I'm on the fence.
Some years back I was a palm coder who saw the death coming. I didn't jump ship right off, but I spent significant time learning to code for Wince. When palm died (I was sad) I slipped right into a new role as the CE guy. Then some time later I moved to a new gig and I'm one of many CE guys.
Not that I see this company moving away from CE for some time, but I'm starting to think ahead and I'm just wondering what direction others have taken.
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If you're looking five years out, I would put my money on the iPhone and Android as being the dominant platforms (as far as app developers are concerned anyway).
I'm sure symbian and crackberry will still be around five years from now but they really don't offer the same growth potential as the former two (and they definitely aren't as sexy or fun).
Chris Pebble
2009-12-03 02:36:31
Is iPhone development available under windows yet or are you restricted to Mac or java or web apps under iPhone? if so android might be a safer long term bet as competition with iPhone stiffens up.
Matt H
2009-12-03 04:07:40
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iPhone. It's more popular...and I doubt that's going to change much for a while.
Andrew
2009-12-03 02:39:34
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I would bet for maemo. iPhone is the present but I don't think it's the future (or the undisputed future) in just two years from now. Android may get good, but still have some more work to do.
machielo
2009-12-03 02:40:15
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I'd go for the Android platform. Why? Because you can work on it with a multitude of languages and are not restricted to Apples process and rules (You can upload to the Android market, but you can freely distribute your app as well, no jail breaking required)
You can use Java, but you can also use Scala and I've been reading some hints that languages like Clojure might be able to be used to write on the platform as well.
Bartek
2009-12-03 02:42:08
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Depends what sort of stuff you do, really.
To be honest I think there will be significant constant changes in the phone market, so you'll probably want to focus on "shorter" projects; You can put something out for the iPhone without too much trouble, Android will be popular but you need to wonder if there will be much money in it; it'll certainly be an area for people to do a lot of talking, and maybe some initial money, but a lot? Who knows; it'll take time anyway.
Depends really; I tend to do what I find fun and interesting and it works out; but in your world things move a bit faster, so if I were you, I would just look into shorter things, and have a crack at most of them (given time). For example, write a similar product on each, if possible. And then note the differences, and so on.
Noon Silk
2009-12-03 02:43:07
The problem with doing it for both, is that one is Objective C and one is Java (for the most part). Java would be a short commute as I've done j2me work a few times. But is that the platform to go with? This is more conversational than anything.
baash05
2009-12-03 03:47:21
I think learning new language may be good experience and terning. Bigger problem with iPhone form me would be that I had to use OS X.
Maciek Sawicki
2009-12-03 04:10:31
baash: This is not a good place for conversations; it *is* a good spot for broad far-reaching general statements, like that one I have provided :) For a more friendly discussion try some real-life programmers in your area :) Perhaps a mobile user-group. I can only say that the above approach described would be what I would do (to a reasonable degree).
Noon Silk
2009-12-03 04:13:06
aH Ha.. see by responding silky (mu ha ha) you have fallen in my trap of a conversation. I'm a new dad in a strange city, and I figured this would be just the pace I'd want in a conversation. Besides there's a bigger geek population here than anywhere else I could think of.
baash05
2009-12-03 04:24:21
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It depends. I think "classic hand helds" will die soon. So it time to switch to smart phones. There is a lot of options.
For games and tools for everyday use I would choose iPhone, for business apps Android or Blackberry or even Windows Mobile (it's still popular on medical application market).
It's also important to not to miss new features of smart phones (geolocation, accelerometers, multitouch, etc). They are available on every modern platform, but we must learn how to use them smart.
Maciek Sawicki
2009-12-03 03:03:33
I've been drawing a windows mobile pay cheque for at least 4 years now . I'm leaning towards Android. Cool idea about the "peripherals".
baash05
2009-12-03 03:49:13