Aquinas | The University of Scranton

What Android means for the iPhone
BY JOSEPH CASABONA
STAFF WRITER
October 9, 2008 issue

Last week, T-Mobile announced the G1, the world's first Android phone. Android, of course, is the mobile platform by Google and the Open Handset Alliance (“Google Android” is a misnomer). This means that in less than a month the iPhone will have, what I think, is its first real competition.
I could go on to talk about all of the nuances in Android, what I have seen and why I think it's better than the iPhone, but that would be an exercise in futility. Those in the iPhone camp will think what they want about the user interface (UI) and features no matter what. That goes the same for people in the Android camp. However, there is one very important thing Google did that Apple did not. They made Android completely and unconditionally Open Source (OS). What does this mean for the consumer? Well before I get to that, I want to talk about what it means for the developer.
As a developer, I really like ease of use, and writing an application for the iPhone is anything but. I have to apply to the iPhone Developer's program. I have to download a pretty hefty program –called a Software Development Kit or SDK— in order for me to write an application. There are limitations as to what I can access on the iPhone to write my app. Then if I want to submit it to the iTunes App Store –the only place I am allowed to distribute my app.—, I have to pay the iPhone Developers fee. They will also take 30 percent of my asking price. Oh and by the way, I can only do all of this if I have a Mac. Then I have to hope Apple lets me keep my app. in the store. While this is likely, there have been a few incidences where apps have been taken out of the app store with no reason given. My point is this: Apple holds a pretty tight leash on the entire development process, which is in stark contrast to developing for Android.
I was up and running in, literally, minutes with Android's SDK. Download the fairly lightweight program, follow the direction on the Android SDK's site and, moments later, I had the sample program running. I can write an application to do whatever I want, even replace the dial screen, address book, or anything. When the G1 debuts, developers will be able to add their application to the Android Marketplace at no cost. However, if you want to distribute your app via some other avenue, that's fine too. The point: it's all up to the developer. So back to the original question— what does this mean for the consumer?
There is more incentive to release free apps. iPhone developers face a higher financial risk because it's costing them money right off the bat. Why should they write an app. for free? With Android, there is no risk. The only cost to the developer is time. Plus, there are virtually no restrictions on developing for Android. I can write an app. on any computer (PC or Mac), to do whatever I want, and distribute however I want. That is convenient for the developer and, therefore, convenient for the consumer.
My bottom line is this— Android gives developers the power to do whatever it is they want to do with Android. That means it is the world's first phone that can be tailored precisely to your liking. I think it was Morgan Freeman who said it best— "My my, isn't that something?"