The competition between Apple and Google is getting intense as the two companies battle for supremacy in the smartphone business.
Last month, Google updated its Android operating system, introducing Android 2.2, aka FroYo. On Monday, Apple shot back by making its latest mobile operating system, iOS 4 — formerly called iPhone OS 4.0 — official.
Apple’s iOS 4, which will be available to customers starting June 21, includes some much-awaited new features such as multitasking that will allow users to listen to music, check e-mail and answer a call at the same time. Other additions are a unified e-mail inbox, folders that can help organize your apps and access to Apple’s digital bookstore.
But all this doesn’t mean iOS 4 is ahead of Android.
Read on to see how the latest versions of the two operating systems stack up.
iOS 4Android 2.2 aka FroYo
DevicesiPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS. Available for iPhone 3G and iPod Touch but some features not supported. iPad (coming Fall 2010). None right now but HTC Nexus One, Motorola Droid likely to move to Android 2.2.
AvailabilityAvailable to developers now. iPhone 3G S, iPhone 3G and iPod Touch consumers get a free upgrade on June 21. iPhone 4 available on June 24. Available to developers now. Available to some Nexus One users now. Updates to other devices “coming soon.”
TetheringYes Yes
Flash SupportNo. Apple says it supports only two platforms: HTML 5 and its app store. Yes. Beta version of Flash Player 10.1 available on Android 2.2.
MultitaskingYes Yes
Hot-Spot CapabilityNo Yes. Wi-Fi can be shared with up to 8 devices.
FoldersYes Yes
Copy and PasteYes Yes
Video ChatNative support (only on iPhone 4 hardware) Available only through add-on apps.
BooksSupport for iBooks to download and read digital books. Available only through add-on apps.
MusicAvailable through iTunes; automatic syncing with desktop iTunes. Streaming music only supported through apps. Built-in ability to play MP3 files, but no syncing with your desktop music. Streaming music available via add-on apps.
Apps200,000 iPhone apps 50,000 Android apps
AdsIn-app ads through iAds. Apple sells and hosts the ads and shares revenue with developers. Payment through iTunes. In-app ads available through Google Mobile ads. Adsense for mobile ads is in beta mode for developers.
E-MailUnified inbox combines multiple e-mail accounts. Threading of conversations. No unified inbox. Threading available in Gmail.
