What do you prefer?

[Laridae]

Originally Posted by Istvan diVega

Android of course. Huge choice of hardware, equal or better functionality, open standards, no walled garden. An absolute no-brainer.

Ditto. I couldn't have said it better myself.

But I like the idea of having competing formats. Keeps 'em honest!
By all accounts iOs is a fine platform and has millions of followers. I just wouldn't want to pay a premium for it, personally, and it's the walled garden, in particular, that I'd really resent. "Digital Claustrophobia" I call it.

[GlenBarrington]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Well, I never had any of that, so I am going to say BlackBerry. My employer gives me it for free.

At the price of being on call all the time? Sort of, but since I am on call pretty much all the time, I'd have to get my own non-smart cell phone if they didn't give me one. Or I'd hold out for the upcoming free Android.

I guess my real favorite is Linux, since that's behind the Kindle Keyboard.

Android is a version of Linux, as is the new Unbutu Mobile operating system. I don't know, but I strongly suspect the new Foxfire OS is branched from Linux too. (for all I know, they are branched off from Android, not Linux)

[Laridae]

Originally Posted by Sregener

One thing that should weigh in your decision is Amazon's app store. I have heard they are resistant to foreign development (such as Great Big War Game developer Rubicon), and the inability of the regular user to install apps from Google Play onto a Kindle-branded Android device will put a limit on your ability to distribute to all Android devices. Apple has no such issue.

I see that more as a reason to avoid Kindle rather than a reason to avoid Android. This appears to be an attempt by Amazon to create their own "walled garden".

But that's OK because Kindles are not a big seller around here anyway, since Amazon doesn't really support them in Canada.

[kyteflyer]

Originally Posted by FullCircleDesign

As a company, we are currently developing ebooks and apps for iOS and then converting it to Android (but it takes a bit longer sometimes)
But if Android is the more popular system … then it's obvious to first focus on Android and then convert to iOS.

So are you going to make sure your apps etc are available for *all* android devices? Seems to be any developer has his/her work cut out for her to get compatibility across the board. Or will you develop only for the latest OS and the biggest selling devices... in which case much of your potential android market will be lost. Many different devices, many different screen res, many different OS versions and then on top of that, many different presentations of the OS, according to the brand of device. Might be "open" but its crazy.

Give me iOS any day. (and yes, I actually have Android devices but gave up at Gingerbread)

[Jessica Lares]

I like both. I can't stand the argument about games not being on Android. Hello, it's a smartphone. Nor can I stand the argument about customization not being possible on iOS without a jailbreak. I'm going back to iOS once the iPhone 5S comes out though.

And I like Windows too. But I don't have a use for it anymore after making the permanent switch to OS X in 2006. My usage has completely changed. Linux is nice too, but I've never had a use for it either.

[K. Molen]

Originally Posted by Laridae

...Kindles are not a big seller around here anyway, since Amazon doesn't really support them in Canada.

What do you mean? Amazon has supported Kindles in Canada since at least March of 2011, which is when I bought mine from Amazon.com. I had to do a warranty replacement on the first one and it was done without issue, with them paying for all shipping charges. At first I had to buy my books through Amazon.com in USD, but as of a while back you can now buy both books and Kindles directly from Amazon.ca in CAD.

So I don't understand what you mean when you say Amazon don't really support Kindles in Canada...

[delaplane]

I use both. I use an ipad at work but I own only Android devices - phone, tablets, and smart-tv boxes.

Both work and both have both their good and bad points but I just prefer Android overall.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by kyteflyer

So are you going to make sure your apps etc are available for *all* android devices? Seems to be any developer has his/her work cut out for her to get compatibility across the board. Or will you develop only for the latest OS and the biggest selling devices... in which case much of your potential android market will be lost. Many different devices, many different screen res, many different OS versions and then on top of that, many different presentations of the OS, according to the brand of device. Might be "open" but its crazy.

Really. It does not seem to be much trouble to develop for the versions that cover most of the Android devices. Have you tried it yourself or are you repeating what to me seems to be FUD?