Skyhook Wireless Report Reveals Developers Struggling to Profit from Android Apps
Written by Skyhook Wireless
Wednesday, 02 December 2009
Most are frustrated with today's Android Market
BOSTON, MA- December 1, 2009- Skyhook Wireless, operator of the world's most advanced location system, today released a survey report detailing Android developers' general dissatisfaction with the platform. Developers are frustrated with low download volumes, poor marketplace design and discovery options, and lack of an effective consumer billing system. These factors make it difficult for developers to generate revenue.
82% of those surveyed indicated that the design of the Android Marketplace makes it difficult for apps to be noticed; 57% of Android developers are not satisfied with the profits to date. Google Checkout is a major concern for developers, 43% report that they would sell more apps if Android used a carrier billing or another simpler billing system; and only 10% of Android developers are currently serving ads.
In anticipation of many new Android devices entering the market, fragmentation of the market is a concern. 46% of developers were certain that different versions of Android would make development more difficult.
"Rather than creating opportunity, platform divergence has just created further problems; we simply can't afford to test across all Android phones," said James Grafton, developer of Android apps like Pic Swap and Get Me Home. "Because of these issues, we decided to take a step back from Android and reconsider our efforts."
"Today, developers are frustrated with their inability to profit from the Android platform," said Kate Imbach, vice president of marketing at Skyhook Wireless. "This report shows that although Android developers are excited about the future of Android, the platform may face significant challenges if it does not soon improve monetization options and take steps to protect against the risk of fragmentation."
Founded in 2003, Skyhook Wireless has pioneered the development of the first hybrid positioning system to fully leverage Wi-Fi, GPS and cell towers delivering precise location data supporting the growing market for location-based services. Skyhook's hybrid positioning system XPS requires no new hardware, works indoors and outdoors, provides an instant location and is more accurate than current technologies in congested downtown areas. Skyhook Wireless is headquartered in Boston, MA, and is privately held. Investors include RRE Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, Intel Capital and CommonAngels. For more information visit www.skyhookwireless.com, send email to or call 617-314-9802.
Do you have a location-aware application, social location service or other location-sensitive service that you'd like to share with us? Please browse this growing directory of Social location Services and feel free to leave a link to your favorite service! See the Directory HERE
Nokia Dev Summit - Join us in San Francisco, a center of mobile application development,
for two days packed with technical and business sessions, hands-on
coding labs, demos, and networking opportunities. San Fran June 9-10, 2010
SocialTech 2010 - SocialTech
2010 brings together the visionaries and experts who are using the
power of social media to transform the way that B2B technology
companies market their products and services. March 25, 2010, San Jose,
CA
The NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony
will be held during Ignite at O'Reilly Where 2.0. Be among the first to
hear as NAVTEQ announces the winners for the North America region.
Participants will be competing for a global prize pool of $10 million
and growing by showcasing pre-commercial location-enabled apps using
NAVTEQ map data & products. March 30, 2010, during Ignite Where,
7:30pm - 9:00pm, at the Marriott San Jose, CA
WHERE2.0 2010
- Now in its sixth year, the Where 2.0 Conference is where the
grassroots and leading edge developers building location-aware
technology intersect with the businesses and entrepreneurs seeking out
location apps, platforms, and hardware to gain a competitive edge. For
15% use Discount Code: whr10lbs
