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Phone wars: why there's no "best" mobile platform

Posted on 13 Feb 2012 at 09:38

Paul Ockenden wades into the battle between iOS and Android

Hardly a week goes by without me stumbling across an iPhone versus Android argument in some place or other.

Whether on Facebook or Twitter, an online forum or down the pub with a group of mates, the “my phone’s better than yours” argument shows no sign of abating.

It’s an argument that annoys me on a number of levels: first, because it usually assumes that the iPhone and various Android handsets are the only players in town, which is plainly rubbish given the rise of Windows Phone and the continued success (at least here in the UK, if not in the US) of BlackBerry.

The whole premise of this argument is wrong, since there can be no single “best” mobile platform

But a more fundamental annoyance is that the whole premise of this argument is wrong, since there can be no single “best” mobile platform.

Right phone for each person

If my elderly aunt wants a smartphone, I’ll have no hesitation in recommending an iPhone, which does pretty well everything an average non-techie might need, and is very easy to use.

Updating Facebook pages, sending emails or viewing maps are all done with ease. I’m sure my aged aunt could use an Android phone, but I suspect she’d struggle with certain aspects; its user interface in particular, where settings aren’t always where you’d expect them to be.

On the other hand, when my young nephew needs to upgrade his phone, I’ll recommend he opt for an Android handset. He’s quite a techie, who will easily find his way around the Android interface. For him, flexibility is more important than slickness.

I also know he’d be philosophically opposed to what’s often referred to as the “Apple lock-in”, whereas for my aunt the corralled, hog-tied nature of the phone, and the stern quality control over its apps, are actually highly desirable – there’s far less likelihood of her accidentally clicking a link and installing half-baked software that trashes her phone.

Sure, app developers have to jump through hoops to get around Apple’s draconian approval rules, but I doubt my aunt would give two hoots about them.

If you really are blinkered enough only to consider iPhone or Android, I have a rather simple test to see which is better for you – I merely ask: “How do you ping a remote IP address?”.

If your eyes glaze over or you scratch your head then you’d definitely be better off with an iPhone, but if you shoot back with a smart-arse answer that starts “assuming you mean on Linux then…”, then it’s obvious you’re only ever going to be happy with a mobile OS such as Android. Anyone in the middle can probably safely choose either.

To achieve iOS’s slick and smooth user experience Apple has been forced to restrict the functionality in a few places

You can certainly do much more with Android, because to achieve iOS’s slick and smooth user experience Apple has been forced to restrict the functionality in a few places.

A diverting example

A good example is call diversion, which I was reminded of recently by Twitter follower and loyal PC Pro reader Neale Killick, who runs Basingstoke-based IT support company N2N Solutions. The iPhone offers call diversions of course, but only via a blanket on/off switch.

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User comments

Ping ping...

I have a Ping app on my iPhone, and an SSH terminal and RDP...

I have them on my Android phone as well.

I agree with you, there isn't one best platform, it really does depend on what you want to do.

I have an iPhone 3GS, a Sensation and a 7 Mozart.

The Mozart can't talk to our exchange server, because the certs are bolloxed up and, unlike Symbian, iOS and Android, it won't let you "accept the risk and continue." It just says that the server is one huge security risk and it isn't having anything to do with it!

That said, I find WP7 to be the cleanest and easiest to use interface, Android to be the most flexible and iOS to be a bit creaky and bloated these days. iOS also feels a bit old fashioned, compared to the other two - it isn't "Windows 3" old and it doesn't affect usability, but it feels like it needs a face lift.

Which one I use is very much down to mood and what I want to do.

WP7 still doesn't support Audible, which is a shame. My 3GS went through a period of corrupting my Audible collection, so I abandoned it as my audio platform of choice. So far, the Sensation has been reliable with Audible.

Podcasts are my biggest bugbear. WP7 will sync the podcast list, Android does its own thing and iTunes will, sometimes, actually sync my position in the current podcast, but it is inconsistent.

If I could combine the UI from WP7, the flexibility of Android, the Podcast syncing of iOS and the battery life of my old Symbian phone, I'd call that the best platform... As it doesn't exist, I'll just agree with you. ;-)

By big_D on 13 Feb 2012

What I like is BEST!!!

What a silly article. My choice is the best.

By wittgenfrog on 13 Feb 2012

Personal preference is what matters

People really need to get down to the phone shops and play with them. I've got an iPad and and Android phone. I wish my Android phone had the build quality of an iOS device and was as well supported by third party add-ons and apps. I wish iOS would let me change my keyboard, have proper background tasks and was more customisable.

(PS @big_D I prefer podcasts on Android because my apps grab them automatically in the background, no need for iTunes - just goes to prove it's about personal preference)

By fiendishlyclever on 13 Feb 2012

@fiendishlyclever

Yes, I use Google Listen, which pulls them down in the background, but I tend to listen to them on the computer, with good speakers, then grab the mobile and continue listening to the podcast, from where I left off, when I leave the house.

Faffing around trying to find the right place is annoying.

By big_D on 13 Feb 2012

Good article!

Well done Paul! Now in future, whenever we have an irritating iPhone vs Android debate, can we just post a link back here and save us poor readers pages of people whingeing? Cos we really don't want to know!!! Thank you most kindly! :^)

My choice? An iPhone because 2.5 years ago their app store was more comprehensive than the equivalent Android store. My choice today might be different (it really would depend on what's out there handset-wise and what my criteria for choosing are these days - the app-stores are now comparable).

I've bought a load of apps since then, so I'm locked-in to that platform now but it's fine for *my* needs. I also wanted an iPod (never having had one previously) and the iPhone does that fine too.

iTunes streams music throughout my home via several Airport Expresses and that all works off a PC (not quite made the switch to OS/X yet...) and I'm happy because it all works together and I can use my iPhone as the remote.

Great - that's me all sorted :^)

I can imagine someone else with similar requirements has the similar setup but with an Android phone which works equally well.

"To each his own."

By mrmmm on 13 Feb 2012

iTunes

If using iOS device means installing and managing it through iTunes, then no thanks.

Why can't Apple's devices use industry standards (e.g. drag and drop music over USB) as well as iTunes? My now ancient HTC Desire does this.

By ParimalKumar on 14 Feb 2012

Instacast and Downcast...

...download podcasts direct to your iOS device so no need for iTunes. Calendars and contacts, photos and bookmarks all sync in the cloud. DropBox, Google Docs. GoodReader if you really have to.

Funny how some folks think you're completely welded to iTunes, where everyone else can't see the problem - and as an aside, how is drag & drop in Windows Explorer any different to drag & drop iTunes?? Since switching to Downcast for podcasts last year, I don't think I've used iTunes - what was it for again? Streaming music around the house - that was it; works well. Oh, and buying stuff - I do that sometimes, when I'm not using Amazon…

By petermillard1 on 14 Feb 2012

Android

has the best logo.

By dubiou on 15 Feb 2012

Good article

I think it's definitely a small subset of people who start these arguments but they drag more in as they make unfounded or erroneous allegations against the 'opposing' system.

You get exactly the same effect in a number of arenas: in photography, for example, you have (amongst others) Canon and Nikon users. The vast majority accept that either system is as good as the other but there are always a few who just have to get in a dig. Then it all kicks off.

By qpw3141 on 15 Feb 2012

crApple

Everything Apple makes is designed to lock you into Apple's closed, anti-competitive, Apple-only ecosystem.

Therefore anything but Apple is the best.

By broccauley on 21 Feb 2012

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Paul Ockenden

Paul is a contributing editor to PC Pro specialising in smartphones, mobile broadband and all things wireless. He's technical director of a combined IT and marketing company, which works on websites and intranets for several blue-chip clients.