Five Reasons Why iOS Is Superior to Android

Upon its release, Google’s Android platform was expected to overtake Apple’s iOS in both functionality and popularity. While some might argue the former expectation was fulfilled, analysts state that the iPhone is still outselling Android powered smartphones and that the iPad is dominating the tablet market. The first inception of the Android operating system included application multi-tasking, push notifications, customizable wallpaper, a front facing camera, and compatibility with multiple carriers. These features, along with several others, were nowhere to be found on iOS. Since this time, Apple has caught up to Google and implemented many of the originally missing functions into iOS. In doing so, they have been able to maintain their spot atop of the smartphone market, and here are five reasons why:

1. Superior User Interface
The appearance of the iOS interface is sleek and modern. The vibrant colors and glossy graphics make the menus of the iPhone and iPad pretty to look at and fun to use. More importantly, the interface is laid out in a way that allows for new users quickly become familiar with the commands and menus of the platform. The interface of the Android OS is less clean-cut than iOS because requires the use of multiple buttons: home, back, search, and settings. Devices running iOS possess only one simple home button.

2. Compatibility with iTunes
iTunes has been the number one music provider in the United States since surpassing Wal-Mart in 2008. iOS can be used in conjunction with iTunes, allowing users to load their music library to their smartphone or tablet. Within iTunes is the Apple App Store which contains 425,000 applications. The Android Market application count is only at 200,000. A bigger variety means a greater chance to find the type of application you’re looking for.

3. Improved Multi-Tasking System
While iOS’s multi-tasking is not exactly “true” multi-tasking, it has essentially the same functionality as Android’s version of the feature, but without the strain on the battery life. The Android take on multi-tasking unnecessarily can leave applications running that serve no purpose but still wipe out battery.

4. Better Security
In March 2011, Google discovered 58 malicious applications for download in Android Market designed to track users’ personal information. 260,000 devices were infected with the malware until Google remotely erased the application from users’ phone. While the Android Market is open, Apple’s App Store has a rigid approval process that an application must pass before being accepted. Because of this, iOS has never had a security issue of that scope.

5. Consistency
The Android platform runs on a number of different phones and tablets, but the interface is inconsistent from unit to unit. This means users must adapt to a new interface every time they begin using a new Android product. iPods, iPhones, and iPads all have the same general layout and basic functionality, allowing for easy use and a shorter learning curve when buying a new iOS product.

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Will The New Amazon Tablet Be A Serious Competitor For the iPad?

The iPad has become one of Apple’s most lucrative products, selling over 25 million units in its first 14 months of availability. As a result of the iPad’s success, other businesses have been releasing company-branded tablets running on the Android OS. No Android tablet has proven to be a serious competitor to Apple’s iPad yet, but this may change when Internet-superpower Amazon throws their hat into the ring. Unlike some of Apple’s current competitors in the tablet market, Amazon boasts a large budget and big time name recognition in the world of mobile devices. Simply because of its reputation, the Kindle is still the industry leader in sales despite lacking features which have now become commonplace in its competition such as touchscreen and color display.

According to the Wallstreet Journal, Amazon will release their own Android powered tablet this October. Next to nothing has been confirmed, but the Internet is buzzing with speculation about the device. Amazon recently cut an exclusive deal with CBS, further strengthening Amazon Prime, their video streaming service. Since there’s been talk that Amazon might release their tablet bundled with a subscription to Prime, this move could influence prospective tablet buyers into investing in the tablet where they can watch their favorite TV shows. If Amazon bundles a subscription to their music streaming service as well, users could stream music with Wi-Fi or 3G and not need to worry about storing hundreds or thousands of MP3′s on the device, leaving room for more pictures, applications, and Amazon’s speciality: e-books. Reducing the need for massive hard drive space will mean the Amazon tablet might come out in smaller sizes and therefore with a smaller price tag too.

The potential rivalry between Amazon and Apple has the world of application developers rejoicing. iPad Application Development is already a booming industry; the Apple App Store has over 425,000 applications, 100,000 of which have been developed exclusively for the iPad. Paling in comparison, the Android Market lists a grand total of just 250,000 applications. An increase in competition between Apple and Android would benefit developers and users of both operating systems.

It’s feasible to assume that Amazon could make a big splash in the tablet market and become the iPad’s most serious competitor. Possessing a big budget and a recognizable brand name on top of potentially unique and innovative streaming services could mean Amazon is finally going to release a tablet that might get Apple worried that they could lose some of their sales. Both users and developers of applications should be excited at the thought of increased competition and therefore quality in the marketplace. This October, the world of tablets is sure to be shaken up thanks to Amazon.

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