Why Android Will Defeat iOS

In this day, there are two (maybe three) major operating systems for cellular devices. Android, iOS and some may argue the Windows 7 Phone may be rising in the ranks; however, that is a side point. I've used Android and iOS to a large degree. I owned an iPod Touch running the most recent version of iOS for several years (upgrading all the way). I never thought any other operating system could match the streamlined, sleek, and responsive iOS. I was under the impression that Apple's software was the best there was. Honestly, I was holding out my contract upgrade in order to get the iPhone for Verizon. Nonetheless, my upgrade came and I upgraded to the best smartphone I could find: the HTC Droid Incredible.

I've been using the Incredible for about a month now and have been blown away by not only the responsiveness of Android but also the customization abilities. I have shown several of my friends the features (one of them being an iPhone user, the other being an Apple fanboy) and have won them both over to my side. Why? That is the question.

As you read in the title, I believe Android will defeat iOS. Not because I hate Apple or want them to fail, but because I believe one thing opposing the switch to Android and one main thing is hindering iOS. On top of that, there is one main reason Android will defeat iOS in the long run.

The first main flaw of Apple's approach is their constant streamlining. Yes, it keeps the user experience clean and uniform but it doesn't present consumers (as well as designers) the ability to get their product out to the world and possibly shake things up a bit. If an app doesn't fall under Apple's guidelines, BAM! eliminated. If another manufacturer wants to put iOS on a device, BAM! rejected. Henry Ford once said (and I am paraphrasing here) that if someone would have asked the consumers what they would have wanted to fix about transportation, they would have said faster horses. Ford invented the car and completely redefined transportation. Why do I say this? Apple sacrifices creativity in order to gain neatness in an OS. It sounds good now, but as time goes on, people won't be as happy.

I mentioned one thing that is hindering the switch to Android. Mainly, ignorance is keeping people away. People are uniformed about the uses of Android and don't take the time to learn the system. With time, however, this problem will be solved and we shall see the blooming of the Android OS. Secondly, the one thing that I believes throws Android at the top of the pile in the long run is the fact they are open source.

Let us make another analogy for a moment: Communism versus Democracy. Communism is a big-brother driven society. Everything runs through the head and everything is either approved or denied by the head. Remind you of someone? Democracy, conversely, is run by the people and the people make the decisions. Monopoly is prohibited and ideas float on the wind.

Linux (to an extent Windows) and Android have not fallen for this reason alone. Developers, manufacturers, and consumers can all take their ideas and, over time, perfect a product. People's combined strength can accomplish much more than a board of developers.

Linux is growing (much slower than some due to its confusing nature). Windows is the #1 OS used. Android (being less than 5 years old) is just seeing the beginnings of  its long and profitable life. Google has a bright future ahead. And so do all Android users.