Russian Roulette, iPhone or Android?

[Hussein Baghdadi]

Hey,
I'm thinking of discovering the world of these new devices, iPhone and Android
I'm not sure which platform to pick, here are my thoughts:

iPhone
* A very well designed platform and API
* Attractive interfaces
* Could make money to me
* The platform where innovations sparks.
* I already have a Mac
* I don't know any thing about Objective-C
* All people know it
* I could do iPad applications in the future
Android
* Java knowledge under my belt
* Tons of Java tools
* Not mature and proved
* Popular among developers, not regular users
* Not that attractive

So, I can pick Android so easily but it is like swimming in dark water, you don't know what is next.
iPhone on the other hand is much much better investment but I have to sacrifice about ten years of Java.
Maybe I'm wrong and I would like to hear your opinions all.
Thanks for help and time.

[Tim Holloway]

Unfortunately, reports are that iPhone developers haven't been making a whole lot of money. Then again, I'm not sure Androide developers have been making any money!

I myself am perfectly happy with my Android phone. I can do things like read books and listen to music at the same time, which supposedly the iPhone won't permit. The UI is fairly pretty and usable, if occasionally a nuisance to program. I don't need special software or equipment to develop for it (other than the free Android downloads) and don't have to register/pay for what I do use. I don't have to worry about a vendor forbidding me to publish an app once it's done. And I'm not limited to a reach-out-and-wiretap-someone carrier with notoriously rotten coverage.

[Monu Tripathi]

I work on Android platform and would like to say a few things(Please note that I am not comparing it with anything):

Android army is rising : gartner predicts Android future. More and more companies are adopting it and for a multitude of devices. It is open-source; you are free to look at anything and everything, you can experiment(with app development, porting to other devices etc.). The user base is expected to only grow, IMO.

You can earn money by developing Android apps and also by freelancing and taking up other projects. Since, it is new not many actually know it and you can leverage upon your knowledge of Java.

You can design cool UIs in Android, you are free to apply innovation.You can contribute to the main project.[Someone wrote on their web site: With Android sky imagination is the limit.]

[forums UseR]

Just my $0.02...

You don't get locked into Mac book/pro, etc... for development...

All google apps are free, goggles, translation, listen, etc you name it, and its seamlessly integrated into Android, all it takes is patience to search on the market. (as mentioned in my other post)

The fact that Android runs Linux is just enticing

I have no regrets on my purchase

And so also the Linux creator himself

[Monu Tripathi]

You might find this useful if you have not read it already.

[Hussein Baghdadi]

srinivas chary wrote:Just my $0.02...

You don't get locked into Mac book/pro, etc... for development...

All google apps are free, goggles, translation, listen, etc you name it, and its seamlessly integrated into Android, all it takes is patience to search on the market. (as mentioned in my other post)

The fact that Android runs Linux is just enticing

I have no regrets on my purchase

And so also the Linux creator himself

Actually, being Android is a Linux system is a negative thing to me.
I don't like Linux
Yes, Apple locks developers into their machines but man, it is a sweeeeet jail, best machines ever and fun to use
Of course Linus will use and recommend Android, what else do you think?
Please note, I'm not disdaining Android but I think iPhone has the upper hand.

[Monu Tripathi]

Read another article today that you might find interesting (may be an option even worth considering, since you are starting afresh):
1. Kindle App development
2. Comparing Android and Kindle App development