With the advent of iOS 13, the age-old battle between Android and iOS goes to the next level. Yes, as we have the latest beta versions of both these operating systems, we can make compare them for features and functionality. Sounds interesting? Well, it is because both OS have remained a trendsetter in the mobility domain for many years and whenever they come up with updated versions, developers and app users watch their features closely.
Continuous Conflict is User’s Gain
Stiff competition between Android and iOS compels developers of both operating systems to come up with user-friendly and innovative features. Let’s take an example of the recent WWDC 2019 event. Apple has come up with a few features identical to Android Q features. The Dark Mode is common in both the versions. Let’s compare all the features now.
Comparison between iOS 13 and Android Q
- Dark Mode
This is one of the most anticipated features of iOS 13 as Android Q has already introduced this feature in its first Android 10 developer data released on March 13. Dark Mode will change a bright white screen into a dark black screen. Only a few pixels light up on the screen thereby reducing strain for eyes and preserve battery consumption.
Interestingly, Google has introduced a dark mode in the Pie (Android 9) version, but it hasn’t implemented. The company has shown even distribution of the dark them in the early beta versions of Android Q. On one hand, Apple is going to offer a dark mode for every app and screen, and on the other hand, a few of Google’s mobile apps like Gmail and Chrome have no dark theme yet.
- Privacy Protection
This remains one of the key USPs of Apple over the years and works well for the company to date. Here, it is fair to mention that Apple’s business model is based on hardware, apps, and services whereas Google’s revenue model is based on targeted ads. Therefore, Google has to use the user’s data to generate revenue.
In the recent WWDC event, Apple has reiterated its policy of protecting the privacy of users. A new sign-in method is also introduced to enable users to sign anonymously across various websites and apps. It can save Apple device users from tracking.
In recent times, Google has also started paying attention to protecting the user’s data. It reflects in Android Q, where the users will get more control over the shared information through various services and apps. Still, a visible gap remains between the approaches of two software giants when it comes to privacy protection.
- Reminders
Apple has redesigned the Reminders app in the recent iOS 13. Now it has new categories that assist users to separate tasks on the basis of urgency. A new AI-driven feature is also included to remind the users about the pending work.
Talking about Android Q, the same functionality is given in Google Assistant app. The users can just say, “Hey Google, remind me to…” and the reminder will come on their phone screen as per the schedule set by the users. Android app development services can utilize this functionality to come up with an engaging reminder function.
- Maps
Apple Maps has struggled a lot against Google Maps. In iOS 13, Apple has attempted to address the issues that lag the app behind than its Google counterpart. The improvements include better road information with more accurate addresses. What’s more, Apple’s Maps app is to come up with a 3D location view for a more engaging and interactive experience.
Google Maps, on the other hand, has a Street View feature for a 3D mode. But, the app keeps on offering more useful features with periodic updates. Google Maps extends its functionality even after the user has arrived. The Explore tab enables the user to find places to eat and roam in nearby areas.
It is fair to mention that though iOS 13 is catching up quickly in mapping, Android Q has still an upper hand.
- Keypad
Much awaited swipeable keypad is here in iOS 13. Google already offers this facility in Gboard. Many Android phones also integrate swipe-based keypads like SwiftKey as default virtual keyboards.
Gboard has many other capabilities apart from swiping. It is available in different themes and different languages. Though Apple has demonstrated the power of its swipe-based new keypad, QuickPath Typing, in iOS 13, a lot of things are still missing in it. So far, a new swiping keypad is sufficient to woo the Apple fanboys.
- Photos
Google Photos is an excellent app with almost all the necessary features. It provides a robust backup and excellent photo sharing facility along with easy-to-use editing tools. What’s more, Google’s Pixel phones have Night Site mode that we can consider as a height of photo service. It is easy to search for images of places, things, and even people through Google Photos as it is linked with the Google search engine. Additionally, Google offers free online storage of 15GB.
Apple Photos, on the other hand, has rich editing tools and the iOS 13 adds some more. One interesting feature is the user can adjust the intensity of lighting with a slider in a portrait mode. This ability can make the portrait more lifelike and attractive. When it comes to recognizing faces and objects, Apple Photos have proven their superiority as compared to Google Photos. But then, its capabilities are restricted to Apple’s users only, and it offers just 5GB of iCloud storage for free.
- FaceTime vs Hangouts
Apple’s FaceTime and Messages are by far the best apps for video and text chat respectively. End-to-end encryption and seamless communication between iOS and MacOS make these apps even more powerful and useful for users. Apple has brought some improvements in these apps in the recent iOS 13 version.
Talking about Hangouts, users can use it across Mac and Windows devices thanks to its web version. However, this version is not seamless, and Google has not focused on any of its communication apps including Hangouts, Google Voice, Duo, and Messages in Android Q. It seems that Android has shifted its focus on the performance of other apps and overall functionality.
If you compare FaceTime and Hangouts, you will find FaceTime more interesting and engaging at this point.
- Personal Assistant
There is no exaggeration in mentioning that Google Assistant is unarguably a clear winner to date. Apple keeps on failing the widening gap between Google Assistant and Siri over the years. Since the advent of Siri in 2011, Apple just struggles to cope with the growing popularity and improving functionality of Google Assistant.
Long story short, iOS 13 brings a new robotic (and yet more human-like) voice with a few tricks and tweaks for Siri. The upcoming iOS 13 will also have inbuilt Siri Shortcuts. This function enables the user to make personalized tasks for Siri. But when it comes to recognizing different commands and accents, Siri gets drastically failed, and this is one of the key reasons for its lackluster performance as compared to Google Assistant.
Google Assistant can be integrated with every activity done by the users. It is possible to make recommendations on Calendar and Gmail account for various appointments with the help of Google Assistant. Also, all Android phones have Google Assistant. The company has also implemented it into Google Home Mini and Google Home Max software, and Android car software. The company has showcased a range of personalization features of Google Assistant at the recent I/O developer conference.
Similarly, Siri is also available on iOS, MacOS, and WatchOS as well as on the HomePod. But, one thing is certain- Siri underperforms because of its access to the limited database, whereas for Google Assistant, virtually ‘sky is the limit’ in terms of database because it is supported and maintained by the search engine giant Google.
What’s more, Apple has marked the beginning of a new era in the recent WWDC 2019. Yes, with the advent of iOS 13, Apple has separated the ways of iPhones and iPads. Now onward, there will be a separate OS for iPads. It means that the latest iOS 13 version and all the subsequent versions will focus on iPhones only. As a result, we will witness more advanced iPhone application development services in the future.
Wrapping Up
Two software giants Apple and Google remain busy in surpassing each other by bringing newer versions of OS every year. Ultimately, we, the users, get the latest features and improved performance from our smart devices because of it. Here we have compared the recent versions of both iOS and Android, but it is fair to mention that both Android Q and iOS 13 are going to bring improvements in mobile app development with innovative features.
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