Reasons why developers make apps for Android rather than iOS
By: Ayo Oladele
Tags: Mobile App Development, Java, Software Development, Kotlin, Android

Android vs iOS

What is the most popular operating system for mobile platforms? From small startups to big enterprises in Information technology. This is the paramount question and the litmus test that decides what mobile platform is to be developed first.

Why not all at the same time you may ask? If you run a big development team skilled with all set, possess all the resources and tools for mobile development, then you can kick off all the platforms at once. However, it is very important to have a detailed risk analysis and a robust budget.

Why Andriod is Worthy

We are taking a look at the technical and commercial advantages of Andriod over iOS. These are the rays of light to the path, the main reasons why an Andriod app will be a great choice to come first in the development process.

Importance of Andriod

The Market share

This is no doubt a pointer, even If you ignore all the other reasons mentioned later, numbers don’t Lie! Statistics from the IDC shows clearly that Android is leading the number of smartphones shipped worldwide with an 86.1% market share.

“ In 2018, around 1.56 billion smartphones were sold worldwide. In the first quarter of 2019, around 88 percent of all smartphones sold to end users were phones with the Android operating system. Android operating system.” source www.statista.com/

Portability

Java as the primary programming language for Native Android apps provides a special advantage. The codes are accessible to other mobile operating systems easily via porting. Besides, Android apps have a range that reaches to Chrome OS and Windows devices.

Android Studio

The Android Studio has the beauty and strength of a very potent IDE that is based on IntelliJ IDE. Android Studio as an IDE was designed and customized for Android app development. Speed and efficiency are key with Andriod studio. It allows the setup of a new Android project for different types of Android apps in a few seconds. This, of course, was a relief from the old era when Android app development was made with Eclipse and the Android Developer Tools plugin. Android studio is powered with the following features :

Systems built on Gradle-base

Real-time app layout rendering with Live-layout

The option of multiple screen configurations and layout preview while editing

Variants and multiple Apk file generation can be built.

Lint tools for enabling version compatibility, usability, performance, etc

Allows the development of Android Wear and gears, TV and Auto apps

Compatible integration with Google Cloud Platform, App Engine, and Google Cloud Messaging

Coding in Java

Java has proven itself to be a chosen programming language for the coding of various devices and operating systems including Android. Java codes hold the keys to other operating systems including Windows, and Linux.

Unlike iOS, Apple’s coding languages Objective C and Swift are really only used for developing Apple-type products iOS and OS X, and can not be easily ported to other operating systems. Except for Swift that is open-sourced with Linux tools.

Quick to App Store

There is a delay for weeks before Apps deployed to Apple’s App Store can be available for download by users, but for Google Play store it’s in just a few hours and you can download.

Google play store allows easy updates, you can run updates multiple times a day depending on the urgency. On the other side of the Apple App Stores, it is the same lengthy protocol as a fresh deployment even if it is just fixing a bug.

Play Store Monitor

If you plan your app release well, you can control by specifics the percentage of users that can get updates, this will allow you to track feedback and crash reports. You can then increase the percentage of users to receive further updates.

This is possible because the Play Store allows the release of an app in both alpha and beta releases, and can be made to be available to an exclusive group of testers.

The advantage here is that the initial access to a subset of users, and feedbacks received can be used to finetune the app before the final release. It also allows a staged and gradual update rollout.

Cost of Android phones

iPhone is most times seen as high class and expensive, fewer people use it if compared to Android on the bases of cost. The notion that iPhone uses can afford more makes Andriod apps cheaper. Although in the past this might be true, however in the present day, Android apps have been surpassing iPhone apps in some categories both in the initial app and for in-app purchases. This has been proven by increasing profit from in-app adverts which are cheaper on Andriod and mobile app games.

Your Road to Andriod

As a product owner, if you are still confused about the platform to develop first, be it for your business automation or for the use of the general public. It is smart moves backed by economics and best to go for Andriod since it has a larger reach.

Are you a new business startup, established business owner, or a product manager? Do you want to create, tweak, or manage an app? iTwis is willing to see you through this process. Our well-skilled and experienced mobile development team can successfully facilitate your app production process from scratch and bring it to a significant product release. Contact us today for a consultation.