When choosing a platform for your apps, ask yourself these four question:
• Who will use your apps? As with any application you develop, identifying the target audience helps determine on which platform you should build apps. Are you trying to reach a large markets Android and iPhone are the obvious choices. Are most of your users running Windndows on a desktop, or are you targeting an organization that uses a specific devices? Maybe Windows Phone 7 is your best bet. In short, you must identify who will use your app before you build it.
• ls there a future for the platfom? This question requires more thought. In the short term, all the platforms discussed here have a future. ln the long term, however, their prospects might look different. If you're trying to build a career developing mobile apps, you need to look at market share trends to help you determine which platform will have
staying power. lf you're creating apps for your personal use, you just need to know which phone you'll be using when your contract expires.
• What are your apps technical requirements? Each platform has its advantages and disadvantages. Are you considering a multitasking app. Need a lot of screen real estate or proprietary application programming interfaces (APIs)? What's most important is knowing which platforms support your te-chnical needs.
• What are the platform's development tools? The available tools and your ability to use them influence how you develop apps. ls the platform vendor the only choice for writing your app. Are third-party tools available? What programming language is used to develop for the platform, and are you familiar with it. In short, if you can't work with the available
tools, your app won't get written.