What’s the Difference Inbetween iOS and Android?

Clever phones are ingrained in today’s society, and the two thickest players in the smartphone market are the Android operating system by Google, and iOS by Apple. Neither operating system was originally as user friendly as it is today. Android originally came with no virtual keyboard, a lack of app store, and no multitouch capability. Android was originally introduced in two thousand eight on the T-Mobile G one smartphone, and is on its eighth iteration since its inception. The original Apple iOS was comparable to Android in that, when it was introduced in 2007, it too was inferior to the current version. The few features in the very first version of iOS included Google Maps, a home button, an on-screen keyboard, and the very first popular touchscreen on a smartphone. Apple includes iOS only with the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the iPad, while Google permits Android on any number of different devices. Both operating systems have come a long way since their introductions, but determining which of the two mobile operating systems is the best can prove to be difficult. The guide below maps out each operating systems, the features of each, and how to buy a high quality device featuring Android or iOS at a price that won’t break the buyer’s budget.

Apple iOS

Apple has liked much success with its devices, as each one seems to outsell the previous version. Since the introduction of its very first touchscreen device in 2007, Apple devices have revolutionized the mobile phone industry and set the bar high for other devices. The iOS introduced with the very first iPhone now operates on iPods and iPads as well. It is known for its ease of use and elegant design.

Features of iOS

Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS, contains a number of different features developed over its many versions and iterations since 2007. Many such features were, when very first developed and introduced by Apple, lauded as innovative, even groundbreaking advances. The following sections detail the features introduced with the various iOS versions.

iPhone OS (iOS 1)

• Touchscreen: Apple includes a screen that responds to finger presses and swipes
• Pinch-to-Zoom: User can pinch the screen to zoom the view in or out
• Apple Safari web browser: A mobile version of Apple’s Web browser
• Itunes compatibility: USB connection to iTunes-enabled computer
• Touchscreen keyboard: A touchscreen keyboard substitutes physical buttons, permitting a much larger screen without sacrificing device compactness
• Hidden file system: Unlike with a computer, the user cannot directly access the files present on the device
• Home button: A button present on the front of the device permits user to comeback there from any app at any time
• Home screen web snippets: A quick view of the web is present on the home screen
• Multitouch keyboard: Keyboard can accept more than a single button press at a time
• Re-arrange home screen icons
• Wi-fi iTunes purchases: The user can make purchases from the device

iPhone OS two (iOS Two)

• App store: The user can purchase apps from Apple
• Support for 3rd party apps: Users and companies can develop apps
• iOS Developer Kit: Code used to develop apps for third party support is available
• Contact search: Can search contacts by name
• Microsoft Exchange support: Thrust email and other features have support
• iTunes Genius support: Playlists created by iTunes based on past music
• Podcast downloads: Audio files downloadable from 3rd parties (audiobooks, web shows, etc.)
• Google Street View: Can view streets and maps from iPhone

iPhone OS three (iOS Trio)

• Copy/Paste capability: Text selectable to copy and paste
• Spotlight search: Can search a web page with keywords
• USB/Bluetooth tethering: Other mobile devices can access internet through iPhone
• Landscape keyboard: iPhone can be turned horizontally to make a two-fingered keyboard
• Find my iPhone: iPhone can be located and shutdown or wiped clean
• Voice control: iPhone can react to voice directives such as call or send message (pre-Siri)
• Voice control over Bluetooth: User can use Bluetooth device to input voice instructions
• Downloadable ringtones: Fresh ringtones available for the iPhone
• Remote lock: Device can be shut off using mobile.me

iOS Four

• Multitasking: iPhone cannot run background apps, but can receive certain notifications from apps
• VideoChat: Can communicate through movies using iPhone
• Retina Display: iPhone display enhanced
• Threaded email: Email similar to text message threads in their display
• Game center: An organization app used to place all games in one place
• TV showcase rentals: iPhone can now display TV shows
• iTunes Ping: Social network specifically tailored to music
• Verizon availability: iPhone now available to Verizon users
• 3G tethering: iPhone becomes hotspot for Wi-Fi enabled devices

iOS Five

• Siri: Enhanced and interactive voice control
• PC-free: Device can be activated without a computer
• Notification center: A drop down notification center for organizing app deeds
• iTunes Wi-Fi Sync: iPhone can share data back and forward with iTunes
• iCloud: A network the user can setup to connect all their Apple devices
• iMessage: Apple’s texting app

Added at later update.

All of the features made the iPhone the major player it is today. Some, such as Siri and availability on Verizon’s CDMA network, were lauded more than others. Tethering to other mobile devices was a feature only available on AT&T, and it cost the user an extra fee every bill.

A number of different features confirmed for iOS six include Siri Enhancements, Facebook integration, ripping off Google Maps for an Apple Maps feature, and switches to the Notification Center. Siri advancements include the capability to ask Siri for specialized information such as reservations, sporting information including scores and player stats, as well as reviews from Yelp! Facebook integration simply permits Facebook to interact with other apps, such as Siri and the notification center, to provide the user with information. The removal of Google Maps support in favor of an Apple alternative stems from the Apple vs. Samsung and Android litigation

Android OS

The Android OS by Google is the most widely used platform for smartphones and tablets on the market. It was introduced as a collaborative effort from the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), a unit that comprises companies such as Google, HTC, Sony, Dell, Samsung, LG, T-Mobile, Motorola, and many others. This is one of the reasons smartphones from these companies are released with the Android OS. As a result, the consumer has a broad multiplicity of smartphones to choose from. Compared to the iOS from Apple, Android devices are far less expensive.

Among the popular devices that utilize the Android OS are the Motorola Droid series, Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets, and HTC’s ThunderBolt LTE smartphone.

Jelly Bean, or Android Four.1, substituted the Ice Fluid Sandwich OS (Four.0). It permits users more capability to swipe their finger over the screen to perform deeds. It also performs quicker than the earlier release. Jelly Bean also makes it lighter to share photos on social media sites.

Features of Android

Android does not include as many major updates, but rather smaller increments adding fewer updates each time. Most of the updates come in the form of ".X" updates that are actually additions rather than switches to the entire system.

Android one (Cupcake and Donut)

• Notification window: Drop down notification from apps across the phone
• Widgets: Home screen functions that do not require the user to open an app
• Gmail integration: Gmail is strenuously present in Android
• Android market: Google’s own version of the app store
• CDMA support: Android could be used on Verizon and other CDMA providers
• Onscreen keyboard: Keyboard used on the touchscreen
• Upload support to YouTube: Movies could be captured and uploaded to YouTube
• Third party app development kit and support: Other companies and individuals can make apps for the Android operating system

Android Two.0 (Eclair, Froyo, and Gingerbread)

• Numerous account functionality: More than one Google account can be used on Android
• Google maps: Google maps app can be used to navigate
• Quick contact: Contacts can quickly be contacted in a number of ways using the app
• Speech to text: The user can talk to the phone to type a text message
• Five home screens: five different screens to hold quick select apps
• Enhanced gallery: Gallery includes features for viewing including moving the picture and spinning the phone to affect said pic
• PIN lock capability: Users can input a four digit number rather than a slide pattern
• Fresh looks: Looks of widgets and the background of the OS updated
• Front face camera support: User has more control over front face camera

Android Trio.X (Honeycomb)

• Act bar: Addition for app users to demonstrate popular options
• No need for physical buttons: System bar at the bottom of the phone can be used to go home, back, forward, etc.

Android Four.0 (Ice Juices Sandwich)

• Data usage analysis: Used to showcase how much data has been used based on users filters
• Android Rafter: Two phones can connect simply by touching to share files

Added at later update.

Like Apple iOS 6, Android Four.1 (Jelly Bean) includes some updates. Widgets can be resized totally to fit more onto a single screen. Another feature in Jelly Bean is text prediction, which uses past words to finish text messages and other text based uses to streamline the process of typing in search terms or sending a message.

Technical Specifications

The following table details some of the technical specifications of the Android and Apple iOS devices.

Technical Specification

Android

Latest Version

OS Type

License

Free and Open Source

CPU Architecture

ARM, MIPS, Power, x86

Programming Languages

Albeit there are some similarities, the two platforms are very different in end-user practice.

Buying Wise Phones on eBay

To buy an updated smartphone on eBay, know what you want in the phone. Begin by taking note of your carrier to ensure you find a phone that is usable. Next, determine whether you would like an Android or an iPhone. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, so determine which best fits your needs. Once you find a phone that fits your needs, commence sorting through the options.

eBay is a safe and effortless forum that offers a multitude of smartphones and accessories. The very first step in using eBay is to register to create an account and username. eBay buyers can then search the eBay marketplace by employing relevant keywords, like brand names, memory capacity, specific features, or color. For continuous access to auctions and offerings, use eBay mobile apps to bid and converse with sellers from a mobile device.

To ensure that a purchase transaction goes sleekly, research the smartphone itself to make sure it is the model desired. Also, choose a seller with predominantly positive feedback. Sellers with a lot of good feedback are more likely to provide excellent service and quality products than are sellers with a lot of negative responses.

Android and Apple smartphones are widely available on eBay. Kicking off on the homepage of eBay, type in the relevant search terms, such as "Android phone" or "iPhone" in the search box. If you are interested in a particular version of the OS or a specific manufacturer of phone (in the case of Android devices), you can add this information to the search to narrow results. You can also find these devices in the Cell Phones and Accessories or Computers, Tablets, and Networking sections of the site.

Conclusion

Just like many other products, there is a lot to consider when determining on which mobile operating system is the best choice for a specific consumer. Many people rank the importance of features differently, so it is best not to take any single person’s advice. Apple generally appeals to those who are not computer experts, and who seek a very user friendly practice that simplifies the operation of the device. Of course, this also puts thresholds on the types of apps and freedom one has to customize the iPhone. Android eliminates some user friendliness by providing the consumer control over the file system. This feature makes Android much more appealing to computer enthusiasts who want to make their own additions, subtractions, or modifications to the phone without hindrance from the developer.

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