Apple’s iOS is one of the most popular mobile operating systems; it powers Apple’s popular devices, iPhone and iPad. The operating system was first released in 2007, around the time Google’s Android mobile platform was also released.
Years went by and both iOS and Android have developed. Now, Android is in its fifth major version with Jelly Bean, and iOS is at version 6, which will power iPhone 5. There are a number of features on iOS that were inspired from Android. Let’s look at some of them.
The idea of a centralized notification feature probably came about first in Facebook. Android is the first mobile operating system that has incorporated a feature called Notification Bar. This is the top bar on any Android device that has all the information about the phone (battery status, range, missed call and message information, Bluetooth status, etc.) This bar could be brought down with a thumb gesture to see more information about each icon.
In the version iOS 5, Apple has introduced this feature too. Here’s a screenshot comparing the feature on both OSes.
For downloading magazines and newspapers, Android has a newsstand. Companies like Zinio and Barnes & Noble have developed their own newsstand apps with Android. Apple iOS has recently come up with the Newsstand app for the customers to be able to download newspapers and magazines. Although it cannot be called a copy, it is definitely inspired by Android’s feature.
You probably know that you can split and move the keyboard on your Apple device. Just do a splitting gesture with your hands on the iPad and you can see the keyboard has split in the middle and become smaller enough for you to type better. You can resize it as well. This sort of keyboard customization has been already available on Android devices with the help of apps.
The feature had been there on Android ever since it was released. On iPhone, Apple included this feature only recently with iOS 5. The wireless connectivity option searches a device to see if there is iTunes available in order to sync files and settings. This makes the iOS 5 PC-free, thus capable of getting app updates and software patches ‘Over The Air’ (OTA).
On Google, the cloud storage feature had been available ever since it first came up with the operating system. The Google Apps feature uses cloud storage that syncs apps and settings automatically.
You know that Apple came up with the feature, iCloud only recently that powers cloud storage on iDevices.
Now, Google Drive service is available on Apple devices as well. However, iCloud is the best feature to use cloud syncing on any iDevice.
You have the facility to run apps from a locked screen on Samsung’s and HTC’s popular devices that run Android with their own user interface overlay. This feature was Android-specific until recently when Apple also started featuring this. You can now enable apps on iPhone’s lock screen as well.
We have been seeing debates on whether Apple will go up against Google or not in a legal battle. This is a difficult thing for Apple to do after having so many features on their operating system that are inspired from Android. In the future we will be able to see what other developments the operating systems come up with in the exciting mobile computing world.
Years went by and both iOS and Android have developed. Now, Android is in its fifth major version with Jelly Bean, and iOS is at version 6, which will power iPhone 5. There are a number of features on iOS that were inspired from Android. Let’s look at some of them.
1. The Notification Center
The idea of a centralized notification feature probably came about first in Facebook. Android is the first mobile operating system that has incorporated a feature called Notification Bar. This is the top bar on any Android device that has all the information about the phone (battery status, range, missed call and message information, Bluetooth status, etc.) This bar could be brought down with a thumb gesture to see more information about each icon.
In the version iOS 5, Apple has introduced this feature too. Here’s a screenshot comparing the feature on both OSes.
2. Newsstand
For downloading magazines and newspapers, Android has a newsstand. Companies like Zinio and Barnes & Noble have developed their own newsstand apps with Android. Apple iOS has recently come up with the Newsstand app for the customers to be able to download newspapers and magazines. Although it cannot be called a copy, it is definitely inspired by Android’s feature.
3. Keyboard Customization
You probably know that you can split and move the keyboard on your Apple device. Just do a splitting gesture with your hands on the iPad and you can see the keyboard has split in the middle and become smaller enough for you to type better. You can resize it as well. This sort of keyboard customization has been already available on Android devices with the help of apps.
4. Wireless Syncing
The feature had been there on Android ever since it was released. On iPhone, Apple included this feature only recently with iOS 5. The wireless connectivity option searches a device to see if there is iTunes available in order to sync files and settings. This makes the iOS 5 PC-free, thus capable of getting app updates and software patches ‘Over The Air’ (OTA).
5. Cloud Storage
You know that Apple came up with the feature, iCloud only recently that powers cloud storage on iDevices.
Now, Google Drive service is available on Apple devices as well. However, iCloud is the best feature to use cloud syncing on any iDevice.
6. Apps From Locked Screen
You have the facility to run apps from a locked screen on Samsung’s and HTC’s popular devices that run Android with their own user interface overlay. This feature was Android-specific until recently when Apple also started featuring this. You can now enable apps on iPhone’s lock screen as well.
Conclusion
We have been seeing debates on whether Apple will go up against Google or not in a legal battle. This is a difficult thing for Apple to do after having so many features on their operating system that are inspired from Android. In the future we will be able to see what other developments the operating systems come up with in the exciting mobile computing world.