Why Choose Android? Part 2

In the second and penultimate part of this series we will explore the differences between android and iOS interfaces in even more detail. There are similarities between the two operating systems in their interface due them being both Graphical User Interfaces(GUIs) and hence they share a set of same rudimentary input methods like swiping, tapping and other gestures.

Interfaces:

 

(From the left: iOS Home Screen, Android Home Screen, iOS Command Centre, Android Quick Settings)

They also boot into a home screen which is similar to the home screen of a desktop. The home screen is where the differences start cropping up. iOS has a single layered interface without an app drawer. So in iOS all apps are added to the home screen with multiple ones added by need and apps are arranged by folder. In Android there is the presence of a dual-layered interface(However some OEMs may add tweaks negating this). So there is a specific app drawer where all apps are arranged.  iOS also doesn't allow the use of widgets on the home screen which are used in Android for displaying certain useful bits of information like weather of sneak peeks from apps. iOS has some settings available in a place dubbed "Command Center". To access them, simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen and a set of settings and utilities will be displayed. Android has a similar provision, however it is named "Quick Settings" and is accessed by swiping down from top of the screen. Quick Settings provides a list of settings and some utilities as well. To access notifications in iOS, you have to swipe down from the top of the screen where notifications will be displayed. Notifications are accessed in a similar manner in Android only with the difference that notifications are built into Quick Settings.

Availability of Apps:

 

(image sources:logos.wikia.com and starwars.wikia.com)

Android has its apps available mainly from Google Play Store which is owned by Google. However for Android third party app stores are also available. Apple though has only one fixed app store which is the App Store. Android has over 600,000 apps which is a number fast increasing while its counterpart houses over 700,000 apps of which most are limited to only the iPhone. Android offers a wider suite of Google apps. Most apps nowadays are cross platform to capture a larger audience. Android has a dynamic and fast increasing app platform.

Stability and Software Updates:

Android is generally rated as a more stable platform than iOS with lower crash rates all around. Lollipop narrowly beats iOS 8 in stability with previous Android versions also being ranked above iOS in stability.

Google does keep bashing out monthly upgrades to its Android platform with security patches, bug fixes and new features, individual OEMs overall do a very bad job of upgrading their devices frequently. This is compounded by Android's popularity and the ambiguity of the various OEMs. iOS has a clear advantage in this field. The exclusivity of iOS helps Apple nicely in the field as they can dish out frequent updates to almost all Apple devices.