Developers migrate from iPhone to Android in droves | Hacker News Reader

Developers migrate from iPhone to Android in droves

techeye.net

17 pointsdannyr21 comments

60 percent of the developers asked had been or are working on Android projects, with the iPhone and Jave ME following behind with roughly 50 percent each.

Exactly how does the linkbait headline follow from any of the data on the page? Even if we assume that this difference is both statistically significant and not an artifact?

Even "Android developers and apps are growing in numbers", while apparently true according to other sources, isn't shown by this data. These data are from a single point in time.

Do you have any doubt that a year ago the numbers for Android were much less?

No. And that's not what the headline says.

Both Android and iPhone can gain developers at the same time. Or, developers can work on both Android and iPhone and count twice. That's obviously happening, since the number for Android is "60%" and the number for iPhone is "50%". Obviously those are not mutually exclusive groups.

The question is will any of those developers make any money with the current state of Android's Market. On a related note, I just don't see that many people using Android phones but I see iPhone's all over the place.

Is that because not many people are using Android phones around you, or because they're using garden variety handsets with Android and you just don't notice them because a) they don't have that distinctive iPhone style, or b) people don't feel the need to flash their Android phones around like they do with iPhones?

I'm not trying to be snarky about it, but I've noticed multiple times in public that peolpe have Android phones just because I recognize one of their distinctive ringtones or notification sounds. I've also noticed that 9/10 people who keep their phone out and visible are basically wearing their iPhone as a fashion item rather than a functional device.

> I've also noticed that 9/10 people who keep their phone out and visible are basically wearing their iPhone as a fashion item rather than a functional device.

I really don't understand this perception of the iPhone as a fashion device or a status symbol. Everyone has one, there isn't much status to that, and it works really well which might be why people have it out and ready to use. At least thats why at a bar or casual restaurant I'll have mine out 8 times out of 10.

Everyone has one, there isn't much status to that

I don't think scarcity is a prerequisite to fashion. See those big sun glasses. Many people had them but I would consider that a "fashion statement".

I do agree with having the phone out. I feel a bit pretentious when I have my phone out on a table/bar, but with the ability to check email/text/wiki/web and the fragility of the devices there is little reason not to.

Good point on the fashion bit.

> I feel a bit pretentious when I have my phone out on a table/bar, (...)

But why? People have been pecking away at their blackberries for years, who gives a damn if you have a modern smartphone on the table?

> Everyone has one

How does a flat-out falsehood like that get to 9 points? Most people have dumb phones or feature phones. In the smartphone crowd, most people have Blackberries. Not even close to everyone has an iPhone.

The fact is, a smartphone of any stripe is a status symbol. The thing about most Android phones is they blend in and tend to look just like feature-phones.

> How does a flat-out falsehood like that get to 9 points?

Well, my comment was more than three words, and those three words you picked were not meant to be taken completely literally.

> The fact is, a smartphone of any stripe is a status symbol.

I don't think most people feel that way.

> The thing about most Android phones is they blend in and tend to look just like feature-phones.

With the exception of the Droid, the Android phones I keep reading about tend to look like iPhones.

* I've also noticed that 9/10 people who keep their phone out and visible are basically wearing their iPhone as a fashion item rather than a functional device.*

I'd love to know how you're determining this. Does Swarovski offer a brooch-mount case or something?

I think without the statements about the iPhone as a fashion item, your comment is insightful.

Agreed but it was probably the 9/10 part, as that makes it a personal dig at many here. The reality is that it is a fashion item for many people. I think if you're in the tech community you may think everybody has one but they don't and many that do have it to show off. Even if everyone around you does have one, that doesn't mean it can't be a fashion item; no different than "keeping up with the Jones'".

Maybe you don't see them because the Android's battery is dead, so the phone is still in their pocket.

While this is a bit tongue-in-cheek comment, it is true that one of the main problems I had with my Android phone (it was a G1, the first Android phone) was the appallingly short battery life. Even when it was brand new it wasn't uncommon at all to have its battery depleted by midday. After only a year and a half, its battery became completely useless, it dies seconds after disconnecting from the charger.

In contrast, I only have to put my iPhone 4 on the charger every second day at the moment.

counter anecdote, My ~2 week old htc hero hasn't been charged in 34 hours and has 60% battery left. This is with wifi on and mild data-heavy app usage.

I completely disagree with the assertion that the supposed 90% of iPhone users who keep their phone out and visible are doing so for fashion cred rather than for more functional reasons.

Other, much-more-likely reasons:

1. The iPhone isn't some tiny device that fits comfortably in a pocket -- particularly when seated. When I'm at a restaurant and wearing jeans, you can bet your ass I'm going to take my iPhone out of my pocket and put it on the table. Why would I leave it in my pocket? So I can struggle to fish it out when it rings?

2. Since the iPhone does more than just make/receive calls, it's often handy to have the phone out for email, text messenging, web searches, and other functions. (While none of those are particularly socially-acceptible behaviors, they are probably forgivable when the other member(s) of your party take a bathroom break.)

3. Crikey -- do you really need a third reason? ;)

Of course, this would likely apply to all smartphones that have similar form factors and data communication abilities -- including Android-powered phones. Since I find it hard to believe that owners of Android-powered phones are somehow unaffected by the above factors, I left with no other reason for your contention other than a distorted lens.

Interestingly I was away on vacation with some friends of friends this weekend and of the 11 of us, 5 had android based phones and no one had an iphone. Demographic was, a mix of males and females, mid 20's, where me being the only one with a technical background.

I was blown away.

I see and know many using Android phones. Yet I dont see them buying apps. Im in the states.

I want to see data that shows how many developers are making a living off of Android apps vs. iPhone app developers.

It might be too early but I feel Android and iPhone users hold different sentiments towards buying apps. The latter group being more accustomed to buying then the other. This is based off my experience with the handfuls of people I know who have Android phones (very against buying stupid apps as they say or what's Google Checkout).

I can't develop for the Android since my company isn't registered in one of the few[1] countries Google supports. But we have do a developer account for iPhone as Apple does support a whole lot more countries.

Also, the general request isn't as much for Android apps. If anything, after the iPad and iPhone 4 I'm looking at an increase in iOS project proposals.

So maybe developers are migrating but I'm not seeing this in the apps the clients do nor in the phones people use (iPhones are everywhere). If anything, Android might be right now a 2nd platform after iOS: some customers do to want Android ports which could mean the iOS developers might learn some Android SDK to be able to do the port, but nobody is migrating away from iOS.

1. http://market.android.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&an...

But do any of them have any UI design skills?

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