Personally, Android's ecosystem has never been compelling because of Google. Even barring their unrelenting focus on gobbling more of your data, they can't even keep their services on. Their graveyard is massive.

How many times has their default messages app changed? It's nuts. Being an Android developer seems like an exercise in frustration. I'm sure it happens on iOS to some degree but I've seen people online brag about never buying an Android app; piracy is rampant.

We desperately need a third option.

> Personally, Android's ecosystem has never been compelling because of Google. Even barring their unrelenting focus on gobbling more of your data, they can't even keep their services on. Their graveyard is massive.

Who cares? If you're developing for Android, you don't need to care about Google killing off Stadia.

> How many times has their default messages app changed? It's nuts. Being an Android developer seems like an exercise in frustration.

Again, who cares? I'm using the same messaging apps that I was using 10 years ago.

And it's not like Apple is any better. It has standardized on iMessage, but you can't do anything with it as a developer. It might as well not exist for you.

> It has standardized on iMessage, but you can't do anything with it as a developer. It might as well not exist for you.

Hey now, there are dozens of developers making apps for iMessage. Dozens!!

All kidding aside, there is actually quite some stuff you can do with iMessage, but other than the occasional runaway hit like Game Pigeon, not many devs are interested in pouring resources into it.

> Again, who cares? I'm using the same messaging apps that I was using 10 years ago.

One of my best friends who was using Allo. Or Duo. Or Hangouts. Or Meet. Or whatever. He really loved one of those apps and it got removed/changed/or something.

My point was that as a developer, I'd want to ensure users like the platform they're on enough to buy my app. This same friend? He moved to some launcher and just uses Discord and Element now. As I understand it, using a launcher prevents you from using the Google Play Store, so you're not buying apps.

EDIT: See also: https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/21/22538240/google-chat-allo...

> He moved to some launcher [...]. As I understand it, using a launcher prevents you from using the Google Play Store, so you're not buying apps.

I'm going to chalk it up to you not knowing about Android, but swapping launchers is basically changing your home menu, it doesn't affect Play Store access and you'll likely need it to buy the Pro version of certain launchers, the most common one being Nova Launcher Prime[0]. And if he did something more drastic, like changing to custom ROMs (akin to OS images), then Play Store access is up to him.

And honestly, I don't think Google free apps and services coming and going will impact app ownership numbers. Android being more popular in low income, developing countries (with big population numbers) will have a bigger impact overall.

[0] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoils...

> My point was that as a developer, I'd want to ensure users like the platform they're on enough to buy my app.

Android is the number 1 platform in the world. Except in the US, where Apple is manipulating teens using "blue bubbles".

> Apple is manipulating teens using "blue bubbles"

LOL WOW

It's not really any more funny than suggesting that Meta and Microsoft manipulate teenagers with dark patterns. But with Apple it's different, so I guess we won't be ready for that discussion until next time.