Both Apple and Google recently released latest versions of their mobile operating systems. A comparison was also made between the two developer's OS. It revealed each system's pros and cons. In view of their latest OS versions, iOS 8.3, Android 5.1, and Android 5.1.1, the three gave stability-related fixes, and support-related improvements. A table below shows the following comparison.
iOS and Android are both operating systems for mobile technology, such as smartphones and tablets. The iOS is developed by Apple, while Android is developed by Google.
A post by Diffen.com can give mobile users helpful information about the differences and similarities between the two mobile operating systems. The post includes some of the following differences:
- OS family
- Android: Linux
- iOS: OS X, UNIX
- Customizability
- Android: A lot. Can change almost anything.
- iOS: Limited unless jailbroken
- Easy media transfer
- Android: depends on model
- iOS: with desktop application
- Widgets
- Android: Yes
- iOS: No, except Notification Center
- Call features
- Android: Auto-respond
- iOS: Auto-respond, call-back reminder, do not disturb mode
- Messaging
- Android: Google Hangouts
- iOS: iMessage
- App store:
- Android: Google Play - 1,000,000+ Apps. Other app stores like Amazon and Getjar also distribute Anroid apps. (unconfirmed ".APK's")
- iOS: Apple app store - 1,000,000+ Apps
- Pros and cons:
- Android: massive hardware selection; and highly customizable user experience
- iOS: massive app ecosystem; deeper integration with Facebook and Twitter; iOS-only apps (Passbook, FaceTime, and others); interface is locked down; software upgrades; better privacy controls
However, this list of differences might be added as both developers released latest OS versions. Apple released the iOS 8.3 last April 8, and Google released Android 5.1 Lollipop last March 9. Further, recent reports spotted the latest Android 5.1.1. version in the SDK Manager, in which the version is expected to solve the memory leak problems that Android 5.1 Lollipop made.
The following table shows some of the fixes and features of the two latest OS versions.
iOS 8.3 | Android | |
version 5.1 | versions 5.1.1 | |
Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-related fixes | ||
Addresses an issue where some devices disconnect intermittently from Wi-Fi networks Allows use of physical keyboards to log into Safari web sheets, such as for joining a public Wi-FI network Fixes an issue that could cause Podcast downloads to stall when switching from Wi-Fi to cellular networks | Ability to join Wi-Fi networks and control paired Bluetooth devices from quick settings Excessive consumption of network devices when used Wi-Fi fixed Issues with wireless connections fixed | |
Device protection-related fixes | ||
Address an issue where Slide to Unlock could fail to work on certain devices Addresses an issue that sometimes prevented swiping to answer a phone call on the Lock screen | Device protection: if a device is lost or stolen it will remain locked until the owner signs into their Google account, even if the device is reset to factory settings. | |
Voice calling-related fixes | ||
Fixes an issue where hands-free phone calls could become disconnected Resolves an issue that prevented initiating FaceTime calls from a browser or 3rd-party app using FaceTime URLs | High-definition voice calls, available between compatible devices running Android 5.1 | |
Notifications-related fixes | ||
Increased reliability for Ask to Buy notifications | Improvements to the notification priority system, to more closely replicate the silent mode that was removed in Android 5.0. Notifications problems solved | |
App-related fixes | ||
Improved performance for:
Resolves an issue that sometimes prevented apps from rotating to correct orientation after switching apps in multitasking Adds the ability to report junk messages directly from the Messages app Fixes a bug where certain apps would not launch or update on family members' devices Fixes a bug that prevented family members from downloading certain free apps Improves reliability of installing and updating enterprise apps iCloud Photo Library has been optimized to work with the new Photos app on OS X 10.10.3 and is now out of beta | Fixes for sudden app closures Changes in the Material Design color palette (after users complaints, possibly for a higher version though) | |
Stability-related fixes | ||
Improves performance and stability issues that occurred when rotating the device between portrait and landscape Improves stability for Phone, Mail, Bluetooth connectivity, Photos, Safari tabs, Settings, Weather and Genius Playlists in Music | Improved RAM management Improved battery management | |
Accessibility API-related fixes | ||
Fixes an issue where using the back button in Safari causes VoiceOver gestures to not respond Fixes an issue where VoiceOver focus becomes unreliable in draft Mail messages Fixes issue keeping app icons from being moveable on home screen when VoiceOver is enabled Fixes an issue in Speak Screen where speech will not start again after pausing Fixes an issue where Braille Screen Input cannot be used to type text in forms on webpages Fixes an issue where toggling Quick Nav on a Braille Display announces that Quick Nav is off | Problems with Okay Google function solved | |
Support improvements | ||
Includes support for Baum VarioUltra 20 and VarioUltra 40 braille displays Additional language and country support for Siri: English (India, New Zealand), Danish (Denmark), Dutch (Netherlands), Portuguese (Brazil), Russian (Russia), Swedish (Sweden), Thai (Thailand), Turkish (Turkey) | Support for multiple SIM cards | |
Apple released a complete list of the fixes and improvements of the iOS 8.3. The release of Android 5.1.1 is said to be "later this week or next week", according to Android Police co-founder Artem Russakovski.
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