Editorial: Android and IOS, compared updates



A new update for you smartphone enthusiast, is equivalent to a bouquet of roses for his wife, sent by her husband (the manufacturer) to see how long it takes them to her even after marriage (the purchase), to avoid their union will end in divorce, even with a lover (the change of the device, possibly manufactured by another company).
After this picturesque metaphor that seems taken from a nerd version of notes from a famous company that manufactures chocolates, you already foreshadowed by the title that will be the theme of this editorial: updates on the two most popular smartphone operating systems in the world, and IOS Android (it would have been nice to include Microsoft, whose policy in this area, however, will be clear only after the imminent arrival of Windows Phone 8).
Recall also that IOS is the exclusive property of smartphones (five in total, a year) / iPod / Apple iPad, and their updates are handled by the manufacturer. Android ecosystem however, there are many manufacturers, covering every price range and update management is entrusted to each of them, our comparison will be done with the Nexus devices, as supported directly from Google, which has no power as regards the update of the other devices (freedom has advantages and disadvantages, this could be discussed at length, but this will not be able to do it). Is clear from the first moment that is not my intention to assert the superiority of one of the two operating systems as other sites often try to do, since there is no absolute truth and you are free to have your opinion on this.
We start with a brief update on the OS and necessary history of Apple, at first without a name,IOS (for convenience we call this version all the way, even if the term is used in version 4) is presented January 7, 2007 But as innovative had large gaps (no mms or recording / playback, common characteristics at the time). Here's how the updates have improved the following:

IOS 2 : introduces a media player capable of playing video, the scientific calculator and the App Store, through which you can buy applications. The iPhone 3G introduced 3G connectivity and GPS, while the hardware is virtually identical. The iPhone 2G is updated.
IOS 3 : introduces MMS, a voice recorder and copy and paste. The iPhone 3G is instead equipped with more RAM and a faster processor and can record video and use some voice commands, and also has a 3 MP camera instead of 2MP. Both previous models are updated.
Now, it is unclear how IOS 3 and the completion of the first version of the OS from Apple, complete with many features known but that were still missing (MMS) and with excellent performance, but closed with limited customization. IOS 4 comes into play here, perhaps the only true full-bodied update of the history of IOS:
IOS 4 : multitasking, folders and the ability to change the background, in addition to video calling with FaceTime and Game Center. Comes with the iPhone 4, with new design, more powerful hardware, 5 megapixel camera. The iPhone 2G is not updated, 3G but with limited functionality, ie no multi-tasking and even backgrounds, but only folders, not to mention the complaints about the slowdown . The iPhone 3G but has all the functions except Facetime (given the lack of front camera).
IOS 5 : Siri, a shop for magazines,notifications bar similar to that found in Android, Twitter integration and a new look for applications for the notes, now called Reminders. Update both the 3G that 4, both without the Syrians, while the 3G is abandoned. The 4S introduces an improved camera and a faster processor.IOS6 : Passbook, updated Siri, Facebook integration and navigation of Apple with new maps. It is updated as the 4S (completely, but we do not know if it will be some limited features made ​​exclusively for the next iPhone, as was done last year with Siri), the 4 new maps will be updated with Apple, but without the navigation and maps in 3D, as well as the 3GS.
Here's how it has changed IOS in five years:
We now come to Android, beginning with the later versions with the 2.1 which was released the Nexus:
Froyo (2.2) USB tethering introduces the Wi-Fi hotspot and support for Adobe Flash Player, as well as enhancements to the browser, the system speed. A separate note is also made ​​for the introduction of the JIT compiler, from which derives a significant performance improvement. The Nexus One is updated.
Gingerbread (2.3) introduces a revamped user interface, better, full support for multitasking, support all 'NFC (only for the Nexus S that has one), a keyboard renovated, The Nexus One is updated.
Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) interface further renewed, with the theme and Holo Face Unlock, hardware acceleration and Android Beam. The Nexus S is updated, the Nexus no.
And here, as Android has changed, from the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus One, in less than two years:

This is shown by many strategic choices made ​​by the two companies, such as the Syrians do not make available for iPad 2 (which has the same hardware as the iPhone 4s) or iPhone 4 in short updates arrive, but progressively more incomplete , with the order to entice you to buy the latest model (or maybe I'm being naughty). However, when Google has updated all the features made ​​available for the updated models, so that the Nexus S has nothing less than the Galaxy Nexus except of course the specifications below. Also in recent years the progress made ​​by Android has been significant, and is evidenced by the image above that shows how Google's OS has found its own identity graphics in the latest version, thanks to the work of Matias Duerte and his team .

We must also specify a further aspect of the question: when Apple stops supporting a device, then it will no longer receive additional services from the company's Cupertino, while Google provides with Play some updates to software sector: for example, offline maps , which will also available for Froyo and Gingerbread , or updates to installed applications like Gmail, while other applications (Chrome for Android) are not available for earlier versions just in case they require features not found in (hardware acceleration), is perhaps dwarfed in an update such as that of Android 4, but is certainly a step forward. Summing up we are facing a year of reliable updates from Google , then with the choice of supporting the second year depending on how evolved the operating system for Apple's support extends to 2/3 years , but as stated earlier are often lacking the most important functions (Siri, workhorse iPhone 4S, or navigation, and new maps).

And 'fairly widespread opinion that Apple is better in updates, reiterated last WWDC concept with a graph where Tim Cook, CEO of California, showed the fragmentation of Android , of course, that 7% of spread  of the latest version Android would certainly be a two digit number (and much higher) if we took into account only the cost of devices from more than 500 euros , a price range in which to compete directly with the iPhone, but perhaps the great challenge of Android is just this today, it is now undisputed master of the low price category (under 200 €) and cavandosela very well in the mainstream: being able to sell as many as many smart phones Apple sells in a price range above 500 € ordinary people, not nerds or lovers, and who knows that the Galaxy S III , thanks to an unprecedented advertising campaign, will fail in the undertaking begun by S II before him.


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