A launcher goes a long ways in these kinds of situations. And if you are the kind who enjoys the freedom of Android but actually lusts after the looks afforded by iOS or Windows — there are even launchers that help you achieve a similar look and feel. Another reason why Android is better than iPhone is you can actually replace the software that came with your device with a custom ROM, if you want to. This is essentially installing a new operating system, and many Android users do it because their carrier or manufacturer is slow to upgrade to the latest version of the Android platform, but you may also do it for better performance or to gain access to some add-ons or tools.
That said, as long as you can follow a tutorial and your device is supported, the benefits can be enormous.
Hell, there are even ways to install completely different operating systems on some Android devices, such as Ubuntu, Firefox OS, Sailfish, and the list goes on. Some years ago we discussed why Google and Android will prevail over Apple and iOS , and this specific topic is still one of the main reasons. People are increasingly using their mobile devices to go online and Google is king of the web.
And this is an important factor, because most of us use one or two… or three or 10 Google services. You want these to work seamlessly, and Android offers that.
This stands out from the crowd of Google services and, while the excellent voice search has been rolled into the Google iOS app, there are elements of Google Now that you can only enjoy on Android.
When we look to our technology to push things forward and offer real convenience boosts to daily life, the predictive and pre-emptive nature of Google Now as it seeks to fulfill your desires before you think to search, could be truly revolutionary.
Whether Google Now is better than Siri or not continues to be subjective, though. This is still a matter of preference, but here at Android Authority we believe Google Now is more straightforward and to the point, which is something we all look for when finding the right digital assistant.
Sometimes ports of the same apps that carried a price tag on iOS are free on Android. There also seems to be a greater willingness to pursue the freemium or ad-supported model.
Sadly, this may be, at least partly, down to piracy concerns and, while more hits are being ported across, the ability to earn more from iOS development still means more high quality, premium apps and games release on iOS first. The Android platform is unrecognizable compared with the first release, and it continues to improve and evolve at a faster pace than the competition.
That big user base and the wide range of manufacturers producing Android devices can only drive further improvements to greater heights. The gap between Android and iPhone has narrowed dramatically in recent years. It used to be an article of faith that iPhones were technically superior, and the only reason someone would choose Android was because they couldn't afford one of Apple's devices or because they had a philosophical objection to Apple's "walled garden.
Today, whatever technological gaps once existed between the latest iPhones and the top Android devices have essentially vanished.
Sure, Apple's CPUs are little engineering marvels, and the hardware is top-notch. But the competition is close enough to make those differences merely interesting rather than compelling.
For the past year or so, I've been switching between a succession of Android devices and a pair of iPhones. Each one is impressive when looked at strictly on its own merits. But day in and day out, I find I'm using those Android devices, and the iPhone tends to stay on its charging dock when I leave the office.
So, what are the factors, big and small, that cause me to prefer Android? Let's start with the hardware itself. When you're in the market for a new smartphone, Apple offers three hardware choices unless you're willing to buy last year's model for a minuscule discount.
The current iPhone lineup comes in two sizes, big and bigger, and two price ranges, expensive and really expensive. And those devices are rarely discounted. By contrast, your Android choices cover a wide range of sizes, shapes, feature sets, and price points.
From long experience, I know three things about Apple's Lightning cables: They have an annoying tendency to break; they cost a small fortune to replace; and they require their own little collection of dongles to be useful. But, if you own an iPhone, those pricey Lightning cables are not optional. They're also not useful for anything that isn't another iPhone or iPad.
Meanwhile, the Android universe has moved en masse to the more modern and far more versatile USB-C standard. When I travel, I can carry a single charger and one cable that works with every non-Apple mobile device. Until then, it's one more cable that iPhone owners have to carry. Raise your hand if you've ever prepared to plug a set of headphones into your iPhone and discovered that you left that pesky headphone dongle back on your desk.
Thankfully, there are plenty of Android devices including the new Pixel 3a that still offer 3. From hardware, we move to the code that runs under the glass, and specifically, to the navigation and organization paradigms that define a mobile operating system.
Android and iOS offer similar shortcuts to get to some common system settings. On an iPhone, you swipe down from the top right to get to Control Center, which has a selection of shortcuts you can use to turn on Airplane Mode, adjust screen brightness and volume, use the calculator, and so on. The shortcuts make excellent use of the Force Touch feature. Generally, though, iOS devices are faster and smoother than most Android phones at comparable price ranges. Sometimes, what we love about Android makes it a less enticing platform to the general consumer.
While Google and its partnered manufacturers have been getting better at making Android more intuitive, the truth is it can still be a bit confusing. Furthermore, inconsistency between phone makers creates a learning curve, as most Android phones look and feel different from one another. They want a device that works well, is easy to use, and can take them to their content with the least amount of effort. Opinion: Dear Android and Apple fans: In , can we permanently end the hate?
The user experience for iOS is intuitive enough that there is almost no learning curve. I have seen kids who have never used a smartphone figure out the basics in 10 minutes minutes. Similarly, if you already own an iOS device, you can switch to any other and immediately know exactly how it works. Updating software is one of the things iOS does better than Android.
If your iOS device qualifies to get the latest update , it will get it as soon as it launches. That is another topic and something to worry about only if you have a significantly older Apple device, though. Also read: Which manufacturer updates its smartphones fastest?
Android Pie edition. Google only gives direct updates to its own products, like the Pixel 5 or Pixel 5a , and even those have been known to fail at getting updates efficiently sometimes.
Manufacturers like Samsung , Sony , Motorola , and all others have to get the update from Google, work on it, optimize it for your device, and then send it out. In many instances, carriers have to go through them too, which only assures you get updates late, sometimes months down the line… if ever. This one is more of a tie because Google has gotten much better at integrating its services across devices in the past few years.
This may not seem like a huge deal to most of us tech-savvy users, but it can be a daunting task to some, or at the very least, an annoyance.
More: The best Apple laptops available. Apple backs down in DIY iPhone 13 screen repair dispute. SK Telecom adds nearly 1 million new 5G subscribers in Q3. What does this black dot on the iPhone do? You agree to receive updates, promotions, and alerts from ZDNet. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to receive the selected newsletter s which you may unsubscribe from at any time.
You also agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge the data collection and usage practices outlined in our Privacy Policy. The iPod touch was the gateway device that got me into the Apple ecosystem. ZDNet Recommends. Featured Hacker-for-hire operation has targeted thousands of victims around the world Microsoft will now snitch on you at work like never before Dumping Google Chrome?
0コメント