I am more than happy with the number of applications in the Android Market. However, the number of applications available for using the Web is disappointing. For example, if you want to view Sky TV on the Web it is only available on the iPhone or iPad and there are many other such examples. There is no point in having a state-of-the art phone if it is not properly supported. Sales for Android tablets will continue to lag behind the iPad until this issue is solved
I'm sure that will be "implemented" soon, or Android might even get something much better. I don't think the sales of the Android tablets have anything to do with not having the ability to watched Sky TV.
I just gave Sky TV as an example. Many web sites offer iPhone and iPad applications which are not available to Android. Another example is the lack of Android Web based Applications for stock market trading, but are available for the iPhone and iPad. People are not stupid, they can see that often the only way to do things on the Web is on the iPhone or iPad. I own a Galaxy Note which is more than capable of doing anything on the Web that the iPhone can do. But I cannot do it because the applications are not available. Even if Google produces its own tablet it will not be an iPad "killer" unless it can convince Web sites to produce Android applications.
I also dunno why but it seems a trend. Could it be bigger players tend to face lesser competition in the Apple app store in comparison to Google Android Market, hence focus on Apple app store instead? That is, if your app is in Apple app store, you face lesser competition so your app stand a higher chance of surviving ? US$99 renewal every year can stop some poor third party developers from entering the fray. My own opinion of cuz.
I think it has more to do with Apple's marketing and how the iPhone is highly visible and was adopted by the mainstream. Android has since caught up in the number, but then you have to worry about the fragmentation of hardware and Android OS versions, which seems to scare away developers. Google is working on making it so Android is a more complete system, rather than the scattershot it is now. But it'll take time to reign in all those manufacturers.
The onus is on end-users, or prospective customers, to let developers know that there's a demand. If they get enough enquiries about an Android version in their in-box they'll soon pay attention.
/\ | Especially if that demand implies a loss of business. Think eTrade wouldn't scramble to keep up if Scottrade had the only Android app in their respective field?
If Google would do 2 things I think Apple would be in real trouble: 1. Add ability for wifi calling and video calling to their existing Google Voice service (similar to Sype, GrooveIP, Facetime). Their service works great on a PC, extend same quality to phones/tablets and wow! 2. Add offline Maps/Nav (full state/country maps)
Apple didn't wait for customer demand before releasing the iPhone or iPad. They saw a need and fulfilled it. They have also fulfilled more needs than Android and I hope that ICS will encourage more applications development for Android.
I know one program where it was the coding. The dev had used Palm and CE, he said it was easier to switch to Cydia? Android is catching up. As more people demand and the carriers see another revenue stream, you will get the same. There were barely any decent astronomy programs when I got the SGS4G last year. (Google Sky wasn't sufficient) Now there are quite a few choices, including a guiding app for a go-to scope.
And that's got what to do with the availability of apps, exactly? The issue is nothing to do with Google or Android. It's one of developers ignoring the platform. There's no shortage of devices and the development tools are there, so the only thing preventing a Sky TV app (to use your example) is a lack of interest from Sky themselves.
Let me start this post off by saying: I'm a Windows developer, a client/server web programmer and I have dabbled in Android development as well. So ... I'm not talking out of my arse here. This turned into a bit of a rant by the end, but I think it needs to be said. There are plenty of GREAT cross platform devs out there and I don't want my ranting to be considered a global one. The bottom line is: developers MUST go where the numbers are - eventually. It is the only sustainable model. Right now, Android has 43%, Apple has 28%. Developers are nice and cozy developing for Apple, because they have experience, their own in house engines and a myriad of other things that make devs not want to venture to a new platform. ... and this has worked for them because Apple had the numbers to make it lucrative to continue ignoring Android. IMHO, Devs don't want to develop for Android because: 1) Android actually requires effort to build apps because of the multitude of different hardware and configuration: screen sizes, processors, etc. This is like asking an Xbox 360 developer to go make a PC game. They have to leave the rock wall garden and actually, you know ... CODE for contingency. A lot of developers just AREN'T willing to do it - especially if there are enough customers to sustain income on the other platform. 2) They have already purchased tools, made engines and have experience on iOS. They are "doing ok", and until their bottom line takes a hit because of Android dominance, they simply aren't willing to budge. Changing platforms costs money. 3) Elitism. Yeah, I've been making some rounds and seeing that there is some air of elitism because some of these developers are just "Apple Snobs". Crazy to me - no way to run a business, but hey - whatever. The bottom line? A hit to the wallet will get developers in line. When revenue drops enough because the masses are using Android, they will get their collective sh*t together and move to the dominate platform. That is how it has always been written, that is always how it shall be. Personally? I think most developers secretly believe (or want to believe) that Android is some sort of "phase" that "will pass" and they can avoid coding for it until it "goes away". Wishful thinking - but no. Might as well secretly hope that Windows goes away. They are really dedicated to that thought process too - because Android ownership is almost 2 to 1 over Apple - and yet they still resist. Developers cite piracy, fragmentation and other factors as to why they won't develop for Android. Fact is - there is PLENTY of piracy going on with iOS too. Jailbreaking is all about piracy. Do some google searches and see just how rampant piracy is on the iOS platform too. I don't buy that. At least "rooters" on Android are usually doing it to block ads and run custom roms. Is there piracy going on? Of course. What's funny is - most Android carrying friends and business associates of mine have PURCHASED and use far more apps than the iOS people I know. I personally own hundreds of paid apps - and I have the tools and knowledge to pirate if I want to. But I support the platform when the quality of the app is good. Fact is - GOOD product makes money on Android. There are plenty of success stories out there to back that. Stop giving Android owners "sloppy seconds" with horrible buggy ass ports that run in a postage stamp window on our tablets, maybe we'll start ponying up the dough. Tip of the Day: Crappy software doesn't sell on Windows either. Fragmentation is made up bullsh*t - sorry, no better way to put it. I don't hear Windows developers screaming and crying about "PC fragmentation" - and there are about a million more different configurations, options, resolutions and more on a PC than on the ENTIRE Android market. What about automotive fragmentation? I don't see any mechanics that only work on one or two different cars made by Ford. Wonder why THAT is? I've never been turned away from Jiffy Lube because I own a Toyota instead of a Mercedes. What about that horrible television fragmentation .. SO MANY SIZES! SO MANY OPTIONS AND FEATURES! See, the term fragmentation sounds completely ridiculous when you apply it to anything else. Building apps directed to two closed architectures doesn't make the opposing format horrible. It just means the days of being lackadaisical are over. Simple truth is - devs enjoy developing for a closed system because it requires less work, less testing and less support. Who WOULDN'T want that?? But the times, they are a changin' ... Of course, as we Android lovers know, the consumer deserves choice. I know it's hard to believe but cells phones are NOT a "one size fits all" scenario. My mother doesn't need a dual core 4.65" screen phone ... and I would lose my mind without one. Choice has always been good for the consumer - and Apple has essentially denied the market that. Android is important. It is growing by leaps and bounds and eventually, successful app developers WILL MOVE or at least support. Web apps are a different story. That's just pure utter laziness. There are standards to follow - and failure to do so means your WebcrApp works on one platform that you specifically build for, but not another one. Code to standards and this isn't an issue. But of course, it is far easier to do sloppy coding, bounce it against ONE machine and call it gold than to actually - you know - comply with established standards. No excuse for that kind of coding. My guess is - a good spoofed web browser would handle "iPad only" web apps.
Apple did not see a need, they made one. There were already several tablets on the market that can do more than what the iPad can do before it came out, but Apple came up with a marketing strategy that made people feel left out if they did not have it. They generated interest for their product out of nothing, and it generated buyers which in turn generated the app developers.
Yeah, in the old days? That would have been called "Snake Oilsmanship". Now? Apple is treated like a hero. Disgusts me, personally.
Thanks for your interesting and comprehensive reply. I hope you are right that I will soon be able to get applications that I want which are presently only available on the iPad and iPhone. However, I have been waiting 2 years for an Android stockmarket trading application from my spread betting company and whilst I have been waiting they have produced iPhone and iPad apps and keep saying one is due soon. I would go elsewhere, but no other spread betting company produces an Android trading application. I had a similar experience with Sky TV which only works on the iPhone and iPad and again promise something for Android in a year from now. I sometimes wonder if when a company uses an iPhone or iPad app they agree not to offer an Android alternative? I will stick with Android and my Galaxy Note for it is an incredible mobile tablet phone and I will use my Windows laptop where I cannot get an Android app.
Surely 1) is available in the Google Talk app, and 2) available as the 'pre-cache map area' in the Labs setting of Google Maps...
There is another "issue" about Android - largely false of course - but is accepted as gospel. That somehow Android is "frighteningly insecure". This mentality is harming Android in the "business" and "professional" market. My guess? THAT is what is keeping your stock trading app from seeing fruition. Most arguments about Android insecurity are based on considerably older versions of Android. One good thing; with the Android explosion going on, someone might come along and dupe that company and release something as good or better while they are dinking around.
