iPhone vs. Android

It seems that we are at the cusp of yet another computing revolution: the transition from personal computers to mobile devices. We have seen, and most likely will see, mobile devices replace people's laptop and even desktop computers. We have moved from a focus on expensive processors and bulky hard drives to cloud computing, where tasks and memory are completed or stored in the omniscient cloud. In the previous computing revolution, Apple was pitted against Microsoft in the ever-famous Mac vs. Pc battle. Microsoft managed to win the battle, gaining over 90% of the personal computing market. Jumping back to today, a new revolution has arrived: Apple against Google in the iPhone vs. Android battle. Ding! Ding!


In the left corner, we have the iPhone. The iPhone, like the Mac, is built with Apple hardware, runs an Apple operating system, is marketed by Apple, and is sold by Apple. On top of all that, Apple's App Store, Apple's iTune store, and Apple's iAds, are all watched over and controlled by Apple. What does this mean? On the good side, "It just works." Because everything is built for the iPhone, everything works well with the iPhone. Consumers receive a seamless interface and a beautiful product. And, if anything were to go wrong with the product, Apple Geniuses are waiting on the other line to help. However, on the bad side, Apple controls everything. This means that there is very little freedom with your product. The way it works is completely decided by Apple. The Apps it runs is completely decided by Apple. 1984, anyone?

In the right corner, we have Android. It's interesting to compare this revolution with the last one because Google is acting very much like Microsoft did. Google doesn't build the hardware, Google arguably doesn't market the phones, and Google doesn't sell the phones. This gives unparalleled freedom with the product. Don't like how the phone does something? Someone has probably already figured out how to change it. Google also gives a lot of freedom for the Apps it runs. Currently, the iPhone boasts higher quality and higher quantity in Apps. Article on App Store vs. Android Market. However, because Google gives such freedom to it's App creators, the Android Market will likely catch up to the App Store. There is also a bad side to all this freedom: because everything is not as perfectly-seamless, the user experience tends to be worse on an Android phone. The interface is messier, the phone is slower, and the whole experience just feels clunky.

The final decision comes down to a matter of personal opinion. Does one forfeit customization and freedom for a greater user experience? iPhone vs. Android.