Will android ever catch up with iOS for music?

ZenKier

From my vantage, iOS isn't getting more expensive; actually LESS expensive options exist now than when I got into iPad music a few years ago. The brand new 2018 base model iPad at $309 is an incredible value, 32gb ram and quite a bit faster than iPad Air 2, 128gb for just over 400. They're providing more options altogether now, to cover both the high end and low end. (and "low end" is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to new iOS devices, imo. Aside from screen size, it's basically the same experience with most apps across the range and still faster than any competitors on the mobile market)

Most people don't need the iPad Pro , it's mostly a matter of convenience (and bragging rights for some) w/ the larger screen and a bit more future proof performance-wise. I've yet to fully utilize the cpu in my 2017 Pro, so I imagine it'll be years before apps are demanding enough to make the new Pro sweat. (or the old ones, for that matter) Being able to run 40% more AU instruments and effects simultaneously, would be about the only immediate benefit I can think of related to music, aside from the convenience of USB-C.

I never bought into the forced obsolescence theory either , especially after iOS 12 breathed new life into my already speedy iPhone 6s plus, making it seem even faster than when I bought it. ...Was already planning to get another good 5 years or so out of the iPad + iPhone before thinking about upgrading..,. At the rate they're improving, It'll be an entirely different ballpark by then.

People are addicted to having the latest and greatest tech, all too often not fully appreciating the power of slightly older, still extremely capable machines.

ZenKier

Looks like my previous longer comment failed to post ...so to briefly summarize
I don't see that iOS is becoming more expensive ..just more options covering a wider range now, from affordable, to fancy future-proof hardware that mostly won't be utilized for most users until app developers catch up ...and by the time they do, the new shiny will be out.

2018 iPad base model is $309 w/ 32gb ram, $100 more for 128gb , faster & more capable than any android tablet. That's quite a bit less expensive than when I got into iOS music a few years ago.

You'll obviously be able to push more AUs on the top of the line Pros, but that's not relevant to everyone, depending on your style of creating and is easy to work around via freezing.

MobileMusic

@vitocorleone123 said:

@MobileMusic said:
KVRAudio is confident of porting SynthMaster apps to Android next year

I wish they'd start with an iPhone, first.

Apparently, they are right on iPhone version

DougW

This is the latest effort from Goggle announced in October to fix Android audio:
http://www.musicalandroid.com/blog/google-introduces-oboe-for-low-latency-applications-on-android
http://www.musicalandroid.com/blog/low-latency-audio-because-your-ears-are-worth-it-android-dev-summit-18

DougW

Also Samsung has stopped development of SoundCamp:
http://www.musicalandroid.com/blog/samsung-gives-up-on-soundcamp-sooo-stupid
I'm wondering if this is in response to Google developing Oboe and n-Track Studio releasing AudioRoute, which provides interconnection between apps.

[Deleted User]

A matter of time, probably (since Apple seems more focused in GUI than DSP).

SheffieldBleep

Perhaps the real question should have been in relation to windows touch environments given the growth of this sector. My son has just been bought a surface by his dad. Will be interesting to have a play

[Deleted User]

@SheffieldBleep said:
Perhaps the real question should have been in relation to windows touch environments given the growth of this sector. My son has just been bought a surface by his dad. Will be interesting to have a play

Try Stagelight and bring some feedback about how it goes, please...

rthr

@jwmmakerofmusic said:
The fault however lies in most of the Android devices themselves. Unless you shell out mad stacks for a high end Samsung tablet, chances are the device you use will have a multitude of issues.

This. And you can buy a pretty fast iPad for 300 bucks. Its A10 is probably faster than the top Android tablets you can buy right now. And it most likely works better and longer too.

Turntablist

@CracklePot said:
@brambos stated he will never go Android.
So obviously the answer to the original question is ‘NO’.

If Android ever catches up to iOS for music making, it will be entirely Apple’s fault. It doesn’t seem like Google is even interested in trying to catch up.

Pretty sure he didn't, he said it's at the bottom of the list, that isn't no or never, things change, likely, no, possible, yes.

CracklePot

@Turntablist said:

@CracklePot said:
@brambos stated he will never go Android.
So obviously the answer to the original question is ‘NO’.

If Android ever catches up to iOS for music making, it will be entirely Apple’s fault. It doesn’t seem like Google is even interested in trying to catch up.

Pretty sure he didn't, he said it's at the bottom of the list, that isn't no or never, things change, likely, no, possible, yes.

Hey. You know what?
You’re right.