Android App - S&T SkyWeek coming

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Based on S&T SkyWeek for iOS - and the underlying engine being provided by SouthernStars (SkySafari), the Android version is hitting imminently.

S&T SkyWeek for Android will be released under Sky & Telescope’s account on the Android Marketplace. Stay tuned to www.skyandtelescope.com for further details.

[AstroJunk (Jonathan)]

Is it any good?

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

I don't have Android, so I couldn't tell you if it was any different to the iOS version. As an iOS app, it's pretty basic, given the sheer number of iOS astronomy apps. Given the shortage of Android equivalents, it's probably pretty good.

[AstroJunk (Jonathan)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Given the shortage of Android equivalents, it's probably pretty good.

Spoken like a true fanboi. Made my day

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

I thought that we agreed knock off the jibes in here - it's a condition under which Mike agreed to provide this forum. I gave some heads-up advice for Android users and didn't expect to be derided for it. Fanboi? Whatever you reckon.

One day, astro-relevant app numbers will catch up for Android - I've no doubt of that. How good they'll be is anyone's guess. My company, as a software development company operating within the newspaper and magazine publishing market, will not be looking at developing anything for Android until they have sorted out the mess. It may be a reason why there are four times the number of iOS developers currently registered over their Android counterparts. Comparatively few operate in both arenas simultaneously. Phone sales may have caught up, but not the sheer number of apps or the app development pipeline.

Good example: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/1312...-store-ama.htm

This proliferation has caused developers to call Android a mess compared to Apple's unified iOS experience for developers and users.[/url]

A major grouse among developers is also the fragmentation of apps distribution via Android Market. Recently, Amazon announced the opening of its Appstore for Android apps. Similarly, carriers like Verizon run their own Android apps store. This poses problems for developers as they have to list their apps in various apps stores. Also developers complain that Android market does not offer significant visibility to apps and there are many junk apps in Android market.

For end users using multiple UIs means there is no agreed standard, thus, making migration to other Android devices complex. Also users of older versions of Android like Android 1.6 have limited choice of apps as developers focus their attention on newer Android releases. The choice with users is to buy a new device rather than merely get a software update.

I'm not flaming Android - it is great for what it is - a near-free open source environment that suits many, many people. Hopefully you guys will get a fair share of developers who give a toss about astronomy - creating apps that are as good as those on iOS for you one day soon.

[AstroJunk (Jonathan)]

It's the assertation that It's good for an Android because we poor droid users have so little to play with and therefore our our expectations are accordingly low. C'mon, you got to admit thats funny!