Jan
10
Andy the Android
Android is a mobile operating system comparable (if later developed) to Apple’s popular iOS software. It has many of the same features, and many different features. It is a Linux based file system developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google. Google purchased the initial developer of the software, Android Inc., in 2005. As a way of codenaming the releases of Android, Google uses dessert names such as Gingerbread, Froyo, etc; with the latest build being Ice Cream Sandwich, currently available on the Galaxy Nexus, by Samsung.
The principle factor with in deciding between Android and iOS is customization. As an avid Android user myself, this is the key factor that nailed down my decision between the two popular platforms. I have owned an iPhone, and have more recently owned Android phones, with my current phone being the Samsung Droid Charge.
To be blatantly honest, there is only one way to get even close to the customization on an iOS device that you can get on an Android phone, and that’s by jailbreaking, or “unlocking” the software of device in question. Long rumored illegal, jailbreaking gives a form of administrative access to an iOS device by allowing the user to install third party non-vendor developed applications, instead of just the usually install approved applications from Apple’s appstore.
Closed Development
Every application currently available for Apple’s iOS is subject to Apple’s scrutiny, their demands for change, etc. However, when it comes to Android, applications are open to developer’s creativity. Google monitors the Android Market for spam and illegal content, but other
Example: Google+
Android phones had a Google+ app before it was a public service and openly available. Quite literally, the app was available on user’s phones before they could even access the service via their Google accounts. Granted, the product is a Google product. But hey, let’s look at it logically here. Is there another software or conceptual developer that could somehow rival Google? Short of an actual Apple product, who could be more trustworthy than Google? But, Apple users had to wait until Apple took their typically long review process into consideration to finally release the product to the appstore for download.
Customization
Widgets on Ice Cream Sandwich
Why has Apple not considered the functionality of widgets? Android has a functionality built in for users to add widgets from a variety of default applications, as well as third-party developer applications. This allows some functionality available within an application to be used outside of the application on the homescreen. This functionality is not matched by any features in iOS. To access application features, the closest thing to widgets that iOS has to offer is the push notifications.
Case Study: Default Launcher(s)
The default homescreen functionality on an iPhone is a format with horizontally tiled screens with the applications listed (by default) in an order that Apple specifies. The remaining customization available with no extra steps is reorganizing applications in a manner preferred, and the ability to created and name folders for applications to reside in.
Android users can go to the Android Market and use many different homescreen launchers, providing endless customization for the style of application drawer, horizontally and vertically styled application listings, etc. Many of these applications are available to users free of charge from the Android Market.
As an avid Android user, the topics I’ve listed here are my main reasons for choosing Android over iOS. I have owned an iPhone, and I own an iPod Touch with the latest version of iOS on it as well, but I have chosen Android as my preferred platform.
Good post, especially your point about the widgets and launchers.
I love the combination of Launcher Pro and Folder Organizer. Launcher Pro gives a scrolling dock, customizable up to a total of fifteen shortcuts, and gives each shortcut a customizable icon, tap-action, and swipe-action. I have organized all my apps into categories with Folder Organizer, and use Launcher Pro to open my most common apps by tapping their dock icon, and to open a Folder Organizer category of apps by swiping the dock icon. I never have to sift through the app drawer anymore, and my homescreens are nice and tidy as well.
I really enjoy your site Addison. Looks like you’re put in a decent amount of work to make it easy, attractive, and interesting.
Can you continue to study this topic, with a criterion of initial cost and cost over time? I’ve never had a smartphone, and if I enter the market, I want to know which operating systems are associated with the most cost effective phones.
Matt, I certainly wouldn’t trade the customization of Android for iOS. I have my Droid Charge set up similar to how you have yours set up. I unfortunately don’t like the ROM that I’m running right now, so I’m on the hunt for a good one.
Aaron, thanks for the comments on my site, brother! I’m looking forward to seeing yours go public.
I’ve thought about looking further into Android vs. iOS, etc. It’s good to see that people are interested in the topic!