. That's their game. That's all they know how to do. They're not building a solid platform. They're just building lot's of phones, as fast as possible and releasing them over and over again. Too often. Not focused on building a platform.

[Nuke61]

PCWorld, on 05 April 2012 - 02:16 PM, said:

So it's clearly not uncommon for hugely successful apps to launch on the iPhone, only to show up on Android many moons later. But for apps to make the opposite leap--from Android to iPhone--is exceedingly uncommon.

The author seems to have pretty much nailed it. When I go to update my Android apps I almost always wait several days after the update notice is sent to let the early adopters suffer the slings and arrows. All too often I read about updates that either don't work at all, or are worse than earlier versions -- on CERTAIN combinations of Android phones or OS versions. On my iPad I just update, because iOS developers don't have to worry about developing for a much broader range of hardware and software combinations. This is simply the unavoidable second edge of the double-edged sword that is Android. While there is some fragmentation in the iOS/iDevice world, it is much more pronounced in the Android world.

[gizmo385]

kjohn034, on 05 April 2012 - 03:49 PM, said:

The Android scene reminds me a lot of the Linux desktop scene. Has anyone ever actually bought a Linux software application? You can download a bunch of Linux apps but very few of them ever seem to be of commercial quality. That mentality doesn't pay the bills as the Android developers are finding out. In the end the free market will decide Android's fate.

Android reminds you of the Linux scene? I'm sorry, but that is incredibly foolish to believe. The Linux desktop scene is extremely underground (sorta) and typically underdeveloped. The only thing that is similar is the open source set up of Android and Linux.

Most strong Apple aficionados have of yet to realize the reason that many people are migrating to Android. We seek the ability to freely customize our devices to our desire. I enjoy being able personalize my device completely and freely without fear of being brought to court by a company a petty as Apple. Sure, they make great phones. But they are limited. As is any technology. I simply see the benefits of Android greater than the benefits of iOS.

[Jon67a6]

xMATTPERKINSxk9op, on 05 April 2012 - 05:05 PM, said:

ThomasYang, on 05 April 2012 - 04:32 PM, said:

Let me just said that this post is invalid.

Firstly, "Android device owners just can't figure out how to use their phones' Wi-Fi", may I ask where do you get this result from?

Secondly, someone make games for IOS and Android, and it doesn't sell well in Android, so its the platform problem? are you expecting consumer to follow every trend others follow?

For the third argument, I personally agree that there are just too many types of Android model out there that are hard for developers. Even so, why do people jump into trouble themselves instead of sticking to IOS?

Lastly, you're saying that buying an iphone is a winner, then what if people prefer a larger screen instead of the 3.5" screen offered by iphone?

You clearly have never had both an Android and iOS device and speak merely from the Android user perspective. So I recommend getting an iDevice and compare to Android before acting like you know something.

I am surprised by your "expertise" in both Android and iOS. Maybe you could share what you know about iDevices and Android that I dont know. Just to have you know, I have owned both devices and both have merits and not without fault. Just to have you know, I owned a ipad2 , phone 4, macbook pro, windows netbook and now using a samsung galaxy note. I dont even wanna go into the uselessness of the new ipad LTE that is not compatible with 80% of the world's LTE bandwidth yet sells to the 80%! Imagine I sell you a HD TV but tells you that only Japan is able to view channels in HD, you can still watch the channels in "normal" mode would you be pleased?

Can I also ask how many apps did you actually pay for in you iDevice? I know I paid for some on my ipad and iphone, but for those that I paid for, I got most of them free on android.

[ScottColbertfexo]

iOS developers are lazy, and would rather do a half assed port than actually develop an Android app.

[RobertoRecine]

I'll show you why I pick Android over iOS, it saves me MONEY. There are ton of free services that share pictures, who cares about Instagram. I also have a couple of personal websites I can upload my pictures. After you spend $400 + + + and Apple tells you what to do I guess you need to justify to yourself you made a great purchase. Every time I show an iphone user what I can do for less it impresses them. Much more effective than this article.

[MikeYostjodt]

Nuke61, on 05 April 2012 - 08:02 PM, said:

PCWorld, on 05 April 2012 - 02:16 PM, said:

So it's clearly not uncommon for hugely successful apps to launch on the iPhone, only to show up on Android many moons later. But for apps to make the opposite leap--from Android to iPhone--is exceedingly uncommon.

The author seems to have pretty much nailed it. When I go to update my Android apps I almost always wait several days after the update notice is sent to let the early adopters suffer the slings and arrows. All too often I read about updates that either don't work at all, or are worse than earlier versions -- on CERTAIN combinations of Android phones or OS versions. On my iPad I just update, because iOS developers don't have to worry about developing for a much broader range of hardware and software combinations. This is simply the unavoidable second edge of the double-edged sword that is Android. While there is some fragmentation in the iOS/iDevice world, it is much more pronounced in the Android world.

I agree with what you are saying, but, I would rather have a much broader choice of phones/tablets and have to wait an extra week for a bug to be fixed.

[crosswordbob]

RobertoRecine, on 06 April 2012 - 05:59 AM, said:

I'll show you why I pick Android over iOS, it saves me MONEY. There are ton of free services that share pictures, who cares about Instagram. I also have a couple of personal websites I can upload my pictures. After you spend $400 + + + and Apple tells you what to do I guess you need to justify to yourself you made a great purchase. Every time I show an iphone user what I can do for less it impresses them. Much more effective than this article.

Apple has never told me what to do. Also, I have seen many Android devices, but none have greatly impressed me.

[RobertoRecine]

crosswordbob, on 06 April 2012 - 06:50 AM, said:

RobertoRecine, on 06 April 2012 - 05:59 AM, said:

I'll show you why I pick Android over iOS, it saves me MONEY. There are ton of free services that share pictures, who cares about Instagram. I also have a couple of personal websites I can upload my pictures. After you spend $400 + + + and Apple tells you what to do I guess you need to justify to yourself you made a great purchase. Every time I show an iphone user what I can do for less it impresses them. Much more effective than this article.

Apple has never told me what to do. Also, I have seen many Android devices, but none have greatly impressed me.

I haven't seen an iphone that impresses me either, but my Motorola Atrix ($100 on Amazon 1.5 years ago) and my Transformer Prime 64GB ($595.00 on Amazon) are awesome. Are they perfect? No, but neither is your ipad and iphone. So I choose to save money. The Amazon FREE daily app saves me more, Widgets (Widgets are far superior than Siri - they provide information according to your settings and no talking and no pushing a button required), Live Wallpapers, 4G (1.5 years ago), dual-core processor (1.5 years ago), Flash. These things don't impress you? You deserve to use an iphone, good luck.

[RobertoRecine]

RobertoRecine, on 06 April 2012 - 07:06 AM, said:

crosswordbob, on 06 April 2012 - 06:50 AM, said:

RobertoRecine, on 06 April 2012 - 05:59 AM, said:

I'll show you why I pick Android over iOS, it saves me MONEY. There are ton of free services that share pictures, who cares about Instagram. I also have a couple of personal websites I can upload my pictures. After you spend $400 + + + and Apple tells you what to do I guess you need to justify to yourself you made a great purchase. Every time I show an iphone user what I can do for less it impresses them. Much more effective than this article.

Apple has never told me what to do. Also, I have seen many Android devices, but none have greatly impressed me.

I haven't seen an iphone that impresses me either, but my Motorola Atrix ($100 on Amazon 1.5 years ago) and my Transformer Prime 64GB ($595.00 on Amazon) are awesome. Are they perfect? No, but neither is your ipad and iphone. So I choose to save money. The Amazon FREE daily app saves me more, Widgets (Widgets are far superior than Siri - they provide information according to your settings and no talking and no pushing a button required), Live Wallpapers, 4G (1.5 years ago), dual-core processor (1.5 years ago), Flash. These things don't impress you? You deserve to use an iphone, good luck.

Almost forgot to mention my Prime is thinner, lighter, faster than the New ipad. Games is an even battle and movies are better on the Prime due to the 10.1" display. Reading text on the ipad must be amazing, but who cares. The Prime doesn't overheat like the ipad and the battery charges while in use. You must be holding it wrong, right. Apple NEVER told you what to do! :-)

[crosswordbob]

RobertoRecine, on 06 April 2012 - 07:06 AM, said:

crosswordbob, on 06 April 2012 - 06:50 AM, said:

RobertoRecine, on 06 April 2012 - 05:59 AM, said:

I'll show you why I pick Android over iOS, it saves me MONEY. There are ton of free services that share pictures, who cares about Instagram. I also have a couple of personal websites I can upload my pictures. After you spend $400 + + + and Apple tells you what to do I guess you need to justify to yourself you made a great purchase. Every time I show an iphone user what I can do for less it impresses them. Much more effective than this article.

Apple has never told me what to do. Also, I have seen many Android devices, but none have greatly impressed me.

I haven't seen an iphone that impresses me either, but my Motorola Atrix ($100 on Amazon 1.5 years ago) and my Transformer Prime 64GB ($595.00 on Amazon) are awesome. Are they perfect? No, but neither is your ipad and iphone. So I choose to save money. The Amazon FREE daily app saves me more, Widgets (Widgets are far superior than Siri - they provide information according to your settings and no talking and no pushing a button required), Live Wallpapers, 4G (1.5 years ago), dual-core processor (1.5 years ago), Flash. These things don't impress you? You deserve to use an iphone, good luck.

Oh there's nothing necessarily wrong with those features, but I find the majority of iOS apps to be of superior quality even when versions exist on both platforms. I also find iOS to be a more intuitive and fluid OS, on which I can spend more time doing and less time micro-managing. Those things are more important to me than the things you list.

FWIW, today's "AppsGoneFree" app lists 9 iOS apps free for a limited time, which is about normal on any given day. Widgets and live wallpaper are nice, but not a deal-breaker for me. 4G doesn't exist here, and Flash is something I've hated since long before the first-gen iPhone was a rumour (I also remember being far from alone in that, right up to the point Apple declared they wouldn't support it, when it suddenly became a big deal again). As for dual-core processor, I care less about the components inside the phone and more on how the phone performs. Considering my single-core iPhone 4 is nearly two years old now, it still feels snappy, responsive, and a pleasure to use; I've tried dual-core devices I wouldn't say the same of.

But hey—if you prefer Android, then more power to you. I don't judge people on the mobile platform they choose.

[RobertoRecine]

crosswordbob, on 06 April 2012 - 07:31 AM, said:

RobertoRecine, on 06 April 2012 - 07:06 AM, said:

crosswordbob, on 06 April 2012 - 06:50 AM, said:

RobertoRecine, on 06 April 2012 - 05:59 AM, said:

I'll show you why I pick Android over iOS, it saves me MONEY. There are ton of free services that share pictures, who cares about Instagram. I also have a couple of personal websites I can upload my pictures. After you spend $400 + + + and Apple tells you what to do I guess you need to justify to yourself you made a great purchase. Every time I show an iphone user what I can do for less it impresses them. Much more effective than this article.

Apple has never told me what to do. Also, I have seen many Android devices, but none have greatly impressed me.

I haven't seen an iphone that impresses me either, but my Motorola Atrix ($100 on Amazon 1.5 years ago) and my Transformer Prime 64GB ($595.00 on Amazon) are awesome. Are they perfect? No, but neither is your ipad and iphone. So I choose to save money. The Amazon FREE daily app saves me more, Widgets (Widgets are far superior than Siri - they provide information according to your settings and no talking and no pushing a button required), Live Wallpapers, 4G (1.5 years ago), dual-core processor (1.5 years ago), Flash. These things don't impress you? You deserve to use an iphone, good luck.

Oh there's nothing necessarily wrong with those features, but I find the majority of iOS apps to be of superior quality even when versions exist on both platforms. I also find iOS to be a more intuitive and fluid OS, on which I can spend more time doing and less time micro-managing. Those things are more important to me than the things you list.

FWIW, today's "AppsGoneFree" app lists 9 iOS apps free for a limited time, which is about normal on any given day. Widgets and live wallpaper are nice, but not a deal-breaker for me. 4G doesn't exist here, and Flash is something I've hated since long before the first-gen iPhone was a rumour (I also remember being far from alone in that, right up to the point Apple declared they wouldn't support it, when it suddenly became a big deal again). As for dual-core processor, I care less about the components inside the phone and more on how the phone performs. Considering my single-core iPhone 4 is nearly two years old now, it still feels snappy, responsive, and a pleasure to use; I've tried dual-core devices I wouldn't say the same of.

But hey—if you prefer Android, then more power to you. I don't judge people on the mobile platform they choose.

You missed the point. It's about saving money, the features are an extra bonus. If somebody paid you to learn something would you do it? Well, Android is giving you that opportunity. When you say that the user experience is easier on iOS you make it sound like it's going to take you 3 years to learn Android. I'm a professional technician, so it took me 5 minutes. I would imagine you could become an Android pro in just a matter of days. Then again if you enjoy reading articles and getting brainwashed that iOS is "easy" then go ahead, I don't judge people by their mobile platform either. You pay, you use iOS and it works for you. I pay less, I use Android and it works for me.

[crosswordbob]

RobertoRecine, on 06 April 2012 - 07:25 AM, said:

The Prime doesn't overheat like the ipad and the battery charges while in use. You must be holding it wrong, right. Apple NEVER told you what to do! :-)

My new iPad doesn't overheat, and the battery charges while in use. Don't believe everything you read.

And no, Apple has never told me what to do.

[Nuke61]

RobertoRecine said:

You missed the point. It's about saving money, the features are an extra bonus.

Too many Android users having "it's about saving money" is a fundamental reason why this article exists... developers having difficulty making money on Android, even though the user base should imply that they should do on par or even better than iOS developers. Up until recently, I spent *more* on Android (my phone) than I did on my iPad apps. Why? Because I prefer quality, and too many "free" Android apps were ad supported, which is a quality issue for me.

I think this "I want it for nothing" attitude is a direct contributor to the relative paucity of quality Android tablet apps. If a developer is having a hard time making money in the gigantic phone market, what's the incentive to produce a quality tablet app?

[crosswordbob]

RobertoRecine, on 06 April 2012 - 09:42 AM, said:

You missed the point. It's about saving money, the features are an extra bonus.

No, the point is that for what I want out of my devices, iOS is a better fit, even if it costs a little more. Sufficiently so that I'm willing to pay. If it's all about saving money I could've bought a potato peeler: it's cheaper and peels potatoes, unlike your Android.

RobertoRecine said:

If somebody paid you to learn something would you do it? Well, Android is giving you that opportunity. When you say that the user experience is easier on iOS you make it sound like it's going to take you 3 years to learn Android. I'm a professional technician, so it took me 5 minutes. I would imagine you could become an Android pro in just a matter of days.

I never said "easier". I said more intuitive. I program Linux for a living; learning how to use Android isn't a problem. But I'd still find iOS more fluid and intuitive.

RobertoRecine said:

Then again if you enjoy reading articles and getting brainwashed that iOS is "easy" then go ahead, I don't judge people by their mobile platform either. You pay, you use iOS and it works for you. I pay less, I use Android and it works for me.

Actually, when you go saying silly things like "After you spend $400 + + + and Apple tells you what to do I guess you need to justify to yourself you made a great purchase," you kinda are judging people. What's worse, your posts demonstrate that you don't even know much about the devices you're talking about, yet you mouth off about me "reading articles and getting brainwashed" while lapping up overblown nonsense about "overheating" and "not charging" because you read it somewhere.

[crosswordbob]

RobertoRecine, on 06 April 2012 - 07:25 AM, said:

Almost forgot to mention my Prime is thinner, lighter, faster than the New ipad. Games is an even battle and movies are better on the Prime due to the 10.1" display.

Define "faster". And personally, I'd rather watch 1080p on a letter-boxed 4:3 9.7" screen than 720p on a 16:9 10.1". It's smaller, but if I hold it closer that difference disappears, while you can't insert more lines anyhow.

RobertoRecine said:

Reading text on the ipad must be amazing, but who cares.

Me. I care quite a lot, since I spend an awful lot of my time reading from it.