The two continue to rival one another in an epic battle of OSes as each platform attempts to one up the other in both innovation and excellence. But how exactly do these two updates compare?
Design
iOS 8 continues its design language stemming from iOS 7, while Android 5.0 Lollipop has revamped what it has dubbed “Material Design” for the first time since Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It seems as though Android’s revamp is an attempt to follow the modernist, simplified interface design that Apple has so aggressively pushed since Jony Ive took over the design of Apple’s software endeavours in addition to his hardware responsibilities.
Android’s new modernist aesthetic can be seen primarily in real-time shadows throughout the interface. Widgets for Chrome, Camera and Dialer also take on the geometric simplicity. Apple, however, has retained the sleek, flat look that it began pursuing with iOS 7.
Functionality
Multitasking on Lollipop 5.0 has been made easier and more intuitive, letting you find your calendar, music player, maps and whatever else within a few swift taps on the simplified interface. One great feature to highlight here is the ability to manage notifications directly from your lock screen. This feature simplifies call taking and many others, all without unlocking your phone.
Spotlight search has been amplified greatly on iOS 8.1, letting users search all aspects of their device, including the App Store as well as iTunes, offering more relevant search results. Much like Lollipop 5.0, users are now able to interact with notifications in a far easier manner, letting them thumb through their phone, and see what they need to see, as quickly as possible.
New Features
Android gains a great feature thanks to the contribution of Samsung’s Knox technology. It is designed to allow you to easily separate your personal and work data, enabling you to switch between each mode with the press of a button and a swiped unlock code.
Lollipop now integrates the search results you viewed in other apps and give you more relevant results.
iOS 8.1 may be holding fast with its native design elements from iOS 7 but is far from lacking when it comes to new features. iCloud Photo Library is makes its debut in this update giving users the option to back up their photos using primary storage or iCloud. Apple Pay is also a feature to be noted. NFC is used for Apple Pay, allowing customers to pay at checkouts directly with a wave of their phone. Unfortunately for iPad users this feature is only available for the latest iPhones and the upcoming Apple Watch.
For its newest updates to both the Mac OS and iOS, Apple has created a new program known as Continuity, which will allow users to pick up where you left off on each of your devices and continue your work on another Apple product via iCloud. Halfway done editing a photo on your iPhone, but want to move to a bigger screen for the final touches? Thanks to Apple’s newest feature, you can now handoff your masterpiece-in-progress with a tap of the save button. This feature only works with other Apple products, and requires iCloud for use.
Through these updates both platforms have greatly proved themselves in both functionality and innovation. It is too early to decide who the clear winner is, but it is difficult to forget that iOS 8 did launch with significant bugs, forcing Apple to step in with an emergency update shortly after its public release. Android Lollipop has not reported any similar feature-breaking bugs as of yet. However, whether you are a die-hard Android lover or and a continuous Apple customer, both companies will continue to attempt long strides in innovative design, and have to be respected for their efforts.
Winner
Sadly, we’re going to have to say that it’s up to you. If you are a die hard Android or iPhone user, you won’t find any major changes to deter you, and if you are still undecided, then your best choice is to go into a store and try both new operating systems and their hardware for yourself.
About the author -
Daniel Ors is a writer for Fueled, an award-winning mobile app design and development house based in New York, Chicago and London.
