Android vs. iOS: Who Will Reign Supreme?

The battle continues over which is the superior platform – Android or iOS. Everyone from users to marketers have weighed in with their future predictions, past musings and current praises and complaints. From a developer’s perspective, things remain uncertain and, at times, contradictory. Here’s the low down based on the latest research.

A couple of months back, the general opinion was that app developers were turning their attention to Android over iOS, because of its rapidly increasing market share. A survey from Appcelerator indicated that the momentum was shifting in favour of Android, closing the gap on current app development that traditionally favoured iOS. The idea behind the supposed shift was that the Android platform is considered to have the best long-term outlook.

The latest news, however, turns that theory upside down. It appears that Android continues to take a back seat to iOS, in part because, well, it’s not as mainstream cool (those Mac commercials still make us chuckle). While Android operating system is still the big winner on the charts (46.3% of US smartphone owners running the mobile operating system) according to the Strategy Analytics’ survey, “App Developer Attitudes and Behaviours,” it seems that Apple’s iOS platform remains near and dear to developers’ hearts, with 51% saying they plan to write for the “iTeam” (iPod, iPad and iTouch) platforms in 2012. Yes, Android is fast approaching a majority share in smartphones among US customers, but it now seems that the platform is suffering among its app builders, with interest rising only 30% from 23% in 2011. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.

That being said, it seems that Apple’s status among the people writing app code comes from the multiple device types now using the operating system, with the iPhone down 26%. In fact, the real growth for iOS comes from the iPad, which attracted only 8% of developers last year, but will get 19% in 2012 (+138%). With more than half a million apps now cataloged in the Apple App Store, over 150,000 are compatible with or written specifically for the iPad.

Experts such as Strategy Analytics report author and Director of Apps Research, Josh Martin, expect that money will talk and developers will continue to favour platforms that offer the most diverse ways of generating revenue.

Piper Jaffrey recently estimated that Apple’s App Store substantially outperforms the Android marketplace for developers, with Apple responsible for about 80% to 90% of revenue generated by the app market.

What do you think? Will iOS continue to corner the market in app developers despite Android’s appetite for market share? Or will the interest in the iTeam fizzle out and watch Android steal their fan base?

Mobile phones are using millions of people throughout the world everyday!

They have changed our lives; nobody can deny this. Mobile is no longer just the most convenient tool of communication, or the best invention of 21st century; it is a part of our fibre! And with this trend, who can be happier than the digital marketers right now? Well, probably no one. While digital marketers are joyfully embracing mobile phone’s popularity, they need to take a moment to understand how they need to take full advantage of this space at the current moment and more importantly for the exciting years to come.

Dear Digital Marketer

Your app has to compete with many apps, all screaming for attention in competitive app stores, right? So, how are you going to make sure that your app is going to beat them all? How are you going to make sure your app is going to win people’s heart? Well, If you want to win the battle, here are some basic hints that many tend to overlook while being all excited about the current mobile app boom.

Be the first, OR the best!

If possible, be the pioneer of an app category; if not, then aim to become the best in that app category. Add value to the existing app by adding an extra ordinary spin & come up with not only a better, but THE best app in your category.

Futuristic view
Anticipate future trends, predict potential needs, and create your app based on it.

Don’t be a  stingy scrooge
If possible, invest and spend on a well developed application and a  sound marketing & promotion plan, go big in terms of your launch. Whether this means traditional media or social strategies, put the effort to get the word out.

Be in the loop
Watch out for competitors, evaluate what they’re doing right, what they’re doing wrong, what is it that they are not doing, and what is it that you can do better than them.

Love at the first sight
Your landing screen is so very important. Have a likable landing screen; try your best to attract your audiences at first glance.

One of its kind APP
Your app needs to be exceptional & unique, or you should say goodbye to app marketing for good. Innovate, plan excellently, and build something magnificent.

à la mode
Know the trend, be chic, be hip, be modish if you want your app to be unbeaten.

Take it easy!
While trying to create something unique, don’t forget to make it easy to use. Complications are very quick and easy way to say goodbye to your user for good.

Go for a test drive!
Make sure you’ll have all your friends, family member’s, co-workers, ex’s, neighbors, frienemies, and enemies, try your app before you launch it. Ask for their feedback, find out about the parts that confuse the user and take advantage of  enhancing your app.

Fish for compliment
The more people you get to talk about your app, the more successful you’ll get marketing it. Remember, the more discussions = more exposure = more sales!

Social media is your BFF
Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, these are your marketing department’s team members! Benefit from the ease of sharing info on your app through these mediums.

Continuing education
Constantly read tech news, blogs, attend seminars, tech events, and review other apps to learn what’s happening out there. Keep your knowledge up to date.

In the end, think of anything unique that will make your app stand taller than the competitors. Start strong & launch big.

For more tips on how to make and market a great application, contact us.

Palm Pre has yet to release more information on their verison of the app store and the pricing model behind releasing Palm apps.

However, today they opened up to developers a preview of their Mojo SDK which can be accessed here. If you’ve got some time (approximately an hour) watch this O’Reilly Webcast with Mitch Allen, Palm’s Software CTO, about developing applications with their development kit. Also, they’ve got the first chapter of their webOS available for free. Enjoy.