Developers Still Choose iOS First. Why?
In the recent year and a half we've been seeing Android devices starting to overtake their iOS competitors in the number of activations per month. Even the Google Play Store is gaining on the Apple AppStore in terms of number of apps in market. So clearly Android is the OS for developers to work on because the statistics and graphs said so. But why are developers still rolling out iOS apps way before Android versions?
Quantity not Quality
Although there are a tonne more Android devices going into the hands of users worldwide than iOS devices, most of them are entry-level models. And the problem with owning an entry-level model device is that users usually treat it more like a standard phone rather than a smart-phone. After all the worst feeling a person can have is to have all the apps you actually want not be compatible with your device. So, why bother hunting for apps in the first place?
Ready Users
Having an expensive device is actually pretty good positioning. It filters the user list down to those more ready to start using their devices with apps. Because of that a higher percentage of iOS device users actually use apps. Having spent that much on a device, you better make full use of it.
Standardization
It doesn't take a genius to figure this out. Develop an Android App and you need to cater to users from HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S, Samsung Note, Sony Xperia, and the list goes on and on. Build for iOS and you have the iPhone and iPad, maybe an iPod Touch or two. If I was a developer having spent so much to come up with a revolutionary app, I too would hit iOS first for an easier and quicker buck
Cleaner Market
I use a Samsung S3 and an iPad so I kinda know how to differentiate the two App Stores. Let me just put it this way. With the AppStore I occasionally browse through looking for any interesting apps that might catch my eye. And I usually only ever open the Play Store to look for apps I've read about in tech blogs or recommended by friends.
Reason being is there is so many redundant and useless apps in the Play Store that I can't be bothered to browse and install adventurously. A cleaner AppStore is more conducive for users and encourage confident downloads and purchases. This is also why developers find iOS versions of their apps receive higher response than their Android versions.
Shortage of Developers
I am surprised that there are still a shortage in supply for Android platform developers, but it's true. Companies cannot start replacing their staff with Android-savvy counterparts just because it's the next big thing to get into. Wait, I would do that actually.
Verdict
Although it would seem that the market is already driving the demand for Android OS development, actual trends do not reflect it very much. Maybe they choose to make apps available only to iOS first to create a sense of exclusivity, kinda like what Instagram did before going 'ghetto'. And maybe things will turn around very soon and we will see apps coming out in Play Stores before AppStores. Google could also do an annual Spring Cleaning to rid their Play Store of crappy apps.
