I intentionally designed geom-e-tree so that it would have the same User Interface whether on phone or pad, so I wouldn't need two apps, or have to do ear spins inside the app depending on what kind of device I'm running on, and so on. Very little of my coding has to do with those differences. Geom-e-Tree is a "Universal" app -- runs on ipad and iphone, etc.. and it will run on future iPads, etc.
I get asked this a lot, immediately from Android users - "When are you coming out with an Android version?"
Unfortunately, the two platforms are programmed in different languages and have different runtime systems. The problem for me would be spending the time to learn the Android environment. I am not already proficient in the Java programming language, although I do drink a lot of coffee. Here is an article from yesterday that just happens to be about going from Apple to Android..
An iOS Developer Takes on Android
Not that it wouldn't be a good thing to learn. But at 61.9 years, I have less time to spend learning yet another new thing. It would take so long I'd starve before getting any return on it. I about went insane learning Apple's Objective-C! Continuing, supposedly, once I knew both systems, somehow I'd manage to spend time on Android and and work on my next iOS version for the iPad!? ... And to maintain Geom-e-Tree on both platforms? Maybe if there were two or three of me. Not an inherently bad idea, just not practical.
Oh, hey, then there is the HP TouchPad (WebOS)... that would be a good idea. I'll have time to get to that before Microsoft comes out with their tablet, the "Zing!" and then I can take on the Blackberry PlayBook, which uses the cleverly named Blackberry Tablet OS, whatever that is.
Oh, hey, then there is the HP TouchPad (WebOS)... that would be a good idea. I'll have time to get to that before Microsoft comes out with their tablet, the "Zing!" and then I can take on the Blackberry PlayBook, which uses the cleverly named Blackberry Tablet OS, whatever that is.
I'm not even making $$ in Apple's app store with Tree yet, if ever. I have given away a fair number of Twee, the kids' version. Even though I'm willing to give away an infinite number of Twee's, fewer than 20,000 have picked it up. More on the marketing of Tree in a future post.
On Android, I don't think millions of people would pick up Tree or Twee on Android anymore than on Apple -- even if the apps were Free in the Android marketplace. Perhaps if the apps were free, there would be lots of copies... but then that wouldn't help me out! I don't want ads in any app of mine. Also, it seems like 99% of Android users want apps for free - that's what that's about. You can find any number of articles that show how there are very few non-free android apps that move a lot of units. For example, the "Alchemy" app on Android has 6-10 million Lite version (free) out there, but the Premium version ($3.95, no ads) has sold only 5-10,000 copies. That's not enough to live on. The guy over-priced it. I don't know what kind of revenue they get from ads. People have to click through them in order for the developer to get a micro-payment. I can't imagine that amounting to much. I'd hate to be dependent on that.
As much I would like to support the quasi-open source android platform, I've become skeptical because I have to make money to pay bills. If I make money from Apple, I might feel more generous. But why should proceeds from an Apple app subsidize an Android version? Well perhaps to bootstrap it into its own product lifecycle, perhaps re-pay for itself. I can't pay ~$5-8,000 to someone to port Geom-e-Tree to Android. No investor would drop money on Geom-e-Tree-to-Android, IMHO, don't want that anyhow. You: Got Cash?
Tablets
While there are a lot of Android devices out there (all kinds of hardware and variations) there are relatively few Android Tablets in people's hands at this time. Don't let the "sales" figures in news articles fool you. There's a lot of product sitting on the shelf. Samsung or one of the makers just went silent about their sales. Once they get shelves filled, orders drop off. Manufacturers want in on the iPad rush of course, but Apple is way ahead.
Also, Geom-e-Tree was mainly intended for the iPad's large display. I figured if a person also had one of the smaller display devices, Tree would work on it as well, but I didn't intend Tree to be iPhone-size only.
Also, Geom-e-Tree was mainly intended for the iPad's large display. I figured if a person also had one of the smaller display devices, Tree would work on it as well, but I didn't intend Tree to be iPhone-size only.
Here's another one for you, Apples vs oranges.
To be brief, I should learn Java and how to port Geom-e-Tree to Android. May I live long enough to do that! To be honest, I already have the domain name registered for the Android app. Right now, I'm focusing on iOS, and marketing. In the meantime, maybe the Android Tablet base (and market) will be worth it.
John Miller
iOS Developer
