neelmehta

I've been using android every since the Incredible came out and I really like the phone.....I'm just getting frustrasted with these big companies who think the iPhone is the ONLY phone out there...wth?

Seems like every new app they come out with is only for the iPhone- Chase app where u can deposit your check using the camera, Los Angeles Times, my favorite snowboarding resort, clothing companies, some radio stations, resturants....just to name a few. Also, the facebook app for android is still sucks compared to the one on the iPhone.

I just don't understand why android is still so neglected by these companies that are making apps....or maybe i'm just becoming too impatient waiting and waiting for these new apps to come out for my phone.

Akg2016

I have a feeling things will change soon. Frustration with Apple, will probably cause a larger run at the Android platform

Just have hope.

I know I do

stainlessray

ESPN was supposed to be exclusive to iphone, but there's a espn radio app for android now. it's taking some time, but they're coming around.

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pwabbit

Android is such a young OS. Give it a little time, it will catch fire with the developers. It already has Steve Jobs scared.

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neelmehta

arrrhhh.......now the California DMV has an app-- only for the iPhone tho!

yeah...i know....i gotta give it some more time

yadda yadda

Being quite new to Android, I was surprised by the lack of decent quality apps compared to the iPhone. There are a lot of weak apps, though some really good quality ones - it's just so tough to find them easily on the official Marketplace, and only slightly easier on appBrain (they really need to add sorting to results lists - sort by rating anyway?!!!).

Is the code used for iPhone and Android apps so different that there isn't an easy "conversion" possible? Otherwise I also predict that companies will be requesting app versions for BOTH platforms very soon - hell, the developers should be doing this as a freebee, or perhaps a slight bump to the standard development cost for an app!

lilsaphyre

They think Iphone is the only phone because that's their target audience. Dumb.

Tre Lawrence

Supply and demand.

If I were a developer, and I had one platform to pick (and one opportunity to reach the widest audience), I'd pick iOS every time. That is the truth of today's market. But it's changing.

If you think this is tough, try migrating to RIM... you'll really find a shortage then, and when you do find a port, it is can be 500% more than the iPhone app.

Plus, remember, not every "app" is a true application. If I could get a dime for every so called "app" that is just a shortcut to a mobile site, I'd be rich enough buy enough screens to alleviate the EVO crisis all by myself.

lunatic59

It shouldn't be, however, all (as in NO EXCEPTIONS) iPhone apps must be created using iPhone OS 4 SDK. In order to get that, you must agree to the developer agreement which requires that you NOT cross compile apps for other platforms among many other Draconian restrictions.

Apple's walled garden is surrounded with razor wire, land mines and a moat ... and it smells of fertilizer.

Rob_A

I was actually surprised about the large number of apps the android has. I try not to compare Apple apps to Android apps because that can get annoying sometimes.

I think Android, on it's own, has ALOT of apps to offer for just about anything.


IMO, Apps that are just shortcuts to a mobile site DO NOT COUNT. (iPhone has alot of those)

jweber

I know that the G1 has been out awhile, but Android really didn't start to take off until the release of the original Moto Droid which was 8 months ago. If you remember Apple had no market for apps for its first year so I would have to think we are actually ahead of schedule in terms of app development.
I think when numbers come out at the end of the year showing many millions of Android based handsets in the hands of mobile users we we see a huge jump in the numbers of major companies making sure they are on the Android platform as well.

chrlswltrs

I really don't have any complaints with the apps available. I have pretty much everything I want, with the exception of 1 app that a developer is currently working on. Plus we have all the great apps that iOS doesn't like launchers, ringdroid, shuffletone, handcent, etc.

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K-Rizzle

I think android has an amazing number of apps. I switched to palm for a bit, and they have a lot less, especially ones that are free. Blackberry has barely any free ones, as I've used my friends' blackberry storm 2 a bunch.

I've never really had experience with the iPhone though, so I can't compare.

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Tre Lawrence

Yep, BB was a developer's nightmare. I am a huge BB fan, but I would never develop on that platform unless I was a philanthropist with plenty of free time.

In truth, iPhone has plenty, though a lot of them are fluff, IMHO. When you consider what the most downloaded iPhone apps are, you'd see see why I say that.

meyerweb

email the companies you want apps from, and ask. If they get enough requests, they'll be more likely to act on them.

ari-free

Android has tens of thousands of apps, much more than BB, Symbian, WebOS, PalmOS and WinMo. That geico glovebox app that you always see on tv? It's now on android.

ari-free

So you'd miss out on Verizon and Sprint's customers and coverage? AT&T's network can't even cover most of the US.

solo170

what sort of apps in particular is the op looking. maybe we can help u spot a few gems if u tell us wat ur looking for

MJM128

There's probably a lot that factors into why there's such a difference in the app markets, one of which is probably the android market isn't really all that great right now. You have problems with other countries, only paying by credit card through google checkout, poor sorting options for apps, its just overall hard to navigate to find the apps.

stainlessray

excellent point...hadn't thought of that. they call a bookmark an app. laughable...

i'm sure "developers" worked really hard on the boring square icon, and getting those corners rounded to iphone spec's

takeshi

Well, stop griping here and gripe directly to those that write the apps. My bank (USAA) offers an Android app that allows for the deposit of checks. If yours doesn't, then let them know that they need to if that's what you want.

Neither here nor there. Re-read what you quoted. It's all about the app markets.

Last edited by takeshi; July 26th, 2010 at 07:49 AM.

ari-free

But we're talking about a bank app or apps for other companies and services. A bank that only has an app for iphone is forgetting about all their other customers. If we're talking about a game, I understand that ios is the biggest market with all the ipod touches out there.

Szadzik

Are we talking about numbers here just for the sake of saying the numbers or about things we need?

So far I have found every single app I needed and coming from many years of using WinMo I had a lot of apps I needed.

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Tre Lawrence

Exactly.

I am a big app person myself, and I have found everything I need as well, and that, IMHO, is what it's all about. If not, I'd be an Apple user.

neelmehta

I do think that Android has a lot of good apps already and Apple has many useless ones.....

but I guess my frustration was with these big companies that are only making apps for iPhone.. Everyday day I hear or see something new in a commercial saying "download our new iPhone app.." Among some I can think of only for iPhone:

Chase bank- using your iphone to take a pic of your check to deposit (I could really use this one!)

Our city and local newspaper- would be nice to have this one so I can quickly scan the headlines

Mountain High Resort- nice to have the trailmap on your phone

Fuel TV (owned by Fox)- I like catching some of those sports video clips they put on there

Many big name resturants like California Pizza Kitchen, etc.. have iPhone apps where u can just place the order from your phone- useful when I order lunch from work

California DMV- to pay my fees

Facebook- like I said in the first post, way better on my iPod touch, allows me to do so much more than the one here.
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I don't care for the 1000s of useless apps...but I just think big name companies should stop ignoring us!! Just waiting I guess.....

Oh yea...and once more and more of these apps start coming out, it will help Android grow in popularity as well. More users=More apps as well as more apps=more users

Last edited by neelmehta; July 26th, 2010 at 08:17 PM.

shawn1224

Another reason which is probably critical is the ability to install 3rd party software. With ios the guarantees are higher that you'll see your money as a developer but probably not as much with android.

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lekky

You know there are like 100,000 apps available for android right?

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Tre Lawrence

Dude... you have to search. Fuel TV has an Android app, and they actually proclaim -- on their own blog -- that it is better than the Android app.

You listed the California DMV. You cannot pay fees on the iPhone app. On the website, they say it has four purposes:

• Prepare to take the written driver's license exam by taking sample tests
• Watch DMV driving videos
• Find a DMV field office near you
• Get Important California DMV Alert instantly

This all you can do with the app. I guess if you need to watch those riveting driving vids, it's a must-have.

California Pizza has a FULLY functional mobile portal that allows for ordering in a couple clicks. Now, as I have admitted, I am an app guy. However, my time on BB has taught me that it is sometimes useless having an "app" when a simple browser shortcut will do.

That is just the three apps you're feenin' for. Again, it's all about utility. I honestly believe that a lack of apps is not a weakness of the Android OS.


I read an article saying exactly that.

thomasanderson

I think people are missing the OP's point. I understand exactly what is being stated and I feel the exact same way(especially about the Chase app). This app is the sole reason I am reluctantly debating upgrading my 3g iphone to an iphone 4( camera on 3g doesnt auto focus making a lot of my checks get rejected when submitted). I even emailed Chase about this issue and was told that they are working on a release for other mobile platforms, but they couldnt give specifics or a release date.

It really is dropping the ball on the big companies parts, because BOA and USAA bank have an identical app for both platforms(and the USAA app has the same check deposit feature). So there isnt some legal jargain about cross platform(as stated in an earlier post) preventing them from developing apps. Its just like many have said, and the iphone is a ubiquitous name right now, so thats all they care to develop for. When a few of the in house employees cross over to Android, maybe then someone will bother to get the ball rolling.

yadda yadda

Why only about 6000 on the marketplace then? Or were you being facetious?

Szadzik

6000? Yu asure about the number?

neelmehta

Fuel is new since I checked a while back....thanks, I found that one!

mjj_da_great

I don't think theres a lack of quality apps for android as far as the important ones, and in some categories android actually beat the iphone. Like social networking apps for android does far more than those of the iphone. With that being said the one area that apple is clearly wining is the the games category. This is a huge bummer for me and a lot people that like to play games on their phone. This is why i am developing a game the iphone platform right now because thats where the audiance is and the iphone 4 is just a better device for gaming compare to any android device. I ll give android by the end of 2011 to be the majority then and only then you will see a bunch of developers porting their apps and their games....

P.S. i am a proud owner of a HTC EVO....

yadda yadda

What makes iPhone a better gaming platform? I've found the Desire very intuitive for playing games...

lekky

No.. I was being truthful... Where on earth did you get information saying there are only 6 thousand android apps?

ArainLA

I too am a bit dissapointed in Android app availablity and quality.
It would be one of the reasons I'd go back to iphone.
But I knew that coming in and will evaluate what to do as I see how much of a shorcoming this is.

Tre Lawrence

What apps do you need that are available for iPhone? I concede some games...

DolphinDroid

When I got my Droid in November I made a list of the apps I wanted to get that I had on my iPod Touch. The only ones missing are the official Yahoo and ESPN fantasy sports apps (which Yahoo is taking care of for football this season / ESPN may follow suit, but is not as important as their mobile fantasy site is easy to navigate).

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Ally305

I was fustrated too and now I just go to www.mobilerumor.blogspot.com and download any app/game I want. PAID OR FREE.

Enjoy.

faber78

i get frustrated when my wife doesnt put out; its more like bored with lack of apps.