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Multiple app stores, multiple phone configurations, multiplies confusion for customers. I'd like to make apps for android, but it is such a moving target in so

by lzw 16y ago

Multiple app stores, multiple phone configurations, multiplies confusion for customers. I'd like to make apps for android, but it is such a moving target in so many ways.

aphexairlines 16y ago
Just go back to what you learned developing PC software instead of web software. It might run on a core2 dell, or a slow eeepc, or an i7 lenovo. You might sell it direct, or at best buy, or at Amazon. The diverse PC industry has done just fine against homogenous computing platforms and appliances. You'll be fine too.
- hboon 16y ago
  But the smaller screen on mobile devices sets a different constraint. On a PC, you are pretty safe assuming say, a minimum resolution of 800x600, 1024x768 [1], and generally software can just move autoresize to shift UI widgets to make use of additional space. On the other hand, for mobile devices, with resolution of say 320x480 (iPhone/iPod touch) vs. 1024x768, you need to be much more specific with the UI to make efficient use of the space. E.g you find that good apps running on the iPhone often have different looking counterparts on the iPad. Add to it things like certain devices having touchscreens, vs. non-touchscreens for Android which affects the entire UI and even nature of the software, it makes handling such variations much more difficult than for the PC market. [1] Unless you are writing software for very specific purposes that need to utilize the whole screen efficiently, then we are back to the same problem.
- gamble 16y ago
  There is no market for PC software. Not counting the software that ships with the computer, the average person spends approximately nothing on software for their PC. At best they might buy a virus scanner and QuickTax. Platform fragmentation and the relatively difficulty of finding and installing software for the PC played a big part in destroying that market.
  - bryanlarsen 16y ago
    Tell that to the [minecraft developer](http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30767/Indie_Game_Minecrafts_Sales_Pass_320K.php http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30767/Indie_Game_Minecraf...), who's making more than $10K a day selling a PC game he basically developed himself.

by lzw 16y ago

Multiple app stores, multiple phone configurations, multiplies confusion for customers. I'd like to make apps for android, but it is such a moving target in so many ways.

aphexairlines 16y ago

Just go back to what you learned developing PC software instead of web software. It might run on a core2 dell, or a slow eeepc, or an i7 lenovo. You might sell it direct, or at best buy, or at Amazon. The diverse PC industry has done just fine against homogenous computing platforms and appliances. You'll be fine too.

hboon 16y ago
But the smaller screen on mobile devices sets a different constraint. On a PC, you are pretty safe assuming say, a minimum resolution of 800x600, 1024x768 [1], and generally software can just move autoresize to shift UI widgets to make use of additional space. On the other hand, for mobile devices, with resolution of say 320x480 (iPhone/iPod touch) vs. 1024x768, you need to be much more specific with the UI to make efficient use of the space. E.g you find that good apps running on the iPhone often have different looking counterparts on the iPad. Add to it things like certain devices having touchscreens, vs. non-touchscreens for Android which affects the entire UI and even nature of the software, it makes handling such variations much more difficult than for the PC market. [1] Unless you are writing software for very specific purposes that need to utilize the whole screen efficiently, then we are back to the same problem.
gamble 16y ago
There is no market for PC software. Not counting the software that ships with the computer, the average person spends approximately nothing on software for their PC. At best they might buy a virus scanner and QuickTax. Platform fragmentation and the relatively difficulty of finding and installing software for the PC played a big part in destroying that market.
- bryanlarsen 16y ago
  Tell that to the [minecraft developer](http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30767/Indie_Game_Minecrafts_Sales_Pass_320K.php http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30767/Indie_Game_Minecraf...), who's making more than $10K a day selling a PC game he basically developed himself.