Why nor distribute compiled code
I never saw the great value in distributing byte code. There are currently very few architectures for Android. Disk space is cheap and the Play Store could store 3 or 4 versions of each app and download the appropriate one automatically. There would be no need to waste time on the users' phones and tablets and the space used there would be perhaps a little larger, but not out of the question. It would certainly require less space than storing a byte code app and its AOT version. Just bundle the AOT code into the Java compiler for the developers and it would be simple and effective.
Of course, with my 20% hindsight, it is obvious that they should have chosen Qt and C++. I would have done so from the start. I understand that they were trying to make it easier for people familiar with Java, but I wonder how many people learned Java just to do the apps anyway.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
