Android’s Major Market Gains Force, Australian Banks to Change Policy
Announcement posted by SmarterApps 29 Jan 2013
Android and iOS app builder SmarterApps reveals how Android’s rise is already affecting app developers.
In December of 2012, just before the launch of their new upgraded iPhone app and third generation iPad app, Travis Tyler, who is in charge of mobile apps for St George Bank, did an interview for Financial Review. He remarked that he was privy to research indicating that Android has overtaken Apple’s iOS as the mobile operating system with the largest market share. Tyler would go on to call it a “game-changer,” and would go on to explain how it would force his company to change its long-standing policy on mobile app development.
Since the App Store opened in 2008, Apple has dominated the apps market, and their estimated number of apps sold since the store opened is 30 billion. Their iPad dominated app sales in the tablet computer market, the iPhone led the smartphone market, and the App Store had many more apps to choose from than Android.
Consequently, it was standard operating procedure for most businesses, including the banks, to develop iOS apps first, and Android apps later. In 2012, though, the market would undergo a major shift. Thanks to Samsung’s Galaxy series of phones and tablets, and Google’s Nexus 7 tablet, the Australian apps market would change.
In the first quarter of 2012, Android phones led iOS phones in percentage of sales in Australia by a total of 51.8% to 35.3%. Since there were more iOS phones and tablets already in the hands of consumers than Android, it would take a while for Android to catch up in total devices in use, but, according to Tyler, Android has, indeed, caught up to iOS.
Tyler indicated that St George Bank now considers Android and iOS to be equals in the marketplace, and will treat them equally when it is time to create new apps. Tyler also indicated that his bank would focus on apps for higher-end phones, because some lower-end phones don’t meet their standards as a platform for banking apps.
Michael Harte, who leads the mobile tech division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), intends to take a different approach. CBA intends to develop cross-platform apps, designed to work on all platforms, so as not to exclude anyone.
Craig Aitken, Owner of SmarterApps, is happy with the development: “We didn’t think Android would ever catch up with iOS, and were as surprised by their rise as anyone. Android has made more devices available to more people than Apple has, and it is showing in their results. Apple has always gone after a higher-end market, while Android has gone after the mainstream buyer.”
Aitken continued, “We are happy for Android. Most of all, we’re happy for consumers and for app developers. The competition is as healthy as it has ever been. Whenever there is competition, the public always wins. In the case of both Android and iOS app developers, the competition has resulted in both Google Play and Apple’s App Store to be more aggressive in pursuing more apps for their inventory.”
Aitken is optimistic about what the healthy competition will mean to app developers: “App developers have it a lot better now than they did two years ago. The game is on, and there will be an unprecedented demand for Android, iOS, and adaptive, cross-platform apps. The market is growing, and there is now a great opportunity for app developers to step up and fill the void.”
SmarterApps is an Android and iPhone app creation and development company. Visit their website here: http://www.smarterapps.com.au/ or call them at 1300 650 253 for more information.
Since the App Store opened in 2008, Apple has dominated the apps market, and their estimated number of apps sold since the store opened is 30 billion. Their iPad dominated app sales in the tablet computer market, the iPhone led the smartphone market, and the App Store had many more apps to choose from than Android.
Consequently, it was standard operating procedure for most businesses, including the banks, to develop iOS apps first, and Android apps later. In 2012, though, the market would undergo a major shift. Thanks to Samsung’s Galaxy series of phones and tablets, and Google’s Nexus 7 tablet, the Australian apps market would change.
In the first quarter of 2012, Android phones led iOS phones in percentage of sales in Australia by a total of 51.8% to 35.3%. Since there were more iOS phones and tablets already in the hands of consumers than Android, it would take a while for Android to catch up in total devices in use, but, according to Tyler, Android has, indeed, caught up to iOS.
Tyler indicated that St George Bank now considers Android and iOS to be equals in the marketplace, and will treat them equally when it is time to create new apps. Tyler also indicated that his bank would focus on apps for higher-end phones, because some lower-end phones don’t meet their standards as a platform for banking apps.
Michael Harte, who leads the mobile tech division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), intends to take a different approach. CBA intends to develop cross-platform apps, designed to work on all platforms, so as not to exclude anyone.
Craig Aitken, Owner of SmarterApps, is happy with the development: “We didn’t think Android would ever catch up with iOS, and were as surprised by their rise as anyone. Android has made more devices available to more people than Apple has, and it is showing in their results. Apple has always gone after a higher-end market, while Android has gone after the mainstream buyer.”
Aitken continued, “We are happy for Android. Most of all, we’re happy for consumers and for app developers. The competition is as healthy as it has ever been. Whenever there is competition, the public always wins. In the case of both Android and iOS app developers, the competition has resulted in both Google Play and Apple’s App Store to be more aggressive in pursuing more apps for their inventory.”
Aitken is optimistic about what the healthy competition will mean to app developers: “App developers have it a lot better now than they did two years ago. The game is on, and there will be an unprecedented demand for Android, iOS, and adaptive, cross-platform apps. The market is growing, and there is now a great opportunity for app developers to step up and fill the void.”
SmarterApps is an Android and iPhone app creation and development company. Visit their website here: http://www.smarterapps.com.au/ or call them at 1300 650 253 for more information.