The so-called 'app-gap' and how the Apple Watch is getting away with it?

[Stiv X]

Thanks, Reaper, but Apple also has to approve and certify each app and update, too. Yet, developers don't mind. It seems as though making an app for iOS and Android is low risk, potential for high reward, but Windows apps are considered a waste of time. What I don't understand is why a waste of time concept u nless you are a one person shop writing apps in your spare time.

If I was a developer, I would make apps for any and everything I could to maximize profit and hire people to help if necessary and successful enough to do so. Developers can be companies that make apps (Rovio, Zynga, Gameloft, etc.), after all. I don't understand why they wouldn't take more risk. So much to gain, so little to lose.

 

[MarkusDindu]

Developers build apps for the devices they love, and many of them love and use Apple products. Also, they want to get in on the ground floor of anything that Apple makes. Those folk who made apps for the first iPhones made a killing back then, and they see this watch as another golden opportunity.

 

[mj0]

I think a big part of it is profitability. In regards to Windows Phone Microsoft's stronghold are third world and developing countries, and users in these countries are less likely to spend any significant amount of money on additional applications. Apple users are known to be spend more on apps, I remember a study a couple of years ago where several app developers confirmed that even though the total number of iOS downloads of their app was far below the Android counterpart they were still making more money in total on iOS than Android (both in terms of free vs. non-free app and in-app purchases). Some developers that used to develop for both, iOS and Android, have even abandoned Android since its by far not as profitable as iOS.

That's what it all comes down to: money. Hence, the obvious answer to the question asked: the Apple Watch is not going to get away with anything because there isn't anything to get away with. Apple users willing to spend money on the Apple Watch will also be willing to spend money on additional applications, or on iPhone apps that combined with an Apple Watch will offer this or that functionality. That's the bottom line.

That said being an iPhone user I've been watching the Apple Watch closely but have decided against it for now. Maybe in a couple of years after the first few iterations have been out and about.