It’s an argument that’s been going on for years: iOS or Android? Naturally, getting an accurate
answer to that contentious question depends entirely on who you ask and with which operating
system they’ve had the most experience. Devotees have bickered for years, and the worst part of
it is that it’s led to the misguided assumption that the difference between owning an Apple
handset and a Google handset is like night and day.
In reality, it’s not. For all the prospective smartphone newbies out there, here’s a quick rundown
of the not-so-major schisms between the two mobile behemoths.
Understanding the Specifics of Android
The single greatest advantage to owning an Android mobile device is its customization. The
nature of the Android’s open source model is what gives third party app developers the ability to
create a wide range of add-on functionalities that extend beyond the OS’s intrinsic capabilities.
This includes everything from widgets to live wallpapers that can be used to create the kind of
intensely personalized experience that’s not available with stock iOS devices. It also includes the
ability to side-load or download applications from sources other than the official Google Play
market, like the Amazon Appstore, or even direct from app developer websites. Ultimately, this
makes for a greater number of applications that are available for Android devices.
Just a few examples of Android’s customization possibilities include the ability to install time or
weather widgets to a device’s lock screen, to set or change which specific programs launch
certain types of files, to change default fonts, and to install non-factory dialer and SMS apps. The
pull-down notification system that comes standard with the Android OS also enables users to
turn on and off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and audio with a single tap instead of having to access
system preferences. By design, the Android operating system has a file management system
similar to PCs and Macs that delivers a more “hands on” experience that may be more conducive
to using a smartphone like a computer rather than a mobile device.
While owning a smartphone with a highly customizable interface may make Android the obvious
choice for techie individualists, it does have its fair share of drawbacks. Freedom to customize can
imbue the device’s interface with something of a shattered uniformity that won’t appeal to
everyone and could be difficult for some users to keep up with.
For example, applications that were built to function well on earlier operating systems may not
work as well when a user upgrades to the latest OS version. There’s also the consideration that
Google Play app policies aren’t as strict as those of Apple, which means that applications may not
always work at peak performance and could compromise security.
Because Android is used by a variety of manufacturers like Samsung, HTC and Sony, it’s become
the most widely used OS in the world, powering more than a billion mobile devices. But this
doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best. It also doesn’t make it the worst. It just means it’s the
most often used.
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