iOS 4 os versus Android os: Pros & Cons

[merkat106]

Looking at smart phones today. I have used an iphone many times (the battery life on 3gs is not that good), but I was playing around with a Samsung that had android os.

The interfaces seem similar, but I do think I liked the Samsung's android phone better.

Truthfully, what are the differences between these smart phone operating systems? Facts/experiences, not opinions please!!!

 

[Dinesh]

I m sure you already know the features of iOS4 like multi tasking, unified mailbox, etc. Its all about personal preferences. I like the iPhone because of its widely available apps and its multi touch display. I have tried Android on Google Nexus One phone and I'd say its better than Symbian OS but not at par with iOS4.

 

[fireberd]

Personally, anything that is not Apple.

 

[blackroseMD1]

I've used an iPhone, and I own an EVO with Android. I would choose Android every time. First of all, it's very customizable. Everything from live wallpapers and custom launchers to custom ROMS. Android is an open source OS, so you can't really get yelled at to much for rooting your phone and throwing a deodexed version of FroYo on there. I just really like the openness of Android when compared to iOS. Also, Android has thousands of apps available now, so that's not really an advantage that the iPhone has anymore.

 

[eggyuk]

I've got a 3GS and my girlfriend has a HTC Desire so I've tried both iOS4 and Android Froyo (albeit with SenseUI on top) and personally I don't think there is much difference in usability between the two. If I had to go one way or the other I think iOS4 is a little nicer to use due to it being a bit more minimalistic but then that's just my opinion. The reason I kept getting iphones and will continue doing so is because when I got my first one the iphone was the best smart phone by far and now a few years down the line I have invested too much money in the app store to switch to android and start buying all those apps again for android.

 

[Teerex]

It is sooo funny how Master Fanboi No1 Daniel Eran Dilger stays completely silent on the Mobile Safari remote pwn jailbreaking.

On roughly drafted, nada.

On twitter, he shits on Android tho, but nothing about this. D'd something eat his tongue?

 

[geeve420]

I think it is personal preference. I have played with both ( I own a 3g, my boss an iPhone 4, and my neighbor and android based phone) I think they are very similar. I will say that next year for my upgrade I will go to Android simply because of Apples complete lack of customer service, or the fact that unless you pay for Apple care they won't help you over the phone.

Geeve

 

[Little Darwin]

I prefer Windows over Apple systems for the same reason I prefer Android over iPhone, and that is that there are multiple vendors that provide hardware and service.

In an Android forum, someone pointed out to me the main weakness of the Android... there are not any good "Pub apps" where someone can whip out their Android and show something flashy (and usually relatively useless) to impress other people and show them how wonderful their phone is. I can do everything I need a phone to do with an Android besides that.

My HTC Hero is my first true smart phone (formerly had a Palm Centro) and I am happy with it.

 

[BCXtreme]

Based on the poll results, I'm going to get bashed for this.

You can't declare a winner between iOS 4 and Android. As geeve420 said, it's really just a matter of personal preference. I can't say iOS 4 (what I use) has any clear advantages over Android, I can just say that I've used iOS since before Android came out, I have a large catalog of apps that I know and like, I like the interface and I'm used to it... I don't think I'd ever buy an Android phone just because I see no reason to leave iOS; it's always served me well, so as long as it stays honestly on par with Android in terms of practical functionality, why take the time and energy to learn something different?

 

[AvatarOfTheShip]

Android = Google = Bad
IOS4 = Apple = Worse

 

[BCXtreme]

Android = Google = Bad
IOS4 = Apple = Worse

That's pretty short-sighted. While I'd agree that both Apple and Google are annoying, their product quality is considered by most to be top-notch.

 

[Everlong]

Pros of iOS4 is that it's a million time easier to develop for. One handset, all the same spec, don't need to worry about anything. Android is harder to develop for. There's been a few apps I've bought for my HTC Desire that you can clearly see have been developed for an earlier Android phone.

I do prefer Android though, and each update it keeps getting better and better, and newer phones that are running Android are all coming out with similar specs, such as screen size etc. Especially now with Android 2.2 you're able to install apps to the SD card, bigger and better apps will start being developed.

Android is catching up with iOS4, and the iPhone is getting some serious competition now from HTC phones, especially with the Desire.