Native Versus Android Port - Please stop the bashing
Hi all
I realize there are some threads with this as a discussion point somewhere embedded within it, but I wanted to put this out there to hopefully stop the bashing of Android developers porting their applications to BB10.
I have seen way too many threads de-railed with a comment like 'Well if it's an Android port it's crap and I don't want it'. Honestly, it makes the poster sound like a spoiled child.
We have to realize that bringing an app to ANY platform is very expensive. It's not just the cost to write the app, but the support, and ongoing updates that have to be factored in. (And all this for a couple bucks usually!!!) When it's a new or fledgling OS, like BB10, getting any support in my mind is good. Right now the limitations are mostly on BlackBerry's side - and hopefully will be fixed and improve the 'flow' when the runtime is upgraded and more capabilities are opened up.
The analogy I use is that saying you won't use an 'Android' port just because it is Android is like saying 'Well, I won't drive that car because it's a Ford, and instead I'll walk everywhere'. It may not be the perfect 'vehicle' to get things done in terms of 'form' but often the 'function' makes up for that. I'll choose function over form every day of the week.
A great example of an Android port that is worth checking out is SignEasy. I bugged and harassed the developer of this great app and he decided to take the plunge and port his Android version over. In my mind this is one of the best Android ports out there and it brings functionality otherwise not available on this platform. There are two people that instead of keeping quiet, decided to post negative comments on the announcement page about it being an 'Android port' and it appears they didn't even bother trying it. How do you think that is going to help this platform?? Don't you think instead you should try out the app, and see if it helps, and if there are enough people using/buying these apps then it's very likely the developer will consider a Native version in the future. By not downloading it and then bashing the developer, how do you think they'll feel about our platform? Seriously think about it. An Android port means the developer wants to test out the waters. If there's no interest, they'll likely just move on. If they get bashed, that will just expedite it and then the platform will die. Before this app came out I had to carry around my iPad if I wanted to sign a document and had to toggle wifi hotspot on/off on my 9900 and the Z10. This one 'ported' app made all that go away.
We also have to remember there are a lot of 'native' apps that are not that useful. This is the same for any platform. I'll choose an Android port that improves my device over a 'native' one that adds no value.
Android ports are a bridge for now - we get to decide if they're a bridge to eventual Native support, or a bridge to nowhere by our actions. Please, if you don't like Android ports for whatever petty reason you may have, just keep it to yourself and let the rest of us enjoy the increased productivity and useability that they bring.