subject: Android & Apple: The Fray Of Os Still Continues [print this page] Even though with the rise of iOS, Androids sales are also dominating, but nowadays Androids app developers are not doing well which brings it to the verge of decline. This article deals with the factors that affect Android application development as iOS strengthens.
Androids decline is due to following reasons:
Android Powered Handset Makers Having a Little Tough Time
During last year, it was noticed that Android application development helped to boost up the hardware makers who embraced the platform early. The strategy of Android helped Motorola to trim losses while HTC was on a rise. Today Google is trying to snap up Motorola Mobility even as it has fallen.
Mobile Revenues and Profits Grabbed by Apple
In addition to the smartphone sales market share, its the money that makes a business grows. As Apple has been the top handset maker in terms of operating profits, it is sucking most of the revenue out of the mobile market. Apple owns 39 per cent of the market revenue and 75 per cent of the market profit share. With the decline in product sales and due to lesser earning; Android competitors are beginning to fade away.
Top 3 Smartphones are iPhones
According to an NPD report, of the top five smartphones sold in the U.S. in 2011, the top three are all iPhones. This is a problem for Android app developers or Android handset makers, because consumers are ready to buy used iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS that are cheaper than newer Android handsets. Though there are a variety of low-cost Android models, consumers do not think they compete well on the experience. If they did, they would bypass Apple's older phones.
First-time Buyers select Android
NPD noted that first-time Smartphone buyers favor Android over iOS. Its mainly due to price, but these people will be second-time smartphone buyers in the future and may be willing to spend more for an iPhone unless Android gives them a reason to stick to the platform.
Presence of Apps Hitting Android Before iOS
There are still few apps hitting Android before iOS. Every software shop cannot support every operating system, so most developers aim their apps at the largest audience possible. Very few developers bypass iOS even with Android sales growing fast over the past two years. They are simply making more money with iOS, so that is where the top-tier apps start out which in turn helps boost handset sales. Even for apps on both platforms, it often takes time for the Android version to see equality with its iOS counterpart.
Lack of Killer App for Android
Android offered the best support for Gmail service for a long time, but over time Google has brought the iOS to equivalence. But still the best Gmail experience is on an Android application development for phone and the exclusive Google Navigation runs greatly on Android, but still it is not a killer application.
Smartphone Lock-in
A smartphone lock-in contest is going on to keep people on Android. Moving to another platform could cost more to replace apps. As most of the heavily downloaded apps are free, there is less of a lock-in to keep people on Android. . Not all but most of the top Android apps are free compared those in the iTunes App store. Without this barrier its easier to switch from Android to iOS.
Conclusion
These points dont indicate that one platform is good or bad compared to other. Always its best to use the finest mobile device. Though there are many reasons for the upward growth of Android, Apples iOS platform forces its handset makers to scramble resulting in its decline.
SynapseIndia is a Windows phone 7 application development company offering Windows Phone 7 apps development and Windows Phone 7 game development services to global clients
