Android is fragmented - what now for app developers?

There is a really interesting post over on The Next Web called "The Toll of Hardware and Software Fragmentation on Android Devs". (http://tnw.co/HtBIXz)


In it, Natalia Luckyanova from Imangi Studios says that nearly all of the support emails for their game Temple Run from Android Users relate to problems getting the app running.


We've also uncovered some issues with Relevenz running on Ice Cream Sandwich, while it runs without a hitch on Gingerbread. Hmmm. This kind of fragmentation in mobile is nothing new. But you would expect that having problems with MMS interoperability and rendering standard HTML in previous years, the mobile industry would have learned a thing or two.


So what are the choices?


Well, the mobile web is still there. You can develop once using a HTML5/CSS3/Javascript combination and it will run pretty much on any smartphone. However, there are still downsides, like limited access to the phone's hardware and slower rendering times.


For the native app developer? It's hard to see Google actually coming out and enforcing a single flavour of Android. The only way that change could happen is through developer revolt. Perhaps it's time to get organized.

What people want: Mobile Apps

One of the most consistent statements that we received from our early adopters was that they wanted an app version of Relevenz on their mobile handset. This was despite the fact that we had a mobile website up and running.

Now, as a long time mobile web supporter, this pained me a lot. The web is fairly standard, works across many platforms and I wouldn't have to worry so much about the fragmentation. By contrast, it seemed that developing native apps would be expensive and a step backwards.

I discussed this at length with them to try to figure out what was driving this request. I pointed out the mobile website and that there would be little difference in an on-device application.

"Yes, but..." was the reply.

It seemed to boil down to simplicity. Many people would like to simply push one button on their phone and get to their information. I showed them how to create a bookmark from the browser and put it on the screen. No joy. Too complicated, too many steps involved.

So in the best tradition of listening to our customers, Relevenz the app is now available for iPhone and Android (see iTunes or Google Play).

In this new version, we've added some additional features:

- You can now see what's on in your location, these are public events that everyone in a location can see.

- You can also reach out to a local merchant if you need something. Simply add a request, and people in that location will be able to see it

- If you have something to sell, you can add an Offer to Relevenz. People in your location will also be able to see it.

I'm always looking for feedback, so try out the app and let me know what you would like to see in it.

Should you go to South By SouthWest?

There have been some articles on the Internet recently suggesting that you shouldn't go to SXSW if you have a startup.


I completely disagree.


Every March, the pretty city of Austin, Texas hosts the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival. It is split into three major areas, Interactive, Film and Music. Interactive focuses on all things digitial, while the others are, well, self explanatory.


There are lots of sessions running in different locations, from the convention centre itself, to the large nearby hotels. Although each is within walking distance, there is also a free shuttle provided every couple of minutes.


I had wanted to come to this festival for a long time and despite my roundabout journey here, I wasn't disappointed. The panels were interesting and diverse on a wide range of topics from the technical (mobile web versus native) to business (holy grail of social/mobile/local) to the speculative (should advertising agencies act like startups?).


But the real attraction is the people and the open sharing of ideas. Standing in line, sitting on the bus or waiting for a session to kick off, interesting conversation was never more than a "Hello" away. People were always ready and willing to talk about their ideas, their opinions and thoughts. Always willing to listen to others.


Panellists hung around after the end of their sessions to talk with people from the audience. In one, the SXSW staff had to gently encourage a group that were engaged in an interesting conversation on the nature of time and future tensing social networking, to leave. Of course, the conversation continued in the hallway outside.


This huge positive energy, the enthusiasm of the attendees, the open and diverse opinions and the sharing of information are what makes SXSW special. Yes, you can see interesting tech at other conferences. Yes, you have to put in the effort before you go to meet people and pick the right sessions to attend. But other conferences could learn a whole lot from the easy, casual and open nature of SXSW (I'm looking at you, Mobile World Congress).


Will I be back? Yes, definitely.


Should you go? Yes, you should.

Getting to Austin

Austin is the home of the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival in March every year. It's split into three overlapping conferences, Interactive focuses on digital media and technology, Music on, well music and Film. I had wanted to come here for several years and was really looking forward to it.


On the other hand, getting here proved to be a bit of a nightmare.


The first thing to go wrong was that the flight out of Dublin was delayed by two hours. Apparently, the water wasn't flowing to the galley and toilets. At one point, the captain considered bringing on bottles of water, but I think the crew objected.


Eventually, the engineers fixed the problem and we were on our way. Except of course that I missed my connection in New York. Aer Lingus rebooked me on a flight from La Guardia to Austin, via Dallas-Fort Worth and since it was very late in New York, put me up in a hotel across from the airport.


Well, so far, not the worst. Instead of arriving in Austin on Thursday night, it would be Friday morning. I'd miss the first sessions, but would be there for most of the day.


The next morning was dull and overcast. Not a great start. I was up at 4am to catch the early flight to Dallas, an American Airlines MD-50. Now this is an older airplane which apparently is a gas guzzler. It's got two engines mounted on the rear fuselage of the aircraft. My seat was at the back, next to the right hand engine.


Taxing at La Guardia proved to be a bit long, but at last, we were on the end of the runway. But as the captain spun up the engine to full power, a series of loud bangs came from the engine beside me. Now I've travelled in a lot of airplanes over the years, and I'd never heard something like that before. I looked over at the cabin attendant sitting across from me - she was already on the phone to the cockpit.


The captain powered down the engine and taxied off to a holding area. Yes, the engine was broken and the engineers decided to take the plane out of service. I suppose we were lucky to have the failure while we were on the ground, rather than 60 seconds later at the other end of the runway.


So another plane was brought out and we switched over. Of course, by the time I got to Dallas, my connection had already departed.


This being SXSW week, all the flights to Austin were over booked. The ground staff were desparately offering $300 vouchers to anyone who would give up their seat. There weren't any takers. I was put on standby for the next flight.


And the next flight.


And the next flight.


Already I'd spent four hours in Dallas. The ground staff were apologetic, but it didn't look like I was going to get to Austin. One checked the availability of flights the following day, but the answer was the same, all overbooked.


The weather had also deteriorated and it was starting to rain. The news from Austin was that a large thunderstorm was moving in. I asked someone how long it would take to drive to Austin. Three and a half hours was the reply. A plan was forming.


I fired up the mobile browser and tried a couple of car rental companies. Each site was pretty easy to navigate through, so I booked one through Avis. Five hours later I was sitting in my hotel in Austin thoroughly exhausted.


Total door to door time: 36 hours. But I had made it to SXSW.




Interesting note for frequent travellers: Received wisdom is that it is better to bring your luggage with you on board. It's easier to change flights in airports, there's no delay when you reach your destination and if you get stuck somewhere, at least you'll have your luggage. But here's the counter. If you've checked your luggage, it's on the plane already. This automatically bumps you up the standby queue and so the person I was travelling with went straight onto the next plane, as his luggage was checked. The airline doesn't want to delay the plane by having to remove your luggage from the plane if you don't get a seat.