Advantages of Using an Android Operating System for Your App
When you’re building an app, you have a choice when it comes to operating systems—iOS or Android. In this post, we’re going to explain why Android should be your first choice.
Android has one of the largest number of apps when compared to its competition, but that’s just the start of the advantages you’ll get if you choose one of the most popular operating systems. Namely, Android offers its users a mobile operating system that is completely open source, and simple to use. The platform itself was built on Linux but took a while to take off. The first phone to use the system was launched in 2008, but the system didn’t start gaining real traction until 2011—and it’s been dominating the market ever since.
According to Statista, the market share for Android-based phones increased from 3.9% in 2009 to 85.9% in 2017.
As the system improved and grew more popular, it quickly eclipsed other players in the market. If you’d like to find out more about Android and its history, the infographic posted below has tons of great info.
For now, let’s take a look at how it’s become the leading operating system.
Low Initial Costs and a Great Return on Investment
You can pick up a Software Development kit from Android for free, which gives you the ability to develop software on a tight budget. Because you’re not paying licensing costs, you can focus on app development instead.
So, if your app never makes it past the testing phase, you have one less thing to worry about. In addition, if your app is a success, there won’t be recurring licensing fees to worry about.
It’s Open Source
Another great thing about the Android system is that it’s open-source. This means that not only can you use it for free, but you can make any changes you’d like. There is also a strong community of supporters so you can draw on their experience for assistance.
Integration is Simple
Maybe you’re not building an app from scratch, but instead, trying to improve an old favorite. That’s fine as well. You can integrate your new features easily within the old app, or use the platform to tweak the existing features. Android offers the best platform for tweaking applications.
Several Sales Channels
If you were to choose iOS, you only have two options—you can sell it or give it away in the Apple Store, but what if you want more options? With Android, you can use Google as a third-party distributor, but it’s not your only option. If you want to link your app into your website or develop your own app store, you can do so if you use Android.
Java Scripting
Android uses Java scripting to build programs. Therefore, if you want to build an app with this platform, you need a basic understanding of Java. This is a big bonus, as users can easily adapt and script the code that they need, and use it for their mobile app.
Final Notes
All in all, Android offers a simple interface, and a far more cost-effective solution to iOS when it comes to building apps. As long as you take the time to create a quality app and you market it correctly, you’re almost guaranteed to be successful.
