Why People Aren't Buying iPads Anymore

[ProfCrash]

I have read many an article that shows that while there are fewer people with IProducts, there are many more apps because people with IProducts are willing to pay more for apps. Pure anecdotal evidence here but I see this at Board Game Geeks on a regular basis. An app is released for a popular game. The price point is $5. Keep in mind, this is a port of a board game that costs around $50 a pop. The IOS users are all on board, the Android users state that they hope the price comes down when it comes out on Android.

My conclusion, at least in this area, that there is more incentive to build a solid app for IOS because it is more profitable. People will pay a higher amount. The Android port can hold off for a while because they are not going to sell as many at the more profitable price point.

I suspect that this same logic applies across apps.

Toss in that when you program for Android, you have to program for how many different variations of Android? It is a time suck and time is money.

And then there is the annoying, time consuming Apple approval process that decreases the likelihood of an app going boom.

[HarryT]

Just one example (which I know means little in the overall scheme of things):

I have a flying quadcopter toy called a "Parrot AR2 drone". It's controlled by WiFi (the drone is a WiFi hotspot) from a Smartphone using an app called "AR Freeflight". The iOS version of the app is rock solid; the Android version is way behind in terms of features, and VERY buggy. When an app crash can result in a "real world" actual for-real crash of a $300 flying machine, that's kind of annoying.

I know that one example doesn't mean much, but it's an example of the fact that many companies do prioritise iOS apps over Android.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I have read many an article that shows that while there are fewer people with IProducts, there are many more apps because people with IProducts are willing to pay more for apps. Pure anecdotal evidence here but I see this at Board Game Geeks on a regular basis. An app is released for a popular game. The price point is $5. Keep in mind, this is a port of a board game that costs around $50 a pop. The IOS users are all on board, the Android users state that they hope the price comes down when it comes out on Android.

My conclusion, at least in this area, that there is more incentive to build a solid app for IOS because it is more profitable. People will pay a higher amount. The Android port can hold off for a while because they are not going to sell as many at the more profitable price point.

Not all of the Android phones on the market are iPhone competitors. In fact, there are just a handful of models out of all the Android models sold that are similarly high-end as the iPhone is - the rest seem to be for price-sensitive consumers.

I would bet that consumers with those higher-end phones would purchase apps at a clip similar to the iOS consumers. But you can't expect the rest of the Android market to act like high-end consumers.

[HarryT]

I have both a 2013 Nexus 7 and an iPad Retina Mini. Both excellent devices. Great apps available for both.

One "Killer App" that's Android only is of course "Calibre Companion", which is reason all on its own to buy an Android tablet for those who want to read on a tablet.

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by Shane R

Not all of the Android phones on the market are iPhone competitors. In fact, there are just a handful of models out of all the Android models sold that are similarly high-end as the iPhone is - the rest seem to be for price-sensitive consumers.

I would bet that consumers with those higher-end phones would purchase apps at a clip similar to the iOS consumers. But you can't expect the rest of the Android market to act like high-end consumers.

Agreed, which is probably why app developers tend to start with IOS since people with IProducts are more willing to spend money and the programming is easier because there is only one version to worry about.

Now try to tell that to the people on the various boards that I post on who complain that the App they want is only on Apple or is too expensive and why are they charging so much.

There is a good business reason for the disparity in apps. People should buy a device that does what they need it to do. Take a look at the app stores and see what is available and make an informed decision. I needed an IPad to do what I wanted to do. Other people are fine with a cheaper Android. Cool enough

I just get annoyed with the people who want the cheap Android who then complain about the apps available on IProducts and not on their Android. You should have looked first and not simply bought what you did assuming that all things are equal.

[sakura-panda]

Originally Posted by HarryT

All my iTunes music is already in MP3 format. That's not the issue.

The issue is how can I seamlessly transfer music from my iTunes library to an Android phone, browse what music I currently have on the phone, etc? If you can answer that I'd be most appreciative.

Google Play Music will import all of your iTunes music -- playlists too -- into your library. It updates constantly -- whenever I add new music to iTunes, it appears practically instantly in my Google library. However, it doesn't work both ways -- whenever I delete music from iTunes, I have to manually delete it from Google Play Music too (which I realize is not a common case. I delete frequently from iTunes and I want my libraries to match.)

I've never actually used Google Music on an Android phone -- I use it with a web browser either on my PC or on my TV -- but I do like the way it is set up for the web.

On topic, I agree that it is more likely that people are not buying iPads because the ones that want them already have them and do not feel the need to upgrade. I have two, the first and third generations and I do not plan to buy any more. I can't imagine anything (besides *both* of them no longer turning on) that would entice me to buy another one.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

There is a good business reason for the disparity in apps. People should buy a device that does what they need it to do. Take a look at the app stores and see what is available and make an informed decision. I needed an IPad to do what I wanted to do. Other people are fine with a cheaper Android. Cool enough

I just get annoyed with the people who want the cheap Android who then complain about the apps available on IProducts and not on their Android. You should have looked first and not simply bought what you did assuming that all things are equal.

For me it's the opposite - people who are discontent with my choices. I agree with Josieb1 earlier who said "If I want to buy an ipad I don't need anyone telling me I can do the same things with an Android device cheaper."

I've had random people strike up unsolicited conversations with me about my technology choices. That's weird. Thankfully, it's not happening as much anymore.

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I have both a 2013 Nexus 7 and an iPad Retina Mini. Both excellent devices. Great apps available for both.

One "Killer App" that's Android only is of course "Calibre Companion", which is reason all on its own to buy an Android tablet for those who want to read on a tablet.

That's the one app I would love on iOS but I make up for it by loading my books into Marvin,

[tompe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Just one example (which I know means little in the overall scheme of things):

I have a flying quadcopter toy called a "Parrot AR2 drone". It's controlled by WiFi (the drone is a WiFi hotspot) from a Smartphone using an app called "AR Freeflight". The iOS version of the app is rock solid; the Android version is way behind in terms of features, and VERY buggy. When an app crash can result in a "real world" actual for-real crash of a $300 flying machine, that's kind of annoying.

I know that one example doesn't mean much, but it's an example of the fact that many companies do prioritise iOS apps over Android.

You should fly that using ROS (Robotic Operating System) on an ordinary computer (use Ubuntu to avoid problems). Then you can do more fun things.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by Shane R

Not all of the Android phones on the market are iPhone competitors. In fact, there are just a handful of models out of all the Android models sold that are similarly high-end as the iPhone is - the rest seem to be for price-sensitive consumers.

I would bet that consumers with those higher-end phones would purchase apps at a clip similar to the iOS consumers. But you can't expect the rest of the Android market to act like high-end consumers.

I am not sure about that. It seems to me that one important factor here is that people using high end Android are from the open source and Linux world. They like more openess and the source available. So the interest is not in just playing games or just test a lot of apps.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by tompe

You should fly that using ROS (Robotic Operating System) on an ordinary computer (use Ubuntu to avoid problems). Then you can do more fun things.

Thanks, Tommy, I'll look into that. I've only recently bought the AR2, and while I'm aware that there's all sorts of third-party software around for it (as well as an active "modding" community) I've not yet explored it. Appreciate the recommendation.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by tompe

It seems to me that one important factor here is that people using high end Android are from the open source and Linux world.

Many I know make their (subsidized) purchases based on 1. Bigger screen and 2. Lower introductory price.

[hidari]

the Apple religion lives on.....

Originally Posted by shanghaichica

I agree. The tablet apps on Android just aren't as polished as those on ios. Most are just blown up phone apps


Also there are a few I use on my ipad which aren't available on android such as:

Amazon instant video
Battleships (EA games)
Streets of rage
Mr crab
Street fighter
Mortal combat
Trivial pursuit
PADD - star trek app
Star trek books.
National geographic world atlas
The Guardian eyewitness

Also the iTunes store has a lot more content than the play store in terms of TV shows. I can hey whatever I want on my ipad, on Android lots of TV shows simply aren't available.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by hidari

the Apple religion lives on.....

Perhaps you'd be kind enough to state which of the factual statements in the post you quote are incorrect?

[alanHd]

I use Mediamonkey to manage my music on my computer as well as on my Galaxy S5 and my ipad. it has an android app that allows wireless sync as well as via USB.