It was a similar story at Google, which on May 14 announced features and initiatives aimed at encouraging developers to build apps and services based on a suite of Gemini Enormous Language Model (LLM)-based features for Android, Chrome, YouTube and more – which have an estimated number of dynamic users of 3.9 billion, 3.2 billion and 2.5 billion respectively.
With Apple and Google battling it out over generative AI, the stage is now set for an Android vs. iOS battle that will now seek to attract developers. The commercialization of generative AI is at stake – as more developers build apps and services for Apple and Google’s AI stacks, Substantial Tech companies will begin to profit from the billions of dollars spent building generative AI operate cases and application programming interfaces (APIs).
An API is a code base for any software platform that allows developers to create applications for the appropriate platform.
I am talking with MintSrivastava said Apple’s developer reach enables independent innovators.
“Apple’s documentation for developers is tough and simplified. You can easily build one app and launch it seamlessly across iOS (for smartphone users), iPadOS (for tablet users) and macOS (for laptop users). As independent developers without massive resources, working on the Apple developer ecosystem makes it easier to serve a broader audience, which in turn can support us focus on creativity and straightforward operate cases instead of coding and debugging issues,” Srivastava said Mint.
On the other side of the table, Google-encouraged developers find themselves in a precarious place. Varun Mayya, a freelance software developer and technology content creator, said that one of the biggest advantages of creating a Google ecosystem is its reach. “Apple’s market is too diminutive for bootstrap software companies to work on building commercial apps and services from India. However, Apple devices such as the iPhone are equipped with specialized hardware components, such as the lidar sensor, that enable specific applications using visual design that can take full advantage of Apple’s AI stack,” he said.
While Google has been introducing AI features over the past year, Apple’s introduction is completely modern. Calling it “Apple Intelligence,” the iPhone maker’s generative AI includes features available on the device such as live call transcription, email writing and summarization, photo editing, and a modern interface for cross-platform digital assistant Siri. Apple’s AI APIs are also open to developers, who can build AI into existing third-party apps or even create entirely modern ones.
Industry stakeholders now believe that while both Apple and Google are “latecomers” to the AI side, the duo’s overall influence and global user base could lead to a modern round of tug-of-war between Android and iOS – the two mobile operating systems that control almost all of the over 5.5 billion smartphones worldwide. Of this, Google was estimated to have 70% of the market share at the end of last year, while iOS is estimated to have almost 1.5 billion devices worldwide.
These massive numbers clearly show why Apple and Google would want to attract developers to their ecosystems. Both companies have spent billions building their own artificial intelligence models, which they now want to monetize. A key part of the monetization strategy for both sides would be to get developers to build applications that operate local, scaled-down versions of vast language models to appeal to users.
Mayya said Apple’s AI operate cases showcased at WWDC were “disappointing.”
“There has been no real enthusiasm when it comes to novel operate cases, and most of the features that Apple showcased are already available and published by Google and the like. Plus, if I, as a developer, were to create an early AI operate case based on ease of operate for any user, Apple will likely build it natively into its ecosystem within the next two to three years. This discourages the developer ecosystem from creating solutions for Apple. In Google’s case, the third-party app ecosystem is much larger and more promising,” he said.
However, both Mayya and Srivastava agree that for developers, opening up AI APIs could lead to an augment in commercially viable opportunities in the world’s largest app markets – the iOS App Store and Android Play Store.
However, key challenges remain. A senior iOS developer working for a multinational company said on condition of anonymity that Apple’s developer ecosystem contains “barriers.”
“Apple requires developers to pay a fee before they can create apps for many of its platforms, such as Vision Pro. While AI APIs remain in beta, this could pose a key challenge. Additionally, in India, being an iOS developer requires Mac ownership for early-career independent professionals and students, which is steep and a key barrier to entry in India. This would be a massive challenge for which Indian independent developers prefer the Google ecosystem,” said the developer.
In response to Mintin response to an inquiry, Apple said it does not charge any fees for any of its developer tools and features.
In India, Android devices account for nearly 95% of the nearly 800 million dynamic smartphones in the country. Apple iPhones are estimated to have almost 4% market share, which means it has around 30 million users in India.
Meanwhile, industry experts believe that the performance of Apple’s ecosystem could be crucial in attracting developers to its ecosystem. Jayanth Kolla, partner and co-founder of industry consultant Convergence Catalyst, said: “Edge AI, which is what Apple and Google want to bring to market, has not yet been proven on a vast scale. With billions of users worldwide, if there is one company that can succeed in seamlessly integrating local AI applications into the user experience, it is Apple. On this front, it remains to be seen how well this promise will be delivered – both in terms of velvety operations and the overall scope of privacy protection.”
Google did not immediately respond Mintemails by press time.
Posted: Jun 18, 2024 06:00 EST