Android rules U.S. and Europe smartphone sales

[tubemonkey]

I've encountered apps that I really want that aren't compatible with my Galaxy Player 4.0 - like Costco and Grace Digital Remote Control. Most frustrating.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

That seems to be the current Apple centric propaganda spiel, but as the owner of multiple Android devices from simple cheap devices to a more recent Asus Transformer that seems to be all it is. Propaganda.
The Apple propaganda may be somewhat true with respect to games, but I don't know of any specific instances. It certainly does not seem to be true as regards to multimedia or productivity apps, as long as the Android device is running Android 2 or better. Prior to that, Android was not really a prime time player in any regard anyway IMHO.

^This, I have yet to find an app that won't work properly on my devices (from 3.7" G1 running CM7 up to 10" tablets running ICS). The fragmentation issue is being thrown around as a big negative of Android and, though it implies some more work for developers, it's not the issue some pretend it to be.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by afv011

^This, I have yet to find an app that won't work properly on my devices (from 3.7" G1 running CM7 up to 10" tablets running ICS). The fragmentation issue is being thrown around as a big negative of Android and, though it implies some more work for developers, it's not the issue some pretend it to be.

It's an issue for me.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

It's an issue for me.

A monkey issue?

[SeaKing]

Originally Posted by afv011

A monkey issue?

I saw that line "a monkey issue" and a dread filled my heart but then I found that it referred to our friend tubemonkey and again my heart was tranquil.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by =X=

This is very true for some reason one of the greatest advantages Android has always seems to get swept under the rug. I have free apps(Evernote, Netflix, etc..) and even purchased apps like RegliGo. I can use that same app across multiple devices like my phone, tablet, and Google TV and they work great. I don't have to purchase multiple copies one app works for all devices.

=X=

That's true with Apple too, X. You buy an app once and can use it on any device registered to the same iTunes account.

[Nick Johnson]

Android is making its way in the market very rapidly...... People are liking and it and switchin og android from different OS.... This is a good news for android....

[=X=]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's true with Apple too, X. You buy an app once and can use it on any device registered to the same iTunes account.

Okay good to know. I was aware that you can run iPhone apps in the iPad, but it had to be in compatibility mode.


What I don't understand is why there is usually two apps with the same title except one as 'HD'. I had always assumed one way or in one the other for tablets. So if you buy an iPad 'HD' app it should work on the iphone/iTouch?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by =X=

Okay good to know. I was aware that you can run iPhone apps in the iPad, but it had to be in compatibility mode.


What I don't understand is why there is usually two apps with the same title except one as 'HD'. I had always assumed one way or in one the other for tablets. So if you buy an iPad 'HD' app it should work on the iphone/iTouch?

"HD" versions of apps are, as you rightly say, optimized for use on the iPad rather than the iPhone. But many apps will detect which platform they're running on, and dynamically reconfigure their layout accordingly. It's really just a marketing gimmick to sell two versions of an app; there's certainly no technical reason for it.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's really just a marketing gimmick to sell two versions of an app; there's certainly no technical reason for it.

Indeed it is. And usually the HD version is priced higher than the standard version.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by afv011

Indeed it is. And usually the HD version is priced higher than the standard version.

Does nobody do that for Android, as a matter of interest? Sell different phone and tablet versions of an app, I mean.

[RainingLemur]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Does nobody do that for Android, as a matter of interest? Sell different phone and tablet versions of an app, I mean.

I've seen a few apps that are advertised as "tablet" specific. But, not too many.

The only one that readily comes to mind is MODO player (since I use the crap out of it).

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...cal.modo&hl=en - Modo Player

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...o.tablet&hl=en - Modo for Tablet.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Does nobody do that for Android, as a matter of interest? Sell different phone and tablet versions of an app, I mean.

Honestly, I can't tell you, none of my apps have the split, but I wouldn't put it past some companies to try to score twice by having an SD and HD app. I don't know the inner works of iOS, but on Android there are plenty of tools the OS gives you to manage multiple screen resolutions and densities so your layout displays properly regardless of the device in use, so it would not be justified to have the split.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by =X=

What I don't understand is why there is usually two apps with the same title except one as 'HD'. I had always assumed one way or in one the other for tablets. So if you buy an iPad 'HD' app it should work on the iphone/iTouch?

Actually lots of apps don't do that, they have both iPhone and iPad versions in one app, it is just that the ones that do are more obvious I think it is most common with games.
In iTunes, or on the iTunes website, any app with a little + (plus) icon supports both iPhone and iPad layouts in the one app.

Edit: Bluefire shows an example of the plus icon. The screenshot section shows both iPhone and iPad screenshots.

[StoryEnthusiast]

I just love the competition in Android phones. The prices of smartphones have dropped drastically in the last few years. I can see cheap Android phones selling for less than US$50 contract-free within a few years. That's all good news for budget conscious consumers like me.