| There has been a lot of discussion lately about the | | | | screened by Apple, it is still buyer beware. You need |
| differences between Apple's iPhone and phones | | | | to make sure an application will meet your needs |
| based on Google's Android. While these discussions | | | | before you purchase it. |
| typically center on hardware, usability and the | | | | Developer Initiation Fee. Another notable feature that |
| operating system, they rarely discuss the differences | | | | distinguishes the two stores is how much it costs a |
| between the Android Market vs. the Apple App | | | | developer to join. Android Market charges a fee of |
| Store. There are a number of differences between | | | | $25 to sign up as a developer. This fee then allows |
| the two, some of which primarily matter to | | | | you to publish your apps in the market. The Apple |
| end-users and others that matter primarily to | | | | App Store charges $99 to become a developer. |
| developers. | | | | Keep in mind that paying this fee does not mean |
| Open vs. Closed System. The single biggest | | | | your application will get added to the app store. |
| difference between the Android Market and the | | | | Apple reviews all applications for acceptance so |
| Apple App Store is the difference between an open | | | | paying the fee does not guarantee that your app will |
| and a closed system. Apple's system is a closed one. | | | | be published. Both markets charge 30% of any paid |
| Applications must be submitted to Apple for review | | | | application sales. Apple keeps this 30% while Google |
| and Apple ultimately decides what may or may not | | | | pays the 30% to the wireless carriers. This may |
| be sold in the Apple App Store. In contrast, Android | | | | result in greater cooperation from and adoption by |
| Market is an open system. Developers can directly | | | | wireless carriers for Android. |
| publish their applications to the market without having | | | | Competition. For a developer trying to get a new |
| them filtered through a central authority. This means | | | | application noticed, there is less competition in |
| that the Android Market is likely to have a greater | | | | Android Market. Currently Android Market hosts |
| variety of applications and content but end-users | | | | about 20,000 applications while the Apple app store |
| have to accept that the applications are not being | | | | has over 100,000 applications. There is a lot more |
| screened. There is a definite trade off. The Android | | | | room for new and innovative applications in the |
| Market does support a community rating and | | | | Android market. |
| comments section, however, which helps buffer | | | | There are a number of differences between the |
| against poorly designed or malicious applications. | | | | Android market vs. the Apple app store. Some of |
| Refunds. Another big difference between Android | | | | these differences matter more to developers and |
| Market and the Apple App Store deals with paid | | | | others to end-users. Being an open system and |
| applications. The former allows an end-user to obtain | | | | offering refunds to end-users makes the Android |
| a refund by uninstalling the application within 24 hours | | | | market a great asset for end-users. The openness |
| of purchase. This makes it much safer as an end-user | | | | ensures a greater variety of offerings and the ability |
| to purchase an application. If you buy an app that | | | | to get a refund makes trying a paid application a |
| does not work properly or does not seem to meet | | | | low-risk venture. For developers, Android offers a |
| your need, uninstall it within 24 hours and you get a | | | | lower cost to get started and an arena with much |
| full refund. The Apple App Store does not offer | | | | less competition in which to make your application |
| refunds on applications, so while the applications are | | | | stand out. |