So, if you remember back on December 29, 2010, I wrote a short piece about how the huge selection and relatively high quality software available through the AppStore was a major advantage for the iPhone over Android. (more)
Today, I read that Google is hiring mobile app developers for Android, presumably to do something about it. (more) I can only surmise that they read my blog post and were convinced of the urgency of the problem (haha). In any case, it looks like Google is taking the issue seriously, and is willing to put their seemingly limitless resources to work on it.
The problem I see is this: Apple has created a machine whereby they actually charge developers to join, then they scrape off a healthy 30% of gross revenue for all apps sold. Google, on the other hand, is now going to pay talented engineers ($$$) to create apps for Android (cashflow negative) which they may or may not actually charge for.
Don't get me wrong, I'm in no position to criticize Google's business model. If they can deliver ads in the apps they develop and give away for free, it's quite possible that they can make a serious endeavor of it. The problem is that like most of Google's "open" projects (Android, iGoogle Gadgets, etc), few developers outside of Google ever get into the game. Google becomes essentially the only user of their own APIs. The jury is still out on whether that is good or bad, but it is certainly different than the road Apple has taken, and so far, Apple's been doing quite alright with it.
Why not post a comment and share what you think about Google's move to bolster the Android app market. Will this be the end of Apple's supreme reign on the handheld?
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