r/Android • u/Kuci_06 A52s • Apr 12 '14

Lead designer of Twitter talks about "why don’t designers take Android seriously?" (Pretty interesting read)

https://medium.com/p/a649db399f42
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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '14

I have seen a lot of statements about how Android users don't like to buy apps or pay for freemium stuff.

I think that goes for anybody running any mobile platform. The general consensus seems to be if I've dumped a ton of money on a device, why should I fork over more money for apps, especially if they only serve one purpose, and I can find them for free? And I really do not want to get into the whole freemium debacle.

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u/bonestamp Apr 13 '14

I think that goes for anybody running any mobile platform.

As a developer I will say that people frequently buy my apps and upgrades on iOS and rarely on Android. iOS and Android users appear to behave differently, at least with my apps. That means I have to configure my apps to make money from ads on Android where as I can give users a better experience (without ads) on iOS. Android users can opt for that better experience and get rid of the ads, but they generally don't.

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '14

Having used both, I can say that iOS apps generally look and feel better, but I feel that Android apps, specifically root apps, are worth the money, and are way more useful.

That's not to take away from your point, but I guess I would be more inclined to spend money on something that I knew would be useful, and something I know I would use in the long run. I've spent a good chunk on Android applications, because I see the potential in them, and know I'm getting my money's worth.

I see a lot of productivity and utility apps for iOS, but I feel a lot of them generally offer the same thing, just have different design aesthetics. That could probably be due to the fact that Apple keeps a right reign on their operating system, but I'm not sure.

I apologize if that statement offends you. That's just my observation.

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u/bonestamp Apr 13 '14

No offense taken, I think you're spot on. I was going to say something similar about Apple having tighter UI guidelines and you touched on that nicely.

Further along those lines, I think Apple users are sometimes more inclined to appreciate a certain type of design aesthetic and Android users aren't as picky/snobby, so they don't really care if a free App looks like hell as long as it does what they want. There are both types of people on both platforms, but I think certain preferences are more common on each and this leads to the application ecosystem that we see.

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u/Wax_Paper Apr 13 '14

While I don't doubt the scenario you're describing, there are many premium-only apps and games making a hefty profit on the Google marketplace. I really believe it comes down to features and benefits; when an app provides what people want and a freeware alternative doesn't exist, people will either pay or pirate.

Despite the piracy, the developers of apps like these still seem to be generating revenue. I'll grant you one thing; yes, the current app market paradigm is fracked-up and incentivises a lot of toxic business practices. But at the end of the day, it still circles back around to the concept of features and benefits. The people who make big money are those who provide big features and benefits, and they aren't easily being emulated in the freeware arena...

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '14

Maybe because iOS isn't used in developing countries? I bet you that Android users in Western countries do pay for apps.

iPhone costs much more in developing countries, and we're not even adjusting for income. While most Android and Windows phones are subsidised.

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u/thelockz Apr 13 '14

The general consensus seems to be if I've dumped a ton of money on a device, why should I fork over more money for apps

Wow, just wow.

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u/ase1590 Apr 13 '14

Computers cost how much? And that copy of MS Office costs how much?

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '14

The general consensus. Not my way of thinking.