Android and IOS: Different but alike

Android and IOS: Different but alike

In recent years, the popularity of smart phone kept going up. More and more smart phones are sold and a lot of people are embracing them. Smart phones brought great convenience to users, as well created opportunities for smart phone researchers. That’s to say, the wide spread of smart phones benefited both sides. At the same time, developing of smart phone systems becomes one of the smartest industries. Since time change, our technology growing and developing so much faster than before, back in 20 years ago, we can’t even image how much our phone can do now, we can use our smartphone connect to everywhere in the world. We know now two most popular smart phone systems are Android and IOS, one is from Google, and another one is from Apple. On the surface at least, Android and IOS seem totally opposite.

One obvious difference is that Android is an open environment system, which means costumers can have full control of their devices, and also can get software and apps from individual developer, not only from Google Market. However, you can’t do that on an Apple device, because IOS is a close environment system, Apple is the only one that has the control of the system, and Apple Store is the only place that costumers can get apps. Also, Apple Store will check every one of them by itself. Good news for it is that every application in App store is officially tested, it is safe; bad news is that a lot of pretty good soft wares are rejected for various reasons.

Other area of difference between Android and IOS is integration. Some companies focus only on their core industry. For example, developing an operating system and provide an environment for 3^rd party development. Others not only do these, but manage the process of development software to publicizing it. Depending on the integration of platforms, we sort them to four kinds such as full integration platform, market integration platform, device integration platform and no integration platform. The publicizing model of full integration platform is very strict. Its management range from device manufacturing to application release, whose representative is Apple. Apple’s factory produces iPhone, App Store and iTunes. The whole process is under Apple’s control. In contract, market integration platforms commit themselves to developing and selling software. Google is one of them. Unlike Apple, Google don’t have a factory to manufacture its own handsets, but only developed Android and set up Android Market for Android applications. However, companies like Google definitely have the capability to produce its own devices. Google is in good relationship with HTC, Samsung, MOTO, and so on.

In spite of these differences, these two apparently opposite systems share several important similarities.

Both Android and IOS have their unique SDK (software development kit), although there are some differences between them. The most important part of every developing platform is SDK, which enable 3^rd party developers to make software for the platform. Usually, libraries, debug tools and emulators are including in SDK. Similarly, people can download software they liked whatever they use Android and IOS because Android and IOS share so many software that they developed in their own application store.

Another similarity is that both Android and IOS use the touch screen. The most basic and common touch gesture controls used in applications are similar in both IOS and Android. The tap, drag, flick, swipe, double tap, and pinch gestures are typically used for similar actions across both platforms. The only gesture that has significantly different usage across platforms is the “tap and hold” gesture, which is much more commonly used in the Android platform to reveal a contextual menu of options or to enter a data selection mode.

In conclusion, as the representatives of open and closed environment system, Android and IOS are both loved and hated. Besides, Android succeeds the features of open environment system well because users can almost customize everything they want. For Apple, it’s a typically closed environment system, which manages everything ranging from development to device manufacturing. It’s thinking for system users. Although there are some differences, both Android and IOS have the same software market and applications that used by touch control. And, both Android and IOS have their unique SDK. Believe it or not, no perfection exists in the world, so none of today’s mobile systems fully meet the needs of users. The choice of system boils down to the needs of users.