Its well know in the modern smartphone race how iOS and iPhone have changed the way people interpret smartphone OS and OEMs manufacture smartphones. Right from the time iPhone and iOS birth took place every other smartphone began to imitate iPhone and every other smartphone OS began to imitate iOS in most ways, especially Android. But eventually the differentiation between iOS and Android is taking place rapidly but sadly the roots remain the same in Android. Apple’s new tactic to handle Android is to license its related patents at Android at $15 per handset.
The good:
Innovation requires competition, its always true and will remain true. Without any competition there is a certain stagnations that is to happen which will eventually kill innovation. Even though Apple claims that Android has most features copied from iOS, Android still offers a refreshing look, appealing UI and unlimited customization. The various hardware options ensured it can reach out to masses and cater the premium segment as well. Apple’s iOS is supposedly the most stable, intuitive and user friendly modern smartphone OS. The simplicity and ease of usage is still to date unbeatable. The humongous app catalog it offers has a appealing UI and unbeatable variety as well. In simple words, it just works!
The bad:
Android has a major problem with OS upgrades, it being open source is proving to be a bane eventually. The OEMs are compelled to differentiate with each other by heavily customizing the OS which makes it really difficult to optimize the OS commonly for all the handsets they manufacture. Google might be prompt in releasing the new version of OS promptly with promising features but the OS is fragmented to such an extent that its literally becoming impossible to provide timely updates to all the handsets, a simple stat: Only 1% of all the android handsets use the latest ICS (4.0) version of android which was released 4 months ago compared to 40% (roughly) iOS users who is its latest 5.0 version. This is taking a really bad toll. Android again has the bad repute of battery life issues, most low end and mid range Android handsets have really bad battery life. Being an open source OS handling malware is literally proving to be a unbeatable battle. In a race to maintain their lead over other manufacturers they are pushing out new flagship devices almost every 3 to 6 months, some people might find this attractive but it again proves to be damage their customer loyalty. Image the sorrows of customers who purchase a premium handset at a whooping price only to know that its outdated in 6 months and not supported in after an year!
On the other hand the only negative we find with iOS is its stagnated UI. Its been 5 long years and iOS has hardly anything new with its UI. Its long lasting loyal fans are slowly feeling the pinch of using the same UI and are definitely tempted to try and get their hands on other OS.
The ugly:
What is more uglier that the patent wars that literally seem to be like street fights lately! Yes, each and every smartphone manufacturer are digging their valuable patent treasures and trying to sue every company possible even for the slightest feel of infringement of patents. But over the past few months Android is taking a major toll! First, it was microsoft who could successfully win the battle and has been getting every Android OEM to sign a license for a rumored $10 per handset manufactured. Analysts claim that microsoft is making more money out of each Android handset manufactured than each Windows Mobile handset manufactured. And now, the latest rumors claim that Apple is licensing out the patent violated by Android at a whooping $15 per handset.
So what now?
If the rumors come true and eventually all the Android OEMs are forced to sign an agreement with Apple to use the license then we can safely assume that each and every Android device will have to shell out $25 which is huge! With the fragmentation problem pestering android more and competing OS like Windows Mobile looking very promising can Android still fight the battle and lead the race or will it eventually perish in the patent wars? 2012 is going to be very crucial for Android and Windows Mobile, only time will tell the future of both OS.
The iPhone Help
The iPhone Help