Streamified Blog

A Tale of Two Devices

Even as we continue to work with Apple to get the iOS version of Streamified in the App Store, we are asking Android users to be a little more patient. Here’s more on our development plans for the Android platform and why we have made the decisions we have.

It is impossible to jump onto any mobile technology-related blog without witnessing an iPhone vs. Android discussion. It seems as though everyone has an opinion about “what is the best.” In particularly heated cases, Blackberry and Windows Mobile might even get drawn into the conflict as well.

When we say that Streamified will be coming to the Android “after iOS,” I know what that sounds like to Android users. In fact, I am an Android user myself (I love my Galaxy Nexus). It sounds like we’re putting Android on a back-burner.

The truth is a bit more complicated. In the mobile space, I’ve worked as a contracted app developer, consultant, game developer and everything in between. I never stop having this discussion about the pros and cons of each platform. Truth be told, I’d rather not pick one over the other.

Unfortunately, trying to develop on two platforms simultaneously usually means you create a worse product. Why? Well, in doing so, you split a team’s creative energy and constantly search for a middle ground. What works well (from a UI, UX, business or any other standpoint) on one platform may not work well on the other. To try to hit both at once is likely to result in a “merely average” product on each, especially without a large team.

Also, there is no real argument in the mobile world about which platform it is easier to reach a large audience quickly on when it comes to apps. Android may have a higher overall market penetration and more app loyalty by users, but iOS has a much more vibrant app economy.

For Streamified, it made more sense for us to pick a platform to focus on, get it right, and then expand using what we know to create a unique and complete solution for the other platform. It is not a matter of profits that drove our decision to make the iOS app first (remember, the app is a free download). Rather, it was the ability to establish the product in the most efficient way possible through the App Store.

I know that such explanations are not much consolation if you are a frustrated Android user feeling like you’re constantly waiting for an app to come to your platform. I have no intention of allowing Streamified to fall into this trap of considering one platform above the other. However, due to needing to make sure the quality is to our expectations and standards, we were forced to prioritize our development.

Until next time,

- Zane

Zane Claes is the founder and programmer at Streamified; he can be reached at Zane@Streamifed.com.