Mastodon is a Twitter alternative I found recently. I prefer it there since most people are clever, nice, and less prone to explode than on Twitter. After getting acclimated to the interface, I found the mobile app acceptable but lacking. I was excited to test Ivory, a beta version that numerous people said was better.
Ivory is iOS-only. Android.
I've long used Android phones. I'm familiar with Android but not religious about it. I work with an iPhone and have nothing against iOS or iPhones. I prefer iOS and Android in different ways.
However, when I hear of an app that appears straightforward and useful, race to its site to try it out, and find that it's only accessible on iOS, I may become like an angry five-year-old. I hate being denied this new gadget.
Not just me. Mastodon discussions on this topic have been fascinating. Mastodon rookies, especially those used to Twitter and its third-party apps, are looking for apps to enhance their experience. iOS apps outperform Android, as expected.
Why? Well, Mastodon has discussed numerous options.
Twitter iOS developers created these apps.
Twitter app developers are naturally shifting to Mastodon after Elon Musk banned third-party apps. Tapbots, a two-person development team that produced Tweetbot and other iOS and macOS apps, is working on Ivory, which Mastodon clients are calling the next big thing. Android isn't their priority.
Android app development is harder.
Apple releases a few phones each year that support its latest operating system. Android, on the other hand, is on phones from many manufacturers and often heavily customized. Samsung, which makes many Android phones, offers a version of Android that differs from Google's in interface and basic features (which can be found on phones like the Pixel line).
Developers and smaller firms may lack the resources to handle those variances. "These days, it's pretty rare to see any significant company fail to release an app for both Android and iOS at the same time, with equal priorities," says Android Intelligence founder and publisher JR Raphael. Startups and indie app developers stand out. In situations where resources are limited and a company must decide where to focus, we still see companies initially focus on iOS and then switch to Android later, or even simply focus on iOS. I hope we could change this frustrating reality.”
Apple buyers spend more.
The Apple environment seems to attract wealthier or more tech-savvy folks. Apple hardware is expensive. There are many low-cost Android phones, including Samsung and Pixel models.
Stats: Statista.com said that Apple's App Store earned $21.2 billion in the third quarter of 2022, compared to Google's $10.4 billion. Apple's 2023 first-quarter earnings report showed 2 billion active users, 1 billion less than Google's 2021 3 billion. So unless Google lost over a billion users last year—which would have made headlines—the App Store is making more money while being utilized by fewer people. Games get a lot of that money, but developers get more than on Android.
That view is supported by facts. Because of those and the other problems, a smaller company or individual developer may find it financially advantageous to develop iOS apps, regardless of their personal preferences.
Apple interfaces are more artistic.
The claim that Apple apps are better artistically and user-experience-wise is the most intriguing. Apple fans often argue that macOS and iOS apps are prettier and easier to use than Android apps.
John Gruber, author of Daring Fireball and host of The Talk Show With John Gruber, wrote two excellent writings on this. "Making Our Hearts Sing," a phrase from Steve Jobs' last theatrical performance, drew my attention. Gruber argues, “Over the last decade or so, I think, rather than the two platforms establishing any type of balance, the cultural disparities have instead developed since both users and developers have self-sorted. iOS users appreciate software and interface design, while Android users don't.
Ivory is iOS-only. Android.
I've long used Android phones. I'm familiar with Android but not religious about it. I work with an iPhone and have nothing against iOS or iPhones. I prefer iOS and Android in different ways.
However, when I hear of an app that appears straightforward and useful, race to its site to try it out, and find that it's only accessible on iOS, I may become like an angry five-year-old. I hate being denied this new gadget.
Not just me. Mastodon discussions on this topic have been fascinating. Mastodon rookies, especially those used to Twitter and its third-party apps, are looking for apps to enhance their experience. iOS apps outperform Android, as expected.
Why? Well, Mastodon has discussed numerous options.
Twitter iOS developers created these apps.
Twitter app developers are naturally shifting to Mastodon after Elon Musk banned third-party apps. Tapbots, a two-person development team that produced Tweetbot and other iOS and macOS apps, is working on Ivory, which Mastodon clients are calling the next big thing. Android isn't their priority.
Android app development is harder.
Apple releases a few phones each year that support its latest operating system. Android, on the other hand, is on phones from many manufacturers and often heavily customized. Samsung, which makes many Android phones, offers a version of Android that differs from Google's in interface and basic features (which can be found on phones like the Pixel line).
Developers and smaller firms may lack the resources to handle those variances. "These days, it's pretty rare to see any significant company fail to release an app for both Android and iOS at the same time, with equal priorities," says Android Intelligence founder and publisher JR Raphael. Startups and indie app developers stand out. In situations where resources are limited and a company must decide where to focus, we still see companies initially focus on iOS and then switch to Android later, or even simply focus on iOS. I hope we could change this frustrating reality.”
Apple buyers spend more.
The Apple environment seems to attract wealthier or more tech-savvy folks. Apple hardware is expensive. There are many low-cost Android phones, including Samsung and Pixel models.
Stats: Statista.com said that Apple's App Store earned $21.2 billion in the third quarter of 2022, compared to Google's $10.4 billion. Apple's 2023 first-quarter earnings report showed 2 billion active users, 1 billion less than Google's 2021 3 billion. So unless Google lost over a billion users last year—which would have made headlines—the App Store is making more money while being utilized by fewer people. Games get a lot of that money, but developers get more than on Android.
That view is supported by facts. Because of those and the other problems, a smaller company or individual developer may find it financially advantageous to develop iOS apps, regardless of their personal preferences.
Apple interfaces are more artistic.
The claim that Apple apps are better artistically and user-experience-wise is the most intriguing. Apple fans often argue that macOS and iOS apps are prettier and easier to use than Android apps.
John Gruber, author of Daring Fireball and host of The Talk Show With John Gruber, wrote two excellent writings on this. "Making Our Hearts Sing," a phrase from Steve Jobs' last theatrical performance, drew my attention. Gruber argues, “Over the last decade or so, I think, rather than the two platforms establishing any type of balance, the cultural disparities have instead developed since both users and developers have self-sorted. iOS users appreciate software and interface design, while Android users don't.
