The quality of bundled apps. Application developers will be influenced by them because they see them before they write the first line of code, use them most likely everyday and are inclined to mimic the user experience. iOS bundled apps are all very decent and are the source of inspiration for most apps in the App Store and the emphasis on user experience across the whole ecosystem. I cannot remember anybody praising stock Andriod apps beyond the GMail client. The (other) built-in email client basically ruins any belief in that Google plays the UX game as half well as Apple.

While perhaps limitation is a strong word, it is clear that the development environments/tools/api's for the two platforms are very different. Is it not possible that one is simply better suited to producing high quality apps than the other?

That's a diversion from the original point that iOS users are more willing to pay for apps. Whether it's easier to develop high quality apps for whichever platform, the fact that the iOS app is higher quality is an important factor when that makes the comparison invalid.

Well, I agree that a drastic difference in quality between the two versions of the app invalidates the data from MLB, the grand parent of my post asked why the quality is different between the two. Specifically, wether it is MLB's fault or a deficiency in Android. I think my answer is relevant, and the question, while a diversion from the question here as to wether users from the two platforms approach paying for apps differently, is especially relevant to the deeper question of "which platform should I work on."

You make a very fair point, one that's important to the deeper question.

Sorry if I sounded combative, I was merely trying to point out that (still cogent) point does not say anything about the willingness of Android/iOS users to pay for apps.

Built in content protection for streaming video? I don't know, that's why I asked. I have no experience with the MLB app and limited experience with both iOS and Android.