iPhone apps vs android apps

[maflynn]

Since there's a couple of queries regarding android apps to showcase the platform. I'm curious ad to the differences in how the apps are

for instance is there a performance difference with android apps because it java based or does android apps have access to more hardware level APIs? I'm not looking for an incredibly detailed answer but rather a high level explanation of the advantages/disadvantages with the development platform

thanks
Mike

[extorian]

Android apps are written in a Java-like language. It runs on a virtual machine just like java, which does have a small performance hit as a result. However, it also means the rest of the system is protected from badly written applications that may otherwise crash the entire phone. You can also write apps for Android using the NDK which gives you lower level access to the phone that what is available via the Java APIs. The best thing about Android is that it's open souce and supports open development. It's also very easy to publish your app on the Market, even if it's a paid app. You can use any tools or compilers you like for Android, including compilers that integrate Flash into apps. One downside of Android is that you have to take multiple devices and multiple versions of the OS into account. Not all phones are the same - they have different sensors, some have keyboards, some don't, some have more memory, some don't, some have different resolutions and screen sizes.

With the iPhone, you have a similar choice of ways to code stuff, with similar access to hardware through the APIs. For the most part, all iPhones are the same in terms of coding for them. There's not a lot of difference here overall. But this is where it ends. Apple do not support open source or open development in the way Google does. It is also a difficult and slow process to get your app published to the app store. You also HAVE to use their compilers. You cannot use 3rd party compilers (such as the one that allows you to compile Flash into apps). This is now expressly prohibited.

You can see more about that specific restriction on the iPhone here: http://daringfireball.net/2010/04/ip...flash_compiler

In terms of performance, it's hard to measure. The biggest difference is in the hardware. The Samsung Galaxy S, for example, has a graphics capability of around 90 million triangles per second, compared to the iPhone 3GS which can do only 28 million - so it would be way faster at graphics. However, the iPhone 3GS is much faster than older Android phones like the G1. Similarly, the iPhone 3GS has a raw processing power in excess of older Android phones, but Android phones with the 1GHz Snapdragon processors will be faster than the iPhone 3GS.

[constellanation]

lets see advantages for developers on android freely available sdk and development tools, only a small fee to publish in the market though android phones aren't forced to download from the market only. no approval process. the OS is open source which usually is a positive thing for developers. and android allows for a higher level on integration with apps and the OS. and you can develop the app how ever you would like. and all That without a fear of it being pulled from the market for no reason (unless Its malicious of course)

apple doesn't have any of that.

of course I know you meant more code level type stuff, but unfortunately that's over my head.

[maflynn]

Thanks for the write up on some of the differences.

I've not noticed any performance hit, but I have noticed that many of the iPhone apps are a tad bit more polished - at least the ones I've looked at. Compare field runners on the iPhone against say Robo Defense.

[ggrant3876]

Thanks for the write up on some of the differences.

I've not noticed any performance hit, but I have noticed that many of the iPhone apps are a tad bit more polished - at least the ones I've looked at. Compare field runners on the iPhone against say Robo Defense.

You've got to realize the iphone has been around longer than android. I'm sure the iphone apps weren't quite as polished in their first year and a half either.

[maflynn]

Unless you count the ifart apps

As I've mentioned in my other threads, I have the N1 and I'm giving it a try. I've had it almost a week now and I'm getting used to it. FWIW, my wife's iphone was giving her problems, so I gave her mine, so sink or swim, I'm on the Nexus One