What type of smartphone do you have?

**-df-** · 9th December 2010, 13:08

After spending years coding away for someone else, I'm starting up my own development company writing games for the Android OS.

I have been contemplating doing development of iPhone games as well, but trying to figure out if I really want to learn a new language (already had to for Android as I'm a C++ / C# dev) as well as new hardware etc...and also investing into mac hardware (iPhone, iPad, mac pro for dev work, etc).

So please select the option that best suits you above

**-df-** · 9th December 2010, 13:17

Also, if you are planning to change from one to the other, please vote for the one you are changing to

Please make a comment on reasons if you want (more for interest than anything else).

**slofox** · 9th December 2010, 13:19

I use a dumb phone...I use it to phone people...

**Scuba_Steve** · 9th December 2010, 13:21

I'm sure you're aware of it too but I see fragmentation is starting to become an issue on Android & unlike PC's the fix isn't as simple as upgrading internal HW.
Also if your after the $$$ I would think piracy to be more a problem with the Android then with iPhone (not that it's not rampant on there) & the App Store looks to be a much better distributor than the Android Market.
But hey that's just my opinion.

**riffer** · 9th December 2010, 13:22

I have a Treo 750V, but would quite like an Android or iPhone as the 320 x 320 screen doesn't allow easy web surfing. Windows sucks just as much on a phone. Doesn't crash as often though...

**Bald Eagle** · 9th December 2010, 13:26

Originally Posted by slofox

I use a dumb phone...I use it to phone people...

Yep that's my preferred option, just want to do the talking thing. I have a mac for all the other stuff.

**-df-** · 9th December 2010, 13:30

Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve

I'm sure you're aware of it too but I see fragmentation is starting to become an issue on Android & unlike PC's the fix isn't as simple as upgrading internal HW.
Also if your after the $$$ I would think piracy to be more a problem with the Android then with iPhone (not that it's not rampant on there) & the App Store looks to be a much better distributor than the Android Market.
But hey that's just my opinion.

I don't see the fragmentation issue as a major, core components that games use are shared between the flavours of the OS...unless you mean the hardware side...that is a challenge, but just need to do testing and suggest recommended hardware for the game. Just picked up a voda 845 today for that exact reason...see if a bottom end device will run the games alright.

Android is still in its infancy...I'm hoping to get in before the market is flooded with developers.

Piracy is changing soon, the standard DRM is being dropped and moving on to a license model...which reminds me, still have to look at that before my first release next week.

But your points are exactly why I'm asking the question, and whether I should bite the bullet and do both.

**-df-** · 9th December 2010, 13:33

Originally Posted by riffer

I have a Treo 750V, but would quite like an Android or iPhone as the 320 x 320 screen doesn't allow easy web surfing. Windows sucks just as much on a phone. Doesn't crash as often though...

if you go Android, I'd have a look at the Galaxy S, best smartphone I've used in years.

**Scuba_Steve** · 9th December 2010, 13:48

Originally Posted by -df-

I don't see the fragmentation issue as a major, core components that games use are shared between the flavours of the OS...unless you mean the hardware side...that is a challenge, but just need to do testing and suggest recommended hardware for the game. Just picked up a voda 845 today for that exact reason...see if a bottom end device will run the games alright.

Android is still in its infancy...I'm hoping to get in before the market is flooded with developers.

Piracy is changing soon, the standard DRM is being dropped and moving on to a license model...which reminds me, still have to look at that before my first release next week.

But your points are exactly why I'm asking the question, and whether I should bite the bullet and do both.

yea just thought I'd point out what the likes of "angry birds" have discovered as they're now having to make a 'lite' version for the older phones despite once thinking the fragmentation wouldn't be a prob.

If I were you I'd try & put a foot in both Android's & iOS's camp. But I wouldn't bother with Windows (I don't see that gaining much ground outside of MS's fanboy following) & WebOS mite be worth looking at but not quite yet its not big enough to justify spending too much time on it.

Again just my opinion but I do semi-actively follow the latest n greatest mobile activity.

**BoristheBiter** · 9th December 2010, 13:51

Originally Posted by Bald Eagle

Yep that's my preferred option, just want to do the talking thing. I have a mac for all the other stuff.

They are the best around, you dial a number and it rings and the person you want picks it up and says hello. yep sounds like a smart phone to me.

**Pascal** · 9th December 2010, 13:51

I carry a dumb phone that is permanently on silent. I honestly hate the damn things and if it wasn't a requirement to have one for work I'd ditch it.

**firefighter** · 9th December 2010, 13:51

You completely forgot one of the biggest sellers; Nokia, ie e71, e72 etc......what a shit poll

**-df-** · 9th December 2010, 13:57

Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve

yea just thought I'd point out what the likes of "angry birds" have discovered as they're now having to make a 'lite' version for the older phones despite once thinking the fragmentation wouldn't be a prob.

If I were you I'd try & put a foot in both Android's & iOS's camp. But I wouldn't bother with Windows (I don't see that gaining much ground outside of MS's fanboy following) & WebOS mite be worth looking at but not quite yet its not big enough to justify spending too much time on it.

Again just my opinion but I do semi-actively follow the latest n greatest mobile activity.

The biggest issue I've found is the GC kicks in and makes the game stutter bigtime, spent a bit of time removing that from my game...I'm not looking forward to testing the 845 tonight...might have to start over again

Thanks for your thoughts, I'm always interested in hearing what people think about this, esp as this is going to be (hopefully) my income...If you have any other thoughts please post them up or PM me.

Btw, just out of interest what was your vote?

I've been programming windows mobile since 2001...wont be going back anywhere near it

Had a play with the Win7 Phone today...I was VERY surprised at the non-professional look of it, quite a change for MS...but I just didn't like the half cut off UI, plus the phone only has 1/2 day batt life which is crazy.

Haven't really looked into webOS yet, but will be keeping my eye on it.

**-df-** · 9th December 2010, 13:59

Originally Posted by firefighter

You completely forgot one of the biggest sellers; Nokia, ie e71, e72 etc......what a shit poll

No, if you re-read the OP, I'm basically asking if you use an Android or iPhone as those are the 2 I'm looking at developing.

Thats what the option of Palm, Windows, etc is for, people that don't have the iPhone or Android.