iPhone versus android

Smartphones are all the rage in the mobile phone market boasting an ever-increasing market share. Though it’s tough to say specifically how they differ from traditional phones they can be best thought of as mini computers that boast phone connectivity. This enables such devices to access the World Wide Web, send email, play games and if they have the appropriate hardware take and edit pictures and video.
According to an Olswang report in early 2011, the rate of Smartphone adoption is accelerating: as of March 2011 22% of UK consumers had a Smartphone, with this percentage rising to 31% amongst 24- to 35-year-olds.

The battle between Apples iPhone product and Google’s Android is a clash of the titans of epic proportions, as wildly different aesthetic principles, design methodologies and underlying technologies go head to head in an attempt to win over the hearts and minds of the Smartphone user. Whereas iPhones iOS (Operating System) is available only on Apple devices Google’s Android is an open source product that since 2008 has been available on phones from a wide range of manufacturers. Google arrived late to market and has struggled to regain market share but continue to innovate. Uniquely the Blackberry maintains a large market share in the UK, coming in 2nd. This phone is far more likely to be used as a business tool than an all-round Smart Phone and users are far less likely to extend its capabilities by installing apps.
Since its 2007 debut, 500,000 applications have generated $3 billion for developers. (Android’s 400,000 apps have earned around $100 million.).

Apple’s take on the Smart Phone concept does it’s best to hide the technology and the phones operating system from the user. Apple provides strict guidelines within which application developers must create their products. The aim is to create a unified user experience and as this operating system extends to Apples iPads and even Apple’s laptop computers, users get to work within a familiar environment all day long. Recent innovations such as the iCloud can seamlessly share email, contacts, games, video and images between devices. Apple’s aim is become the hub of your digital life, encouraging the creation and consumption of digital media via their range of devices.
Android operates on a bewildering array of devices, each featuring differing hardware; it’s important to check your phone of choice can run the apps you require. Android phones are far more customisable, allowing users to tweak the user interface to a larger degree and make the phone their own. Two Android phones side by side may bare only passing similarity. Developers are also given a freer reign and much more radical apps are available for this platform.
Though Android is fast closing the gap your choice between the two may simply be an economic one. Whereas a Samsung H2 equipped with Android can be bought contract free for £79 an iPhone weighs in at a hefty £499. There are many iPhone deals available that will provide a free phone but most involve lengthy contracts.