Android™ Medical Applications- Is it the future?

What should a developer thinking of venturing into mobile development go for? Android or Iphone? Both are interesting choice of platforms and decision i think would depend on the individual. I have been thinking of venturing into mobile development for past couple of months(infact since mid last year). Since i got busy with my day job  last year, i could spend time about choice of platform. Now i have little breathing time, so i would like to make a choice of platform. Below is my version of comparison between Android and Iphone. Please note these are my views and not everyone will agree to it.

1) Maturity of Platform
Android: Android is still in initial stages comparatively, current stable version is 1.1. I am looking forward to version 1.5 (Cupcake version).
Iphone: Iphone is comparatively more mature, current stable version is 2.0, version 3.0 will be released soon.

Winner: Iphone.

2) Vendor Support
Android: Android is part of OHA(Open Handset Alliance), so it enjoys support of various mobile operators, handset manufacturers,semi-conductor companies, software companies and many more …. For more details on Open Handset Alliance, please visit http://www.openhandsetalliance.com
Iphone: Iphone is Apple’s baby and will always be in full control of Apple.

Winner: Android

3) Development Support:
A) Developer Registration:
Android: To register as developer for Android , you will need to register at Android Market Place (http://market.android.com/publish) . The registration fee is USD 25.
Iphone: To register as developer for Iphone there are two programs: a) Standard Program(USD 99) b) Enterprise Program(USD 299)

Winner: Android (I would prefer to invest as little as possible initially)

B) Developer Environment:
Android: Android can be developed on any OS as long you have Eclipse installed (if you prefer Eclipse as dev UI). The coding language is Java.
Iphone: To develop for Iphone, Mac OS is required. The coding language is Objective-C, which is primarly used by Apple developers.

Winner: Android ( I have java development experience and i don’t want to spend on buying another machine for Mac OS)

c) Deployment Options:
Android: Currently, Android can be deployed only on mobile platforms, but in future it won’t be limited to mobile platforms only. Recently, there have been articles where Android would be ported to tablet PC ( for more details refer to  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/technology/companies/06android.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss ), also HP Netbook, Dell MID and more.(for more details refer to http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123852934905974845.html)
Iphone:  Iphone will be limited to mobile platform only.( as of today..)

Winner : Android (More market penentration with range of device support not limited to Android)

d) Device Availability:
Android: A developer phone which is sim unlocked  and hardware unlocked is available at decent price(USD 399) . Any SIM can be used and any custom Android build can be used with unlocked bootloader. For more details on Android Dev Phone 1 refer to http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/device.html .
Iphone: Iphone has to be bought from AT&T along with their monthly data plan. Unlocked (SIM unlocked )Iphone can be bought from AT&T at crazy price.Currently, it is almost double the price of Android Dev Phone 1. Even after spending the money, it is hardware locked.

Winner: Android ( I don’t want to change my current provider which gives me amazing rate for unlimited data, unlimited SMS etc. Also, i would prefer SIM unlocked and hardware unlocked phone rather than just SIM unlocked phone.)

 

After all these comparisons, i have decided to go for Android Platform. I have registered on Android market and ordered Android Dev phone 1. Looking forward to it………………..