3 Market Considerations for Launching an Android Mobile App

When a business launches a mobile application project, it must decide how available development platforms will help it achieve its goals. What is their target market? What kind of application have they conceived and what kinds of devices will it need to satisfy in order to be accessible, and perform the way the business needs it to perform so that the business will succeed. In this article, we provide three market considerations that may help the business decide whether the Android development environment is right for your business needs.

‘For businesses thinking about a mobile application development environment, Android has a loyal customer base and one that has grown larger over the past decade.’

Here are three market considerations for launching an Android Mobile Application:

Market Share –According to Quartz, IDC, Android devices represented 87% of the user base in 2020. This is impressive, given the fact that in 2010 Android represented less than 5% of the market share. Today, Android popularity is growing in the U.S., in Japan, India and in Europe. Computerworld reports that the Android platform is more popular than even the Windows environment and that is saying something. If a business wants to ensure success, it must consider the best, most likely solution to achieve its goals. With a large percentage of tablet and smart phone users working with Android devices, a mobile application developed in the Android environment would ensure that the business could provide open access and opportunity for user adoption in markets around the world.

Loyal Customers –Surveys reveal that 63% of those 18-24, 75% of those aged and those aged 45-64 and 58% of those 65 and older use Android devices. When it comes to income, the statistics are about the same (ranging 28%-31%(for those earning less than $30,000 through and including those earning $75,000 and over). The average number of apps on an Android user’s phone is 35. When one considers all of those factors, it is clear that Android covers a broad spectrum of users when considering age range and income. For businesses thinking about a mobile application development environment, Android has a loyal customer base and one that has grown larger over the past decade. According to Google Play, Android applications are experiencing more downloads and purchases in poor, less developed countries. So, if your customer base is looking for applications at a lower price, Android will support that need. Android devices are available in many price ranges so users do not have to contend with a price barrier.

Development Potential–Developers and businesses have recognized the potential of Android mobile apps and today there are more than 3 million apps available in the Google Play Store. Android allows development using NativeScript, React Native, Ionic, Xamarin, Kotlin and Flutter. The Software Development Kit (SDK) provides libraries for building apps, for debugging and compiling etc. Jetpack Compose offers a suite of tools to create an interface and improve developer productivity. There are other tools like Android Studio and IDEs. As an open-source system Android is based on a Linux kernel and designed to support touchscreen mobile devices. This mobile operating system is supported by a developer community sponsored by its creator, Google.

While every business and IT consultant must carefully choose a development environment based on business and customer needs, Android presents a viable market option for developing a mobile application for business or consumer use. Many businesses will choose to incorporate a cross-platform development approach to satisfy the need to accommodate Android OS and Apple iOS. This is, of course, a project-based decision. But, it is important to understand the benefits of Android and its market presence and competitive position.

‘What kind of application…has the business…conceived and what kinds of devices will it need to satisfy in order to be accessible, and perform the way the business needs it to perform so that the business will succeed.’