Just wondering if there are any here who have some experience of app development (hobbyist or pro)? I'm in the process of looking for a new phone to replace my practically prehistoric Sony Ericsson W995 and would like to have a dabble with building an app. 

 

I've had an iPod Touch for a while now and am quite used to the Apple environment, so from that point of view, it might make sense to go the Apple route, although I'm by no means tied to that. Now I don't want this to become yet another iOS vs Android thread, I'm more interested in hearing from people who've developed apps on either, or preferably both, platforms who can give a little insight into how they found the whole experience. I should add that this is purely a hobby/personal type of thing and I'm by no means looking to become a professional app write.

 

In terms of my background, I've worked in IT for years (predominantly Oracle PL/SQL of late), so I'm by no means a techno-phobe and am quite comfortable with software development concepts, OO, etc. A long time ago I did some C programming but I've never programmed in Java before. Though as Java is pretty integral to Oracle these days, it would probably be useful to learn it as it may well prove useful in the work side of things.

 

Has anyone developed in both iOS and Android? Any feelings on which was a better option for a newbie to app development?

 

I guess one of the big differences is the £££ - an iPhone itself is kinda expensive esp when compared to the likes of the Nexus 5, plus there's the $99 per year fee - and then the cost of some kind of Apple hardware on which to develop (which I don't currently have). Are there any costs associated with Android development? 

 

Any info gratefully received 

Edited 13 January, 201412 yr by slicendice

The ADK (Android Developer Kit software) is free IIRC.

I don't think you'll find it any easy to develop in one than any others.

 

You can use most programming languages across both now I believe.

 

Android - you will probably find more support online with things I'd imagine.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/freebies/free-android-app-programming-course-1792173

Thanks for the info and the link...looks like a good place to start!

 

I've also found a good site for free ebooks that contains some pretty up to date books (Java, Objective C, plus tons more) - if anyone's interested it's at http://it-ebooks.info/

I have written apps for both iOS and Android and to be honest once you get to grips with them they are both reasonably easy enough to use. Each has its own drawbacks, quirks and infuriating issues. 

I have written apps for both iOS and Android and to be honest once you get to grips with them they are both reasonably easy enough to use. Each has its own drawbacks, quirks and infuriating issues. 

 

I can well imagine! 

 

I would like to dev on iOS, but the prob with that is the extra cash I'd have to stump up in order to get Mac hardware to develop on. I guess a second hand Mac Mini off eBay would probably only be around £200-300...but it's another £200-300 I'd rather not have to splash out!

 

Hmmmm....

I tried using a "hackintosh" for a bit with my PC but had no end of issues. It was never really stable so I ended up buying a macbook pro, then you have the $99 per year to join the Apple dev program if you want to access the resources/publish to the App store. Android is a one off $25 dollars iirc.