The seemingly never-ending battle between iOS and Android fans is one that’s sparked countless forum debates over the last few years. While the mainstream still tends to favour the former, it seems that experts are tipping the latter in 2015.
While many iOS fans have often held up the Apple Store as a marker of the platform’s supremacy, the arguments against Android’s app store seem to be fading by the day. In fact, with a slew of planned improvements for the coming months, including the 5.0 Lollipop upgrade, tech experts believe Android can assume control of the mobile gaming market in 2015.
The Reasons Android Gamers Win
Opinions will naturally be divided over the relative quality of each platform’s app store. But one of the reasons touted for Android’s superiority, especially when it comes to various forms of gaming such as real money gambling with sites like 32Red Online Casino, 888 Casino, Grosvenor and others, along with console style, is its listing policy. Apple is famously guarded when it comes to authorising apps for its store; whereas Google Play is less so. In fact, for so-called “fringe developers”, Google Play has been a lot more accommodating over the past few years.
One example of this culture in action is the console gaming world’s cousin, the gambling world. Over the three years the world’s leading online casino and poker operators have borrowed a number of traits from the gaming world in order to develop mobile apps. However, unlike the majority of gaming creations, poker apps have had a tough time getting listed in either store.
Although many of the problems have been related to legal issues regarding the status of online real money gaming (for the record, it is legal in Europe), Apple has still maintained a cautious approach to the industry.
In contrast, Google has been a lot more accommodating to real money gaming developers. According to a 2013 report by Gambling Compliance, although Google Play is still cautious with regards to real money gambling, it does give developers the ability to host Android apps outside of the store.
Greater Developmental Freedom
This freedom has allowed operators in the real money gaming space to enter the Android market and become leading examples of the genre. Moreover, although attitudes towards real money gaming have changed slightly for both stores since the report was published, Apple is still a lot more prone to removing apps without warning as has been seen a number of times over the last few years.
For game developers, this difference in freedom is also something that gives Android the edge. By not having to steer away from potentially contentious topics, Android engineers can continue to push the boundaries when it comes to the next generation of games. While this doesn’t mean they have permit to offend or insult, it does mean their creativity isn’t as stifled and this is something that leads to the creation of a more diverse app ecosystem.
Expansion into New Genres
Away from the freedom of Google Play’s open-source, open-door policy, Android’s willingness to expand beyond the mobile market could also give it an edge. Earlier this year Razor unveiled its Forge TV which aims to bring an Android gaming hub to people’s living rooms.
Measuring 4X4 inches, the new device will cost just $100 and give its owners access to PC style gaming, Android gaming and Android-based entertainment service via Google Play. Slated for release in Q1, the console will signal a new direction for the Android industry and give it yet another gaming edge over its iOS rival.
In terms of its technical spec, Forge TV will boast quad-core processing, high-quality graphics (Adreno 420 GPU), 16 GB of internal storage and 2GB of RAM. Not only will this spec allow Android gaming fans to enjoy an enhanced playing experience, but it will give developers a lot more scope to indulge their creativity.
Freedom is the Key to Success
In essence, it’s the freedom for development that seems to be winning the war for Android. Away from user bias, financial projections and platform upgrades, developers focusing on the Android market appear to have more options to express their creativity. As has been shown by Apple’s indefinable and seemingly bullish approach to removing apps from its store (such as those in the real money gaming sector), it’s very much a case of “toe the line” or step away from it.
In contrast, when it comes to Google, the line is not only more defined, but a lot thicker and this means developers have less chance of crossing it. The difference between the two platforms is undeniable. By creating a culture of ‘inclusivity’ rather than exclusivity, Android has made itself a much more appealing proposition for developers and gamers alike.
Although every product might not hit the mark, the freedom afforded to those that want to find it is invaluable. Whether that’s a real money gaming company, a hardcore game developer or an amateur engineer, Android is open to all and that’s the reason many experts are tipping the medium for big things in 2015.
