10 reasons why Android is still better than iOS
Back in 2013 we wrote “10 reasons why Android is still better than iOS”. Three years later, almost all these points remain the same, and for those that we feel are no longer relevant, new reasons arose to take their place.
It has been a good year for Android, considering the latest reports mention it has an 84.7% market share (as of Q3 2015), but with a bunch of competitors waiting in the wings there’s no time to rest on laurels. So in 2016, what are the ten top reasons we feel that Android champions over iOS?
Let’s jump in and take a look.
Devices… devices everywhere!
There is something for everyone on the Android platform. The sheer variety of Android smartphones from manufacturers like Samsung, HTC, Sony, Motorola, LG, Huawei, ZTE, and others is staggering. You can get a compact phone, something with a huge touchscreen, a stylus, a rotating camera, an edge screen, or even a physical keyboard such as found on the Blackberry Priv. Niche demands like dual SIM are catered for, and the flagship devices are on the cutting edge when it comes to specs. There’s also features you just can’t get with Apple’s devices, like microSD and removable battery. Yes, some Android manufacturers have moved away from offering these extras, but the nice thing about options is there are manufacturers that still do.
The same story exists largely for the tablet market too, with all sorts of different devices from the Pixel C to the Nexus 9, Xiaomi’s tablets, Honor’s tablets, Samsung Note tablets, and the list goes on.
Attracting a huge range of manufacturers and giving them license to run amok in terms of imagination has resulted in the widest variety of devices on any platform, even blurring the line between smartphone and tablet. Compared to the limited iPhone and iPad lineup, Android represents choice on a grand scale.
See also: Best Android phones (January 2016)
Sure, Apple has a few sizes to offer, but size is really the only differentiator there. The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, for example, have pretty much most of the same specs with the main difference being screen size and resolution. The same general argument applies to the iPads, even though there are more choices than with the smartphone counterparts.
Prices to fit your needs
This naturally follows on from the first point on our list. A wide variety of devices with different designs and specs means that Android has something for you at just about any budget. The exclusive nature of Apple’s products is in stark contrast to the inclusive nature of Android. Almost anyone can afford an Android phone. It might not be all-singing and dancing, but there are solid budget options that give people a true smartphone experience.
This is even more true in 2016 than it was when we first created this list in 2013. Not only do you have the Moto G line, but there’s the Honor 5X, a variety of BLU devices, OnePlus X and OnePlus 2, and even low-cost flagships like the Moto X Pure Edition and Nexus 5X. In contrast, the iPhone and iPad are prohibitively expensive for many, but a budget Android device doesn’t need to cost much more than an old feature phone. And if you can afford to spend somewhere in the $150 to $300 ballpark, you can find a handset that gives a near flagship-level experience with just a few concessions in order to keep pricing down.
See also: Best cheap Android phones (January 2016)
Affordability has been a key driver for Android dominance worldwide and it continues to be. If you want premium devices that match and surpass the iPhone or iPad then you can find them, but if you want a budget device, then Android is really your only choice.
Customization
One of the strong points of Android has always been the level of customization it allows. While Apple wants to keep control of default apps in order to maintain a homogenous software and hardware experience, Android lets you pick your own level of customization. This extends all the way from simple things like live wallpapers, to alternative keyboards, to custom ROM installs.
Detractors will always say only hardcore geeks care about this level of customization, but at the shallow end of the pool this isn’t true. Plenty of iOS users loved it when Apple started allowing third-party keyboards and basic widgets, and that on its own is proof that this flexibility is what people want.
Some manufacturers are even allowing complex hardware customization. Motorola has Moto Maker, LG has replaceable leather back plates, as does Xiaomi. Those are just a few examples of something Apple will never do for you. Consider yourself lucky to have champagne gold and rose gold available… that is pretty revolutionary for Apple.
Widgets?
Android’s widgets have long been a feather in its cap compared to the static rows of icons you find in iOS. Even Microsoft saw the advantage, developing the Live Tiles system for Windows Phone. Widgets are still a major advantage for Android over iOS. Simply put, you can see all of the information you want at a glance on your home screen without having to fire up an app.
And yes, we know Apple introduced widgets last September. Have you seen those things? They are very limited and live only on your notification area. Not the same! Android still wins here.
Multi-tasking
You can argue iOS does multi-tasking all you want. And it’s true, you can do multiple things at once by switching apps back and forth, but that doesn’t even come near to the level of multi-tasking some Android phones offer.
Take Samsung as an example, which introduced multi-window long ago, in which you can view multiple apps at once. Plenty of other manufacturers have also been doing this for years, even if we will admit this is one area where stock Android lags behind.
Meanwhile, Apple is playing catch-up by adopting similar features, a change that took place in 2015. Most of Apple’s multi-tasking features also remain limited to the tablet realm for the time being, however, and by the time they really bring it to the next level, it’s fairly likely that even Google’s “stock” vision for Android will offer some form of multi-window navigation.
Launchers
Grab an iPhone, sit next to another iOS user and compare your home screens. Oh wait, they look exactly the same! That’s not the story with Android.
If you want control over how your Android smartphone or tablet looks then you’ve probably tried out a custom launcher. You can choose from a wide variety of custom launcher apps in Google Play and tweak everything from your home screen layout, to your page transitions, to effects and even gestures. There’s no risk involved with launcher apps and you can really open up a world of possibilities.
A launcher also is good for those instances where you love a handset but maybe aren’t so keen on the manufacturer’s custom interface. A launcher goes a long ways in these kinds of situations. And if you are the kind who enjoys the freedom of Android but actually lusts after the looks afforded by iOS or Windows — there’s even launchers that help you achieve a similar look and feel.
See also: 15 best Android launcher apps of 2015
Custom ROMs
You can actually replace the software that came with your device with a custom ROM if you want to. This is essentially installing a new operating system and many Android users do it because their carrier or manufacturer is slow to upgrade to the latest version of the Android platform, but you may also do it for better performance or to gain access to some add-ons or tools. This is definitely the extreme end of Android customization and you need to exercise a little caution to ensure that you don’t run into trouble. That said, as long as you can follow a tutorial and your device is supported, the benefits can be enormous.
Hell, there’s even ways to install completely different operating systems on some Android devices, such as Ubuntu, Firefox OS, Sailfish, and the list goes on.
Google integration
Some years ago we discussed why Google and Android will prevail over Apple and iOS, and this specific topic is still one of the main reasons. Android devices integrate seamlessly with Google’s array of services. People are increasingly using their mobile devices to go online and Google is king of the web. Google Docs, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Music, Google+, Google Chrome…the list goes on, and Apple and iOS are not keeping up.
Sure, many Google services are now in iOS, but that deep level of integration simply isn’t there. And this is an important factor, because most of us use one or two… or three or 10 Google services. You want these to work seamlessly, and Android offers that.
Google Now
This stands out from the crowd of Google services and, while the excellent voice search has been rolled into the Google iOS app, there are elements of Google Now that you can only enjoy on Android. When we look to our technology to push things forward and offer real convenience boosts to daily life, the predictive and pre-emptive nature of Google Now as it seeks to fulfill your desires before you think to search, could be truly revolutionary.
Whether Google Now is better than Siri or not continues to be subjective, though. This is still a matter of preference, but here at Android Authority we believe Google Now is more straightforward and to the point, which is something we all look for when finding the right digital assistant. With Marshmallow, there’s also plenty of new functionality making its way over, such as Google Now on Tap.
More free apps and games!
It may be a double-edged sword, but you can’t escape the fact that there are more free apps and games on Android than there are on iOS. Sometimes ports of the same apps that carried a price tag on iOS are free on Android. There also seems to be a greater willingness to pursue the freemium or ad-supported model.
Sadly, this may be, at least partly, down to piracy concerns and, while more hits are being ported across, the ability to earn more from iOS development still means more high quality, premium apps and games release on iOS first. Android continues to dominate and we have seen a change here, but it remains one of Android’s biggest challenges.
See also: 15 best free Android apps
The industry moves fast, and so does Android
Bugs, lag, an ugly interface, a lack of apps – Android’s weaknesses have been systematically dealt with by a determined development team. The Android platform is unrecognizable compared with the first release and it continues to improve and evolve at a faster pace than the competition.
That big user base and the wide range of manufacturers producing Android devices can only drive further improvements to greater heights. While iOS stagnates, paralyzed by the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” school of thinking, Android continues to innovate and improve at a faster rate. Think about it. Android adopted NFC first, as well as fingerprint readers, and retina scanners, and mobile payments, and higher definition displays. The list goes on.
What’s important to you?
We’d love to hear why you think Android is better than iOS. Are your motives for choosing Android covered above or did something else attract you to the platform? Post a comment and let us know.
Apple Music on Sonos Officially Launching Tomorrow
Sonos today announced that Apple Music will be officially available on Sonos wireless speakers starting tomorrow, ending a two month beta testing period. Sonos customers across the world will be able to stream Apple Music content and directly access Apple Music features including For You, Radio, and My Music.
Over the course of the beta test, which started on December 15, Apple Music on the Sonos platform was tested by hundreds of thousands of listeners. Apple’s Eddy Cue commented on the beta test, calling it “great” and an “amazing listening experience.”
“The feedback from Apple Music members on Sonos during the beta period has been great,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “Sonos plus Apple Music provides an amazing listening experience at home – and we’re excited to offer it to all Sonos customers starting tomorrow.”
Beginning Wednesday, February 10, streaming Apple Music on Sonos speakers can be done by selecting “Add Music Services” from a Sonos controller app, choosing the Apple Music icon, and logging into the service. An Apple Music subscription or free trial is required.
Apple Music on Sonos has been highly anticipated as it was noticeably absent from the system when Apple Music first launched on June 30. Sonos previously supported the direct streaming of Beats Music and promised to implement Apple Music support before the end of 2015.
Ahead of the announcement of official Apple Music support, Sonos conducted a study on the positive effects of music listening in the home using an Apple Music subscription paired with a Sonos sound system. The study found that families who regularly listened to music in the home spent 67 percent more time together and ate together more often, among other positive effects.
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Apple Music for Sonos comes out of beta tomorrow
Sonos started supporting Apple Music in the middle of December, but then it was technically in a beta. As of tomorrow morning, that beta label will be removed — the service is now fully supported by Sonos. In our experience, being in beta didn’t really hamper usage of Apple Music with Sonos in our experience, but it’s good to know that things should be even more stable than they already were. The company now covers pretty much every streaming music service you can think of, but of course you still need to use the official Sonos app to play music on your speakers (unless you’re using Google Play Music on an Android device). Still, given how good its newest speakers sound, it’s worth that slight frustration.
‘Huge’ Number of Mac Apps Open to Hijacking From Sparkle Updater Vulnerability
A pair of vulnerabilities in the framework that some Mac apps use to receive automatic updates leaves them open to man-in-the-middle attacks, according to a report from Ars Technica covering a security flaw that was first discovered by a security researcher named Radek in late January.
Apps that use a vulnerable version of Sparkle and an unencrypted HTTP channel for server updates are at risk of being hijacked to transmit malicious code to end users. The Sparkle framework is used by apps outside of the Mac App Store to facilitate automatic software updates.
Some of the affected apps are widely downloaded titles like Camtasia, Duet Display, uTorrent, and Sketch. A proof of concept attack was shared by Simone Margaritelli using an older version of VLC, which was recently updated to patch the flaw. The vulnerabilities were tested on both OS X Yosemite and the most recent version of OS X El Capitan.
A “huge” number of apps are said to be at risk, but as Ars Technica points out, it is difficult to tell exactly which apps that use Sparkle are open to attack. GitHub users have compiled a list of apps that use Sparkle, but not all use the vulnerable version and not all transfer data over non-secured HTTP channels.
Apps downloaded through the Mac App Store are not affected as OS X’s built in software update mechanism does not use Sparkle.
Sparkle has released a fix in the newest version of the Sparkle Updater, but it will take some time for Mac apps to implement the patched framework. Ars Technica recommends concerned users with potentially vulnerable apps installed avoid using unsecured Wi-Fi networks or do so only via a VPN.
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Apple’s Siri topples Google Now in latest popularity study
A new study has revealed that less than one third of Android phone owners make use of Google Now’s voice recognition software.
The findings, reported by consumer technology research firm Parks Associates, show that Apple’s Siri voice recognition tech is more popular amongst users than Android’s equivalent.
Titled ‘360 View: Mobility and the App Economy’, the study says more than half of iPhone owners use Siri. On top of that, it claims smartphone penetration has reached 86% of U.S. broadband households.
Apparently, just under half (48%) of smartphone owners between 18 and 24 currently use voice recognition tech. When it comes to Siri specifically, usage by iPhone owners is said to have risen from 40% to 52% between 2013 and 2015.
Harry Wang, Parks Associates’ Director of Health & Mobile Product Research, said:
“Users, particularly younger consumers and iOS users, [are] exploring more intelligent features and interfaces, including voice control. The growing consumer interest in voice control features is driving this technology into new Internet of Things (IoT) areas.”
This latest study may cause some concern for the folk over at Google, who will be hoping improvements can be made to Google Now to make the service more widely used.
Google Now is a top tool with a whole host of features for Android users to play around with, so the findings of this latest study are rather surprising.
What do you make of the study’s results? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Norway to Force Accused Criminal to Unlock His iPhone With Touch ID
Norwegian police will force a 27-year-old man accused of drug possession to unlock his iPhone with Touch ID, according to local website Bergensavisen [Google Translate]. The police believe the confiscated smartphone may contain evidence about where he obtained the illegal substance.
The man, who reportedly admitted he was culpable, has refused to unlock his iPhone for police since being charged, but the Nordhordland District Court’s recent verdict allows Norwegian police to force the accused’s thumb on to his Touch ID-secured iPhone. Local police will also analyze his phone call and data history.
It remains unclear if Norwegian police are aware that Touch ID requires a passcode as supplemental verification after 48 hours of disuse, a restart, or three failed fingerprint entry attempts. The accused was arrested on January 25, so it may be impossible for authorities to unlock his iPhone with Touch ID without taking additional measures.
In the U.S., a Virginia court ruled that fingerprints, unlike passwords and passcodes, are not protected by the Fifth Amendment. In his ruling, Judge Steven C. Frucci opined that “giving police a fingerprint is akin to providing a DNA or handwriting sample or an actual key,” which is permitted under federal law.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
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Square Enix’s ‘Final Fantasy IX’ Launches on iOS App Store
Square Enix today launched the iOS version of its popular game Final Fantasy IX [Direct Link], which was originally released in 2000 for the Sony PlayStation. New to the iOS version of the game, players will be able to unlock achievements, activate 7 additional game boosters including a rapid-pace “high speed” mode, game autosaves, and improved high definition cut scenes and character models.
Gameplay Features
・Abilities
Learn new abilities by equipping items.
When fully mastered, these abilities can be used even without equipping items, allowing for nearly endless customization options.
・Trance
Fill your Trance gauge as you sustain hits in battle.
When fully charged, your characters will enter Trance mode, granting them powerful new skills!
・Synthesis
Never let items go to waste. Combine two items or pieces of equipment together and make better, stronger items!
・Minigames
Whether it’s Chocobo Hot and Cold, Jump Rope, or Tetra Master, there are plenty of minigames to enjoy when you’re not off saving the world.
You can even earn special item rewards!
Otherwise, the ninth game in the JRPG series will remain the same, with the story focusing on the adventures of a thief named Zidane, who finds himself in the midst of a war between two powerful factions when he kidnaps Princess Garnet, the heir of the war-torn nation of Alexandria. Last summer, Square Enix re-released another game in the series, Final Fantasy VII, for iOS as well.
As with part seven in the series, Final Fantasy IX takes up about 2GB of storage space on an iPhone, but requires over 8GB of free space to download. Square Enix encourages users to “make sure that ample spare memory is available” before attempting to begin the game’s download.
Final Fantasy IX is compatible with the iPhone 5s or later, iPad 4th generation or later, iPad mini 2 or later, and the iPod touch 6th generation. All devices will need a version of iOS 7 or any recent iOS update to run the game. Square Enix is also running a sale for Final Fantasy IX‘s launch, so starting today and until February 21 users can download the game at a discounted price of $16.99.
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Homemade Robot Masters iPhone Game and Voice Dictation
A new video by YouTube user Junya Sakamoto posted over the weekend shows off a homemade robot, created by Sakamoto, that masters the trickiest stages of popular mobile game Puzzles and Dragons (via Kotaku). The four minute video uploaded to Sakamoto’s self-titled YouTube channel details the initial creation and design of the robot to the final, tangible realization of the iPhone game-beating device.
Puzzles and Dragons requires users to match colored orbs to defeat monsters, with patterns that get increasingly tricky the further the game progresses. Connected to a laptop, the robot analyzes and predicts the best moves possible in the current level, resulting in high-scoring combos that would be extremely difficult for the game’s players to naturally achieve.
In an earlier video (the first of only two on Sakamoto’s channel), the robot’s creator uses an attached microphone to dictate commands to the device and navigate the iPhone without touching it. Using only voice, the robot unlocks the iPhone, transcribes a note, and even plays a piano app.
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Adonit Announces New ‘Switch’ and ‘Mark’ Styluses
Adonit, a company that makes a range of popular styluses for iOS devices, today announced the launch of two new products — the Adonit Mark and the Adonit Switch. The Adonit Mark is an entry-level stylus that’s priced affordably while the Adonit Switch offers a more premium experience.
Adonit’s Mark is a standard mesh-tipped stylus with a few features to set it apart from competitors, including an anti-roll design and an aluminum body in either silver or black to match Apple’s Silver and Space Gray iOS devices.
The Adonit Switch is a convertible stylus that bundles a ballpoint pen with one of Adonit’s signature clear plastic precision stylus tips. One end contains a standard 0.8mm ballpoint pen tip, while the other works with all of Apple’s iOS devices. Like the Mark, it comes in silver and black.
Both the Switch and the Mark are available from the Adonit website. The Mark is priced at $12.99 and the Switch is priced at $39.99.
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Apple Stores Now Offering Belkin Screen Protector Application
As of today, Apple Stores across the United States and around the world are offering a new system that allows Apple Store employees to apply Belkin-branded screen protectors for iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, and 6s Plus customers. Many stores across the world began rolling out the Belkin ScreenCare+ Application System last week, but the system is officially available in retail stores starting this morning.
Belkin’s ScreenCare+ Application System lets Apple Store employees accurately and precisely apply screen protectors using a ScreenCare+ machine. When a customer purchases either a Belkin TrueClear Invisiglass Screen Protector or a Belkin TrueClear Anti-Glare Screen Protector, an Apple retail employee who has been trained in the application method will bring the ScreenCare+ machine from the back of the store.
Using the machine, the employee will clean a customer’s iPhone display and then apply the screen protector directly in front of the customer. Should a mistake be made during the application process, a new screen protector will be applied at no cost to the customer.
The Belkin screen protector application service should greatly cut down on the hassle involved with applying a screen protector at home. With Belkin’s machine, there’s less room for error as alignment is automatic and there’s little chance of dust or debris accidentally getting stuck under the screen protector.
ScreenCare+ is available at Apple Stores worldwide, but screen protector application is limited to Apple’s latest iPhones – the iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, and 6s Plus. Belkin’s Invisiglass screen protector is made from an ultra-thin, flexible glass that absorbs shock and is shatterproof while preserving the natural feel of the iPhone. The Anti-Glare screen protector reduces glare to improve visibility in bright light while also protecting the iPhone display from damage.
Screen protectors can be purchased from Apple retail stores and applied by Apple Store employees starting immediately.
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