I've been tossing around the idea of becomming an iPhone developer because I like the convience of my iPhone and I would like to make some apps and maybe some money as well. I have here a list of pros and cons of both

iPhone:
1. large user base
2. large interoperability base
cons:
1. Special programming language only good on iPhone/iPod
2. $100 to become a devloper
3. $??? to buy a mac
4. $100 to list an app on the iTunes store
5. Programming language is limited to what Apple has programmed for use in their special programming language
6. An extra computer around the house
7. closed source- if something fails then you have to wait for Apple to fix it

Android:
1. Open source platform- you can examine the code running the phone.
2. Programmed in java- if you learn to program an Android, you've learned to program a Windows, Mac, and Linux computer (not to be confused with the web based javascript)
3. Run by a company who is not trying to profit off of every byte you put in- Google
4. Eclipse is an open source Integrated Development Environment. It's free and recommended by Google/Android http://www.eclipse.org/
5. Eclipse IDE is available on all platforms (Windows, Linux, Mac)
6. Android emulator is free and available on all platforms, I have it running on my computer right now. This also means I'm familiar with how Android works.
7. No devlopment walls- you program in a Virtual Machine environment rather then a strict Language/SDK developed by Apple. The Dalvik Virtual Machine allows for pretty much full functionality where the limits are the physical limits of the device, rather then what Apple says.

Cons:
1. Smaller current user base
2. I don't own an ACTUAL Android yet, but I have an emulator provided by Google.
3. Android does not hook up to just about every car sold.


So what is your take on this? I would like some input. I'm seriously considering going the Android route because I don't want to be a mac owner just to be a iPhone Developer.

Personally, I feel that the crowd follows the devlopers... You know, the whole "If you build it, they will come" thing. Apple has always been closed source/clicky devlopment. Do you think this will hurt them again, as it did in the 80's? Do you think the whole recent Apple thing will be just as it was before where everyone had a Apple IIe and then switched over to a different platform? Do you think Apple has positioned themselves to be the leader by getting the iphone dock into every car?

 

my incredible hooks up to every car sold...it has a 3.5mm headphone jack and a mini usb connector, i can play music while my car charger charges the phone

i <3 my incredible

 

go with android. it can grow and do you really want to be on the apple bandwagon? I feel like practicaclly every new smart phone that comes out is runnign android. it's going to be bigger than iphone i think.

 

Based upon my understanding, that is how I feel as well. It's just all these cars comming iPod ready that throws me off. Maybe it would be a good idea to make an iPod>android converter box or something. Dunno. iPhone definately has a strong footing. I don't really like apple that much. Gotta give it to them, but I think android will surpass iPhone a great deal within the nex few years

 

I also have the Incredible and it is awesome. Most likely the fastest, most responsive smartphone. You can play Pandora in a car through bluetooth haha

I would go with Android because it's probably less of a pain (apple has too much control over the apps and they kinda restrict the APIs). I think Android is really going to take off also mainly because there are/will be a ton of different devices (with all wireless carriers) whereas all the iphone is just one (very small variation between models) and it's only available through AT&T.

 

Windows mobile 7 & android

 

I love my G1 running Android and it's hooked up into the 3.5mm jack in my headunit.

 

I believe android just came out with a codeless WYSIWYG GUI. Just drag and drop buttons. It also might be easier to get your app identified on Android, vs. the overloaded iPhone catalog.

Android seems to be picking up quite a bit of market share lately. That's the route I'd go.

 

Cars are "iPod ready" because the Apple stuff requires a special connector and protocol. Android phones don't. This is why cars aren't advertised as "Android ready". There's no such thing since Android doesn't require anything special.

 

^^^yup