Member Article

Right ways to choose the best mobile platform for your app

The technology is achieving new heights every day and the expectations are really huge from the booming mobile market. Both Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS is taking steps to gain dominance. However, Google succeed to rein offering myriad of flexibilities for both the developers and the users. It runs towards 1 billion Android device activation till the second quarter of 2014. However, in the US marketplace, the scenario is same for both the mobile giants. Still there is no doubt that Android is successfully ahead of iOS to the 1 million apps mark with the Android app developers making the most out of it. Also, a number of smartphone players have the Android license and this way it becomes tough for Apple to compete with the rest.

Glancing at these stats, it is not easy to choose just one, so we have done the needful for you by doing all sorts of analysis and here present a few questions to you.

What are your current users/customers using?

Have a look at your visitors’ stats and explore what portion of your mobile traffic comes from Android or iPhone as it’s going to be a deciding factor for you as you decide upon iOS or Android. After all, you create an app for your users, thus making them your priority is necessary. Lest you find a higher mobile engagement rate from iOS side, then it’s advised to start with an iPhone app. The same goes out with Android.

Do you have any plans for tabs?

Yes, while making a decision, you need to keep certain scenarios in mind. Like looking at the current market scenario, in the smartphones category Android is the winner. However, if we talk about tablets, then the favorite is hands down iPad. Though Google aims rise above this aspect still it will take some time to come top in this category. Meanwhile, the expectation is high from Amazon’s Kindle Fire as well, as it runs on a forked version of Google’sAndroid, representing its own class.

Still as all votes are with iPad thus you must go for iPad.

Overall, broadly speaking, since iPad is the winner here, you should definitely go for iPad first. Do prioritize this factor because the developing an app for iPhone and iPad are going to be the same. Now, it will influence your overall decision of going for Android or iPhone.

What are your developers familiar with?

Despite the fact that most companies end up giving contracts to most of their mobile development work, still it’s necessary that you talk to your team and find out what they are most familiar with developing in. Like developing for iOS requires a Mac and Android’s developer tools are not at Xcode levels.

As you assign your development work to others, it proves to be critical, whereas, if you’re doing it in-house, as then you don’t have the expertise and you are bound to hire a whole team of skilled Android apps developers or iPhone apps developers that’s again a huge investment. So if you plan to outsource then make sure to handover it in safe and skilled hands. Still, it’s advised to keep your developers in the loop regarding mobile application development work.

Do you want to charge for your app?

Often it happens that Android users are not willing to pay you for your services while the iPhone users are enthusiastic to pay for anything useful and stirring. Thus if you are keen on making money out of your apps, choose iPhone. At the same time, find out whether you’ll be able to accept payments from both platforms or not.

With time Google is increasing the number of countries that support paid Google Play apps however this is one area where Apple is still ahead of the former.

Hope this helps in finding you which is the right platform for you from iPhone and Android application development.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Octal Info Solution Limited .