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Ask HN: Should I learn to develop for android?

6 points by lorenzopicoli ↗ HN
I have some knowledge in iOS development and now I want to learn something else with it. I think I need more web languages like PHP, JavaScript... But on the other side it's cool to create an app with iOS and android versions. I also heard a lot of people saying that android doesn't worth time, it takes a lot of time creating the app and piracy is higher than iOS. So my question is, should I learn Java and then Android development or focus on something else(what?)?

7 comments

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sharemywin
I think the best thing to do is find a project that would require all of the above. Something that you would find interesting that has a backend, web interface and phone component.
tocomment
Yes, absolutely learn it. In the US Android developers make 130-170K per year [1]. You could get an awesome paying job, probably buy a house.

[1] http://www.cio.com/slideshow/detail/112042?google_editors_pi...

laveur
I call BS on this. I want to see there sources for this! I've been developing for iOS since the beginning and I just recently started developing for Android as well to broaden my skill set and I have never made anything near that. 100K seems to be the top most companies want to pay.
lorenzopicoli
That's exactly what I was thinking. And build an android app for all screens take time for those who doesn't work for a company, right?
meerita
Maybe the OP refer to freelancing. I know some freelancers getting around that. I assume if you're good, you will get paid a lot.
lorenzopicoli
Wow, I didn't know android developers make that high, but what about make money just sending little apps, because I don't live in US and I don't think we have here that opportunities for developers. And I'm still studying so it would be just do apps and send to the store to get some extra money. But I'll keep in mind that its more powerful than I thought