Market researchers say there are now more Android smartphones than iOS phones in the U.S. and worldwide, but many enterprises continue to launch iOS-only apps. For example, just this week, Twitter launched a music platform that works only on the iPhone and iPod, not Android. Why?
TechCrunch’s Sarah Perez offers a couple of possible explanations. First, iOS users do more mobile browsing and stay engaged with mobile apps longer. Also, it appears that there are some Android users who don’t download any apps at all. “Some believe there are quite a few Android owners who simply don’t use their phones like smartphones,” writes Perez.
Also, in areas where many of the companies building apps are based–like Silicon Valley–iPhones continue to be much more prominent than Android phones. Others say that mobile development talent is the issue–there are simply more experienced iOS developers than Android developers. And of course, the fragmentation issue makes it more difficult to write apps for Android.
Still, companies that do offer Android apps are finding success. Perez concludes, “Android has come a long way since its debut. It’s a solid and promising platform for running apps. It’s in the hands of a lot of people. It’s growing. Now it’s time for the companies who build apps to catch up.”
