Mobile operating system: Google's Android or Apple's iOS?
Smart mobile phones have opened their place among people and their features and capabilities are added every day. Every smart phone has a hardware and a dedicated software, which is called operating system.
When people buy a smart phone, in addition to the hardware features, they also pay attention to its operating system. Currently, there are two well-known and reliable operating systems. The first is the Android operating system, which belongs to Google and is used by many reputable mobile brands.
The other is iOS, which Apple has designed specifically for its products. Each of these two operating systems has advantages and disadvantages that affect the choices of customers and programmers whose job is to build mobile applications.
Comparison of Android and iOS operating system features
Apple introduced the iOS operating system in July 2016. A year later, Google also introduced the Android operating system in October 2017. The Android operating system is open source.
As a result, people have access to its code and can freely make changes in it or fix possible defects. The iOS operating system is closed text with open source components. Therefore, the possibility of making changes in the iOS operating system is less and more limited.
But in Android it is completely possible to change almost everything. Another limitation of iOS is to transfer files between computer and phone. Although photos can be easily transferred by connecting the phone to the USB port of the computer, iTunes software must be used to transfer audio and video files.
While this work is much easier on Android and all files can be moved through the USB port and the file transfer system.
The iOS operating system only works with Apple devices, such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
But Android is available on the phones and tablets of many prominent mobile manufacturers such as Samsung, Huawei, HTC, Sony, LG, and Motorola. There are many mobile applications for both of these operating systems.
Currently, it is said that more than 1 million mobile applications are available in Apple and Android application stores. However, according to surveys, the user experience of iOS and its mobile apps is more efficient and satisfying than Android due to the strictness that Apple has in releasing iOS apps.
Customer satisfaction is very important in this competitive mobile app market. Therefore, mobile application designers and developers are always trying to improve the experience and user interface, attract more audiences, and interact better with them.
Android operating system
The Android operating system is based on Linux and is designed and developed for use in smart phones and tablets. The Android operating system is regularly updated and its new versions are available to users.
Many of the world's leading manufacturers use Android as the operating system of their phones and tablets. Android mobile applications, which are available both free and paid, meet the needs of users well.
Android browser was called Android Browser in older versions. The browser used in the new versions of Android is Google Chrome, which currently has about 50% of the global browser market share.
Of course, it is possible to install and use other browsers on Android. The Google Maps service along with some other Google services is permanently available in the Android operating system. Android recently released its Voice Command service called Google Now. The Android operating system supports 32 international languages, including Persian.
Android applications can be called from the official Google market Google Play (Google Play) received. Of course, there are other markets for Android applications, including Iranian markets. Although Google does not restrict other markets, it does not recommend them either.
iOS operating system
Apple's mobile operating system is called iOS and it was originally designed and developed for iPhone phones. Today, Apple uses the iOS operating system for other Apple devices, such as iPod, iPad and Apple TV.
Many and efficient mobile applications have been designed and built for iOS and in the Apple application market that App Store (App Store) has been released. The iOS operating system and its applications are very stable and stable and have the least defects and problems. This is due to Apple's rigorous and detailed checks for registration and release of iOS applications. To download iOS applications from the App Store, users need to register on the Apple website and obtain an Apple ID account.
iOS applications can only be downloaded through the Apple App Store. Apple does not allow other markets to publish iOS applications, and if a market tries to do so, it will stop it.
Apple has released the FaceTime service for video calls (Video Chat) and the iMessage service for sending text messages, which communicate through the Internet and can only be used between Apple devices. The main browser of this system is called Safari, although other browsers can also be installed on iOS.
Apple's Voice Command service is also called Siri. In the early versions of iOS, Google Maps was used as a location service. But in recent years, Apple released its own map called Apple Maps, which was not very successful compared to Google Maps.
However, Google Maps or other location applications can be installed on the iOS operating system. The iOS operating system supports 34 international languages, although Persian is not included.
From the perspective of developers
The main factor in the success of a mobile application is its programmer and developer. Of course, having a prior planning and strategy for the launch and marketing of the mobile application, and its continuous updating, also contribute significantly to the success of the mobile application.
However, the person or group that does the programming of the application must have sufficient knowledge and experience in coding, and be accurate and fast in their work. Most developers are more comfortable with the Android OS because it's easier to code.
On the other hand, the programming language in Apple's iOS system is Objective-C, and it is not easy for all programmers to work with it. It takes a lot of time and experience to master the iOS programming language and use its best solutions.
In addition, Apple has established strict standards for publishing iOS applications in its App Store. This is why iOS services have high quality and stability, as well as higher prices.
What is Native application?
An application designed for a specific operating system is called a native application. For example, an application designed for Android only works with the Android operating system, and cannot be used on iOS, and vice versa. In contrast to the concept of Native, there is the concept of Hybrid. The hybrid application is cross-platform and can be used on both Android and iOS.
The advantage of native application design and development is its high speed and stability. Also, the native application can access and use the features of the smart phone, such as the camera, locator, and microphone.
Therefore, mobile application developers for different operating systems should be familiar with the features, advantages, and disadvantages of each type of application and use the appropriate type for their desired operating system.
Conclusion
In this article, we briefly discussed the differences between Android and iOS operating systems, and some of their advantages and disadvantages, and their features and limitations from the perspective of users and programmers. Of course, we didn't go into all the details of the operating systems and application building techniques, because the design of these topics requires a separate article and even a book.
In short, it can be said that Android is a more convenient platform for both users and developers. Also, there are many positive features in Android. Undoubtedly, Apple also has many important advantages, but due to its higher costs, Apple's market share is lower than that of Android.
