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Android's Jellybean VS. Apple's iOS

Kristina Jackson |
May 17, 2013 | 1:05 p.m. PDT

Contributor

The droid and iphones have had an intense rivalry between OS's (creative commons)
The droid and iphones have had an intense rivalry between OS's (creative commons)
If you are considering a new smartphone, you are probably debating whether to get a JellyBean (Android) or an iOS (Apple) device. There are pros and cons to both. For many, it comes down to personal preference, however, there are things to consider about each operating systems before making the leap.

For those unfamiliar with technology lingo, an operating system is the software that makes it possible for you to enjoy five hours of Angry Birds on your phone or to speed through Safari on your iPhone. It’s also the same tool that makes multi-tasking possible and keeps track of all the files and directories you have saved on your Samsung’s Note 10.1 tablet.

The JellyBean

The first Android operating system was Astro 1.0, also known as Cupcake. “It was the first mobile operating system to pull off the pull-down notification window, and how users first learned the uses of Widgets and apps.”

Then came Android 1.5, an updated version of Cupcake programmed into Android’s “first touchscreen-only phone: the HTC Magic.”This initiated the line of mobile phones and tablets that were incorporated with operating systems named after desserts. 

September of 2009, there was Donut that gave users the option of text-to-speech technology. 

October 2009, was Éclair that introduced live wallpapers and a virtual keyboard

May 2010, Froyo incorporated Java V8 which made it much faster than previous systems

November 2010, Gingerbread added updates to the camera and battery life

Early 2011, Honeycomb was Androids’ first system programmed for tablets

October 2011, Ice Cream Sandwich promoted customization of apps and widgets

June 2012, JellyBean was introduced and programmed to be extremely fast and allow users to swipe through applications like butter. 

May 2013, anticipating the release of Key Lime Pie

Currently, Android users with  Samsung Galaxy S4, Google Nexus 4, Google Nexus 7, and the Nexus 10 tablets are operating on Jelly Bean 4.2.2. This version gains a ton of hype for the updates. User Interface updates has been made, by making the screen reflect swiping and touch commands quicker.

Predictive Keyboard features have been updated to detect grammar and you have the option to use your fingertips for drawing out words, along with adding a built-in dictionary. They also added a new feature called Photo Sphere, which gives users the option of taking panoramic photos. Miracast provides users with the option of mirroring their mobile screen onto a flat screen television through a HDMI adapter. 

The iOS

The iPhone 5 had a large announcement, but was not much of an improvement over the iPhone 4
The iPhone 5 had a large announcement, but was not much of an improvement over the iPhone 4

The first iPhone was released on June 29,2007. Even though the release was six years ago, the product design and user interface have not changed a great deal. The first iPhone was tied to a price tag of $399 and the newest release can be found at Best Buy for $200 more. At the time, it was the closest thing on the market to the perfect phone. 

Features from the original release included; a multi touch interface, SMS text messaging, and switching screen orientation and sync functions with other devices. One of the major drawbacks of the iPhone was the low battery life and a slow Wi-Fi connection. 

Currently, Apple users are enjoying the wonder of the iPhone 5 that was released on September 21, 2012. It is a little thinner than the original iPhone and has better battery life and Wi-Fi, and thanks to the invention of Apple TV, now anything you watch on your phone, can be mirrored onto your high def. television. 

There are rumors that the iPhone 6 will be available sometime next year. 

Operating System Visuals

Are the visuals important to you? If so, consider the following:

iOS hasn’t upgraded their visuals in quite a while. They still use the same design styles they have had for a while. Though these aren’t bad – such as rounded corner apps and sleek design – they might get a little old if you’re looking for something new.

JellyBean has a great, new look. One of the big selling points for many people on this operating system is that the visuals are fresh and new.

Navigating and Using Your Phone

When you get a new phone, it’s important to understand how to use the phone. There are some major differences between the operating systems.

iOS has been lauded as the smartphone operating system with the best navigation and interface since its inception. Luckily for them, this hasn’t changed. iOS is still extremely simple to get used to. The downside to the iOS interface? It’s pretty locked down, which makes for very little customization.

If you are looking for an operating system that allows you the ultimate in customization, JellyBean is what you are looking for. It is going to require a little more of a learning curve, however. Once you get used to the way JellyBean works, which won’t take long, the extra options and customization is a great option for many. Also JellyBean, is currently one of the fastest operating systems in the mobile and tablet markets. 

What Features are Important to You?

One thing that is important to consider when looking at these operating systems is the device on which the systems are available. Is it important that you have a wide selection of devices to choose from? If this is the most important factor to you, JellyBean is going to be your best bet, as iOS is only available on Apple products. Though both operating systems support 4g Internet on the go, there are other features of each system that could make or break your decision.

iOS has a great 3D feature on their maps, however, this is really the only spot where their maps shine.

JellyBean offers GoogleMaps, which offers Google Street View, as well as public transit directions, and more accurate maps.

Apple iCloud is part of the operating system, which allows automatic syncing. This is a great option for updating to all of your devices.

JellyBean also syncs to your Google account, using Google Services. This will sync with your Google email, calendar, books, etc

Deciding on the perfect operating system is a very personal choice with a lot of variance between individuals. What is right for you may not be the right option for the next person. When it comes to smartphone operating systems, what is the deciding factor for you?

 

You can reach Kristina Jackson here.



 

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