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Android

baumkuchen5000   April 26th, 2013 1:35p.m.

I don't want to start a fight about Android vs iOS, but Android phones and tablets seem more and more appealing, both hardware and software wise, whereas iOS has lost momentum. I would consider switching to Android for my next phone.
Any plans on reconsidering your decision to not support Android?

nick   April 26th, 2013 7:41p.m.

While we're not planning to do an Android version, and we don't have any current plans to reconsider doing an Android version, if one goes three layers deep, one could say that we're open to planning to reconsider doing an Android version.

What I mean is that it's not impossible, but given that even if we did decide to decide to make an Android version, it would be a long time from now before we finished it and you'd be able to use it. If you're thinking about making a phone buying decision soon, and if Skritter is one of your factors, then you might also consider this. Sorry!

sheppy   April 26th, 2013 9:48p.m.

Hi, may I jump in here?

I'm fairly new to both learning Chinese and Skritter and I'm quite enthusiastic (about both).

Recently I finally upgraded my Galaxy S2 from Gingerbread (Android 2.3.5) to Jelly Bean (4.1.2) and only since then I'm able to use Skritter on my phone.

I installed the latest Flash version from Adobe's archive page, and it just works!

I'm really happy about that because the way to skritter is on the phone... everywhere you go etc.

So, at least until the next major Android upgrade (when Google might switch rendering engines) we should be good. And then... get an auxiliary iPhone just for Skritter? Let's hope it doesn't come to that. I love the three-tier decision process :D

nick   April 27th, 2013 4:28p.m.

Good point, sheppy. Yup, if you manage to get Flash Player installed from archives, Skritter will often work on Android (although sometimes there are unusable quirks depending on the phone and OS version). That's not going to last forever, though, and the Flash-based Android version of Skritter is nowhere near as good as the iOS version, unfortunately.

Grahameh   April 29th, 2013 9:35p.m.

I have been with Skritter for quite a while but there is no way I am buying an iPhone just for Skritter. Fortunately I am home a lot and can use my notebook, but if it gets too annoying when I am away form home I will just stick with Fluent U and forget Skritter.

Clay   April 30th, 2013 2:17p.m.

Too bad. I recently jumped ship on apple. There is no way I am going back just for skritter, no matter how awesome your products look. I would think you (Skritter) would want to jump in with the OS that has taken over the market and carries momentum. Samsung sells more android phones worldwide then apple, and that is just one android manufacture.

I am guessing you have some die-hard apple fanboys there? Don't worry. I won't judge. Some of my friends are apple fanboys. Really!

BTW porting software from iOS to Android shouldn't take that long, especially if it is written in vanilla c. It can be costly though, depending on your standards and code complexity. Maybe reconsider reconsidering?

mcfarljw   April 30th, 2013 9:40p.m.

I generally loathe using Apple touch devices as well compared with Android. 2-3 years ago they were sleep, but now they just look outdated still holding onto a mythical reputation. While I feel Android has adapted to better utilize the potential of new touch devices.

@Grahameh, I agree with the statement that I'd never buy an iPhone for Skritter, but if you're spending 20-30 minutes a day on Skritter and do find yourself traveling about then a cheap used iTouch does come in handy. It just depends on learning goals and what it's worth to you. FluentU isn't really a replacement for Skritter, but rather just another unique tool.

@Clay, Porting is often easier said than done, especially with an application like Skritter. They poured their heart and soul into developing the iOS app (and a ridiculous amount of time). I think the reason they chose to develop and iOS app was due to it not supporting flash at all and leaving those users completely in the dark.

Talafar   April 30th, 2013 11:59p.m.

The ios Skritter app is the best app I've ever seen. There's so much attention to little details, and it feels so smooth and natural.

I can see how porting it to Android would be hard - and how optimizing for all the different products running android might really dilute the experience, so I get where the team is coming from.

On the other hand I also think the current crop of android phones are better and cheaper than what Apple's offering, so I'm still dreaming of the port. Then I can get rid of this old ipod touch...

Androider   May 10th, 2013 6:27p.m.

Count me up for practically a lifetime subscription if you transitioned into android, its the next and biggest step for you guys, if you can handle the initial investment it will make it worthwhile in number of members many times over. I dont own any IOS device and wouldnt want to purchase one for "just" a single app. Love you guys, and il keep waiting.

tmjmt   May 11th, 2013 5:47a.m.

With Android controlling the largest market share of smartphones, and almost with tablets, I also don't understand the teams reluctance to develop or port to Android.

I understand originally that the biggest usage of Skritter came from the webapp and with wacom tablets and the such, but obviously that is changing and more and more people will seek to use the service in the way that's most convenient and natural to them, their touch screen devices.

I also understand that its not necessarily a quick port, but Skritter isn't a free app, nor necessarily a cheap one. As a subscription service you expect ongoing developments and features, as as a testament to you're guys great stable development so far, tiny bug fixes and more webapp sparkles aren't the biggest desire for most users.

hajnal   May 20th, 2013 3:39a.m.

"I also understand that its not necessarily a quick port"

Android port has been an ongoing topic on skritter forums for many years. It's nothing new, had they started it years ago, when it became obvious that android would overtake the market, we would have an app now.

I'll definitely subscribe as soon as I can use skritter on my android phone.

Jim   May 20th, 2013 6:10p.m.

>While we're not planning to do an Android version, >and we don't have any current plans to reconsider >doing an Android version.

Work on your PR, you've lost a customer.

PANNA   May 23rd, 2013 10:52p.m.

This forum is now read only. Please go to Skritter Discourse Forum instead to start a new conversation!