Android Losing Developer Share to iOS

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://9to5mac.com/2011/07/14/flurry-android-has-lost-developer-support-to-ios-due-to-ipad-2-and-verizon-iphone/' target='_blank'>http://9to5mac.com/2011/07/14/flurr...verizon-iphone/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"The second-generation Apple tablet and the arrival of a CDMA version of iPhone 4 on the Verizon Wireless network together worked like magic to re-new interest in the iOS platform."</em></p><p><img height="410" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1310701852.usr105634.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>So even though there are reports of unhappy developers, iOS continues to be the platform that developers are using. Android lost about 8% in developer support from Q1 to Q2, dropping from 36% to 28% according to the survey. Interesting that we are seeing these developments after the Verizon iPhone arrival, so perhaps the huge numbers that Android was able to achieve prior were just because no one wanted to go to AT&amp;T and would rather go Android. Now that they have a choice, they appear to be moving to iOS, at least the developers are seeming to move that way. What are your thoughts?</p>

[Sven Johannsen]

I have to wonder if it isn't due to the nature of the Android OS, it's 'free'. I grant not as many phone users are open source (read free) advocates as there are in the PC market, but I would guess there is some consideration of 'why should the applications cost me money, the OS is free' lifestyle. Most of the Ubuntu users I know wouldn't think of paying for applications. Surprisingly many will purchase a device with Windows on it and load Ubuntu...because it's free.

That said, I would guess developers make more off of iOS versions than they do off of Android, and certainlky WP7 versions, partly because of volume of platform, and maybe some because of user buying habits. You go where the money is. Interestingly I have read some blog entries by developers that indicate they are making more money off of their ad supported versions than off of their one time pay versions on WP7. Sort of makes sense, it's like royalties, the gift that keeps giving. Personnaly I'd rather pay for an app then get the free ad supported version, but the ones that have ads aren't terribly intrusive.

Does Android have an ad supported concept? How is that working out for developers?