Android vs iPhone
Android and iPhone are software platforms for cellular phones. While "iPhone" can also refer to the phone itself, "Android" specifically refers to the operating system running on a phone or device.
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[edit] Software
[edit] Operating System
Android is an Open Source project headed originally by Google, and now by the Open Handset Alliance. The iPhone OS is proprietary software developed by Apple, although it is built on top of some open source components, such as WebKit.
[edit] Applications
Android has an open framework to allow anybody to modify the operating system itself and to develop applications for it. Apple provides an SDK for the iPhone that allows developers to access most of the iPhone's features, but is highly restricted.
Programs written for Android are usually written in java, although other languages also run on the JVM and host CPU.. All applications released through the iPhone App Store must be written in C, C++ or Objective-C. It is rumored that Android's Dalvik virtual machine may eventually allow use with other bytecode languages like Python and Ruby.
[edit] Features
Android is quite less polished than iOS. Android is very buggy. Android Issue List It lacks among other features:
- No on-device encryption Android Issue 8686: Add support for ActiveSync Device Encryption Policy Requirement while iOS has iOS 4: Understanding data protection
- No HTTP proxy support. Android Issue 1273: IP Proxy Settings for Wifi Network
- Worst of class search (worse than iOS, BlackBerry, Symbian, and Microsoft Windows Mobile). Android will not let you search on the calendar. Android Issue 2518: Search: Calendar app has no search. It will not search in any other field other than Name on contacts. Android Issue 3732: Search: Improve contact search. iOS lets you search most applications but Contacts Notes field. iOS will not search Contacts notes field
- No Screenshots Android Issue 6547: Screen shots
- No Underlining spell checker Android Issue 10332: Retrospective spell checking on all input fields as an OS feature
- No GPU Accelerated GUI Android Issue 6914: Make android use the GPU (if available) for UI and browsing.
- Android supports 4G networks, no current iPhone release supports actual 4G, despite the name.
[edit] Hardware
iPhone and the iPhone OS are exclusive to Apple Computer. No one can make an Apple branded iPhone.
The Android OS is available for use by any manufacturer or end user who wishes, and at no cost. The Android OS, due to it's open nature is also available for use on other devices besides just mobile phones, such as netbooks, umpcs/MIDs and even desktops.
[edit] iPhone Models
- iPhone (first gen)
- iPhone3G (second gen)
- iPhone3GS (third gen)
- iPhone4 (fourth gen)
the iPhone OS is also used for the iPod Touch series of portable music players and in the iPad tablet.
[edit] Android Phones
- T-Mobile G1/HTC Dream
- HTC Hero
- HTC Magic
- Samsung Galaxy (I7500)
- Motorola Droid
- HTC/Google Nexus One
- HTC Desire
- Samsung Galaxy S
- Several more
[edit] Upcoming/Announced Models
- Kogan Agora
Many phone manufacturers and cellular carriers have pledged support for the Android platform. Phone announcements are expected in the near future from Samsung, Motorolla, LG and many others.
Due to it's open nature, Android has been installed aftermarket by enthusiasts to such hardware as the OpenMoko Free Runner, Nokia N770, N800 & N810 MIDs, and Asus EeePCs.
