As promised, here it is. The new feature blog: iPhone vs. Android.
Let me start by talking over what a "Smart Phone" is.
A smart phone is an internet-centric device that allows you to not only do what phones have done in the past (calls, texts, photos) but also internet. Browsing, YouTube, and (oh my stars!) the apps. Tons and tons of beautiful, amazing, time saving (and wasting) apps!
A smart phone is basically a phone and computer melded into one magic package. However, like a computer, phones have different operating systems. Blackberry, Apple, Android, and Windows.
First, let me skim over the less-popular operating systems (OS) that you find on well-known smart phones.
Blackberry OS- more of a corporate based system. There really isn't much rhyme or reason to the menu layout but it's great for e-mail... except a lot of attachments you can't view to the fullest. However, if you're looking to sync with outlook, look no further. The blackberry does that fantastically!
Windows OS- it's almost a blend of Android and Apple. It has a series of tiles you can arrange on your main screen and you can also keep up with your Xbox live account. The camera will load without having to wake the phone up first. The layouts to the menu are very similar to a windows computer system. I won't lie and say I care much for this particular OS, but the user reviews are high on the newest Windows 7 phone: the HTC Trophy.
Alright. With that out of the way, let's get down to the main contenders....
In one corner, we have Apple. Their product: the iPhone. (Verizon carries the iPhone 4 and now iPhone 4S. Sprint recently began carrying the iPhone 4S, and AT&T carries all previous versions mentioned but also has all the models prior.) I will be referring to iOS 5 (and the iPhone 4S) in this article as it is the most recent update and has a few more bells and whistles than the previous Apple operating system.
In the opposing corner, we have Android powered by Google. All carriers have a few Android phones to offer their clients with all different sizes of cameras, processors, and memories.
After a few rounds who would come out on top? Well, that all depends on you.
Apple OS (or iOS) has great graphics and simplicity to boot. You plug the phone into iTunes and it will activate itself. It syncs with iTunes (this is now possible over wifi) and has the power of the almighty icloud letting you download a song onto iTunes from your computer, and then pull it from the 'cloud' to your iPhone without syncing the two. The graphics are called "Retina Display" where the pixels are so small you can't see them with the naked eye.
The iPhone also has Facetime - video chatting with your phone. (Yes, folks, we have fully moved into the future!)
When you power on the phone, all your applications are staring you straight in the face. You can create folders (games, work, downloads, etc) and move the application icons into those folders for customization.
Also, the new iPhone has a feature you can speak to it (Call Bob, Navigate to Starbucks...) and it will do that for you.
Sounds great! What are the downsides?
Facetime is only compatible with the same versions of Facetime... so only on other Apple products such as iPods and MacBooks. On the Verizon network, facetime ONLY works over wifi as their network does not process data on the same port as their talk and text.
The iPhone can also not process JavaScript, nor is it compatible with Adobe Flash - two major applications that a majority of websites run. On an iPhone there are about 80% of websites that you are not able to view properly.
There is also the fact that an iPhone is sealed shut. You are not able to remove the battery or the memory - at least not without ripping apart your phone and voiding any warranty there may be on it.
Also, the app market may be big, but it's a closed app market. This means it has to have been built under Apple's strict policies. This isn't a bad thing, except that it allows Apple to charge you for a large majority of the applications.
Speaking of applications, make sure you are very careful with the predictive text on the iPhones. It has caused quite a few embarrassing and interesting conversations. For more information on that, make sure you check out:
www.damnyouautocorrect.com
The majority of the snapshots are from iPhones. Be sure to have a sense of humor when checking this website out as many of the auto-corrects are highly inappropriate... but very funny.
Last, but definitely not least, is the support for the phone. I will apologize in advance as I do not know how other carriers work, but with Verizon, an iPhone is hands-off. If there is a problem, you must speak with Apple. That isn't a huge issue in major cities, but out in the Twilight Zone (Forks, Port Angeles, Sequim, etc) the nearest Apple store is in the Seattle area. That's at least a 2 hour drive. You COULD call Apple Support, but if it's past 90 days and you don't have the Apple Care plan, they will ask you for a credit card number before you speak with a live person.
So, let's talk about the Android.
Android, as I said before, is powered by Google. You will need a Google account to access the market, but it will back up your contacts and if you do purchase one of the paid apps, your account will back that purchase up so you won't have to ever pay for it again.
The Android App market is an open-user market, making it so that other people can create apps and put them on the market for either a fee or for free. Android has had multiple apps available for quite some time allowing you to tell it what to do.
Also, many Android phones have larger screens and many of them had 8 megapixel cameras long before the iPhone.
Speaking of screens, the Android OS offers anywhere from 5 to 7 screens for you to customize with shortcuts and widgets (a program that runs on your screen so you don't have to open a full application)
Android is also the only OS currently working on any 4G LTE phones. Many of the 4G LTE phones can not only talk and surf at the same time, but they can also video chat over Windows Live, Google Talk, and Skype. (Many 3G phones including the iPhone are carrying a mobile version of Skype that allows calling but not video chatting.)
You will find a slogan with some Android phones - it says "Droid Does." Droid does flash, backup, and has many more customization options.
Sidenote: There are many android phones that are not labeled "DROID" - if it is labeled 'DROID' the company is paying out extra to Lucasfilms for the rights.
So, what can Android do that iOS can't? Flash, Javascript, 4G LTE, removable memory and batteries, customization.
What can the iOS do that Android can't? Facetime, Retina Display, and syncing with multiple Apple products. Also, Android doesn't exactly have simplicity staring you in the face. It isn't hard to customize it to MAKE it simple, but it doesn't come that way out of the box.
So, that's it in a nutshell - and I do mean that. There is so much more in depth about the systems it's ridiculous, but there's no sense in throwing out more information than what's needed.
If you do have any questions about iOS vs. Android, please visit your nearest retailer.
So, before I finish up, let me talk about a cool free app - again, this one is for Android. :)
Handscent SMS
Handscent is an app for SMS or texting messages. It allows you to completely customize your backgrounds, fonts, and even have special notification tones for specific people. It also gives you a quick reply box that pops up so you don't have to go into the messaging application, you can just reply when the full text appears on the screen.
I was very hesitant to download this app as I really liked just using my stock SMS (the one that came on the phone), but the more I play with Handscent, the more I'm loving it!
Thanks all for this week, m'dears! Be sure to tune in next week for an important message about getting your photos printed - including photos from your phone!
