Android Market Vs. App Store

If you are on the fence in choosing between the Apple iPhone and any of the Android phones in the market, it is essential that you compare the applications platform for both, before deciding. To truly harness the resources of a smart phone, you need applications that have been exclusively developed for it. When it comes to buying smart phones today, two of the prime choices are the new Android smart phones and the Apple iPhone. Both these phones use different operating systems. While the former uses the Linux avatar of Android, the latter runs exclusively on Apple's iOS.

App Store and Android Market Compared

The struggle between Android market and App Store is a competition between proprietary and open source software, continued on the mobile phone platform. The App Store is Apple's dedicated online service for distribution of applications developed for its iPhone, iPod and iPad, while the Android market is Google's open source initiative to provide a treasure trove of applications for Android based smart phones. It is clearly a showdown between Google and Apple. Let us look at the differences between the two application distribution platforms.

Difference in Application Release System
Both Android market and iPhone Apps Store have a variety of applications made available, with a category wise and popularity graded classification. From games, productivity apps to entertainment applications, both provide immense variety. Let us look at both, from the application developer's point of view.

When it comes to submitting apps, Apple has very stringent guidelines whereby an application needs to be approved by Apple before it is listed and distributed on App Store. This delays the process of bringing out an app in the market. In comparison, this platform lets developers directly list their applications, which speeds up the app launch.

The Android platform inherits the advantage of the open source software community's large pool of developers. While Android and iOS have a great application programming interface, they differ in developer fees charged. While Apple charges $99 for the iPhone SDK, Android app developer fee is only $25. Both markets take a 30% cut from the sale of paid apps. If a developer wants to choose between Android Market or iPhone App store, a developer is much more likely to find the Android platform easier to release an application.

Most of the iPhone apps, have equivalents on the Android platform. So if you choose any one of them, you will not miss having any of the top applications, as they are not a mutually exclusive set.

Apps & Features
If you make a choice between the two platforms, based on the sheer number of applications offered, then the latter has an edge. While the App Store has as many as 300,000 apps on its website right now, Android Market has just gone beyond 100,000 apps.

However, it is much more likely that Android will overtake the App Store in terms of number of applications in the near future, due to the vast developer base compared to iPhone apps developers and the less stringent screening system. Both sites have excellent search interfaces to locate apps.

A last point of consideration is the option of refund. While App Store doesn't return your money, once an iPhone application is sold, Android Market gives you a refund, if you uninstall or remove the app, within a limited time period. It is more flexible in that respect.

If you ask me, I would go for an Android phone for the sheer variety of applications that it gives me access to. Android brings in the efficiency of Linux to the mobile platform, giving it an edge over Apple gadgets that use the iOS. Android Market is a much more flexible application platform, with a high number of apps being added every day, which makes it a default choice for any user who wants variety and flexibility. Consider all the point mentioned above before you make your decision.