Why doesn't The Guardian write about more Android apps?

Here's an interesting post in The Guardian's App Blog about why they review so many more apps for iOS than they do for Android.

Marketing Report from Android Marketplace

Here are some findings from a recent marketing report on the Android Marketplace:

• Android 
Market 
developers 
publish
 most 
apps 
on 
average
(4.38
 active 
apps 
per 
active 
publisher).


• 37% 
of 
apps 
have 
been 
deactivated 
since 
launch 
of 
the 
store,
 leaving
 nearly 
320,000 
apps 
available 
for 
download 
for 
users 
of
 Android 
Market.
 

• In 
September 
2011, 
Android 
Market 
added 
a 
record‐breaking
 42,000 
new 
apps.

• At 
the 
end 
of 
September, 
34% 
of 
active 
apps 
were 
paid, 
however,
 this 
month
 that 
figure 
is 
only
 26%, 
which 
shows 
that 
developers
 are 
developing 
more 
free 
content 
than 
before.


 

• Average 
selling 
price 
in 
Android 
currently 
equals 
$3.18.
 

• Nearly 
50% 
of 
newly
 added
 content 
falls 
into 
four 
top 
categories:
 Games, 
Entertainment, 
Personalization 
and 
Music 
& 
Audio.


The number of content in the games, entertainment, personalization and music & audio categories simply makes me think that one of the most important things that apps can bring to consumers is ways to make their phone very personal to them - the phone is both a diversion and a form of expression.

Success with Android

There was a webinar today on successfully marketing Android apps in the Android Marketplace, and here are some of the highlights:

• Put your best text above the fold (before where people have the option to click for more info) in the marketplace, especially if you have any review snippets
• Include screen shots with text if not localized
• Put the information on "what's new" at the top of your description for existing users
• Your promo graphic should tell users what the app does
• Icons are very important when shoppers are comparing competition
• Ratings - ask users to rate app after they have used it, take them to rating page from inside app

• Bloggers love video (video will be part of press release)
• Google wants tablet apps
• Include a link to feedback alternative (perhaps link to facebook)

Meet the Android Millionaires

Electric Pig posted a good article with some tips on how to succeed as a developer of Android apps.

1. Make it great


It might sound simple, but quality really matters in the Android market. A dearth of second-rate apps means the great ones really stand out. Android owners will give everything from simple games to handy utilities and even swift iOS ports the time of day, so long as they’re worth the asking price. Make it great, price it sensibly and you’ll see there are greater opportunities for cut-through than in other mobile markets.



2. Sell it in the Android Market

Many Android developers still hawk their wares outside Google’s official Android Market, but that’s a mistake. Recent security scares, and an enormous pace of growth mean the Android Market’s being seen as the only trusted destination. Improvements by Google that let users discover apps more easily will help you out too, and it’s no longer a race to the bottom. Price your app sensibly, and as long as it conforms to point 1 above, you’ll be on the right track.



3. Don’t be cynical

Being motivated by profit isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just don’t try to cash in too obviously. There are already several I Am Rich apps on the Android Market going for anywhere between $99 and $199, none of which appear to have sold any at all. Don’t be that guy, create something worthwhile and have faith in your customers. If you build it, they will come… and pay.



4. Invest in Android now

“Android was always an afterthought,” Will Moore tells us. “The business world wanted iOS; Once an app had been made for iOS, we often made it work for Android too, but it wasn’t the starting point for any project.” As these high achievers indicate however, that’s about to change forever. “Sadly, Android is still seen as the domain of geeks, but I don’t think it will be long before this changes. With Android appearing in everything from fridges to cars, as well as mobiles, the world will be using Android without even knowing it…Android is on the tipping point of big brand adoption.”