The Migration Of iPhone Developers To The Android Platform Is Beginning
Now that the Android platform has moved beyond T-Mobile in the U.S., it has started to win the confidence of developers and publishers, who were once primarily building applications for the iPhone.
So far, the evidence is only anecdotal, but the path seems logical as more U.S. carriers endorse the platform. The only one yet to announce an Android device is AT&T (NYSE: T), which has the iPhone exclusive. Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ), which is the most recent supporter, has already launched two devices and a $100 million marketing blitz with Motorola.
The interest in Android has visibly picked up only recently. Yesterday, CBS (NYSE: CBS) Mobile launched two Android applications, including TV.com and CBS Sports Mobile Football, and today Kyte is announcing that its mobile video application will be available on Android in early 2010. For further validation, DeviceAnywhere, which works closely with developers, said it has launched services for Android, which will allow developers to test their apps online before launch.
In a release, CBS Mobile General Manager Sam Parker, said: “With millions of Android handsets expected to ship in 2010 from a wide range of manufacturers, CBS Mobile is excited to take apps that have proven to be widely popular to users on other platforms and extend them to Android customers. Android provides a great platform to deliver dynamic mobile apps to an even wider audience.”
But so far, the gap between Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) and Google is not even close. While Apple said it has hit 100,000 apps in the iPhone App store, the most recent figures available on Android pegs listings at only 12,000. In addition, applications on the Android platform up until now haven’t exactly been brand name. In general, while mobile is commended for being equally accessible by large companies and hobbyists, Android so far has more of the later. In a report distributed yesterday by Distimo, a mobile analytics company based in The Netherlands, detailed the top paid and free apps on both the iPhone and Android. While the iPhone included apps from such companies as Adobe (NSDQ: ADBE), Starbucks, CNN and PopCap and various startups, the Android platform seemed a bit more homegrown. Many of the apps were made by individuals and others were developed by companies vested in the platform, such as T-Mobile and Google (NSDQ: GOOG).
If developers are indeed increasing their emphasis on Android, now is the time for both Google and the supporting carriers to make the platform as successful as they can for not only themselves, but developers, too.
Not really, as a developer, myself, I think the real migration is occurring toward Blackberry and yet again towards Windows Mobile.
Don't think so either. Migration suggests 'one OR the other' which is a poor argument. I don't think app developers are or should be looking at it that way as opposed to an AND.
Specially since their revenue potential with Android will not catch up with that of Apple for at least 24 months.
MR
It is one or the other because few people develop multiple simultaneously themselves, and they already have the iPhone version. Now they are doing the Android version. They may have already done several different blackberry ones, and may do several more, for a single app.
@vzw_test – Good one… that was pretty funny. While the Blackberry is an established and respect platform, that's not where the growth is right now. As for Windows Mobile, you have to be joking. Microsoft's "partners" are dumping them in favor of Android big time. Palm dumped them, Motorola dumped them, HTC cut back dramatically and today, even Samsung announced they are moving away from Windows mobile.
@mocorocker – I agree. Adding support for Android is a bit different from migrating to Android. While Android is poised for growth, the iPhone is where the action is right now. The iPhone has the most apps and the highest quality apps right now. It's also where the money is being made in mobile development. Android faces a fragmented market with various different types of phones and screen sizes and a weaker set of development tools.
Uh, why? Especially when each of the developers has to vie for some of the mere 256MB of application space on the Android.
Steve the Android development tools are much stronger in many ways. Eclipse beats the hell out of xcode.
It'd be nice to have a WYSIWYG GUI XML editor though.
@SteveS – Nice to hear from Android's team. BlackBerry is 12.6% of smartphone market and Android is about 0.6%. A typical platform/device penetration in the market takes about 12 – 18 months.
I hope Android knows how to do the Math.
Plz wake me when we come to 2011.
I hope apple will still have more applications coming up from the developers..
Anz with <a href="http://forhomewaterpurifier.blogspot.com">for home water purifier</a>
@Matt Kanninen .- Of course few (if any) people develop simultaneously (can't imagine how would that work). But my point is that you have a successful iPhone app, whether or not you should port it to Android too should be a non-issue. And this of course does not mean you are 'migrating' your business to Android. Now, if you are developing exclusively for 'one or the other' (which IMHO would be a stupid thing to do) you obviously will go with the one that offers the higher revenue opportunity, in this case, Apple. Availability of development tools helps and makes life easier but is not the key factor … unless you are just into building cool apps per se vs making money.
MR
MR good points I'd say we mostly agree. Money is the primary motivator for most developers. However a great many developers and publishers come up with a product first and choose a platform second. There are multiple whole categories of smartphone application you can't develop for or publish on the iPhone.