Android

Android is a widely used operating system developed by Google. Renowned smartphone brands like Samsung, Huawei, and Nokia have opted for Android to power their smartphones, while other smart devices such as smartwatches, tablets, and smart TVs also run on Android software.  

Being an open-source platform, the underlying code of Android can be modified and utilised by anyone, although with the numerous modifications and updates that Google releases, it is now widely considered to be Google's operating system. Android's high degree of adaptability has contributed greatly to its widespread popularity.  

History of Android

Initially, Android was not developed for smartphones or other smart devices. When development began in 2003, the operating system was intended for cameras. Andy Rubin utilised the source code of Linux, another open-source operating system, to develop a universal operating system for all camera companies. 

However, in the middle of development, Rubin and his team realised that smartphones were the future. Thus, they transformed the operating system into a smartphone operating system. Despite facing financial problems during this time, they continued their work thanks to a generous gift from a friend. 2005 their hard work paid off when Google bought them for a whopping $50 million. 

The arrival of the iPhone in 2007 completely revolutionised the phone industry, meaning Rubin's team had to start from scratch. Android now had to work with a touchscreen. Despite this challenge, they persevered and released the HTC Dream, the first-ever Android smartphone. 

Advantages of Android

Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world. Below are the two biggest advantages of an Android phone. 

1. Download apps from the internet (sideloading)

   If you can't find the application you're looking for in the Google Play Store, depending on your device, you can bypass it with a few taps in your phone's settings. 

   Having an Android smartphone gives you the freedom to install non-Play Store apps. This means that you are not limited to installing only the best Android applications from the Play Store but also from third-party sources. 

2. Expandable memory
   Filling up your storage space is not a problem for many Android phones because you can easily expand your phone's memory. Through memory cards, Android users can add extra memory to meet their needs. You can store your favourite apps, photos, and videos on a memory card. 

The disadvantages

These are the main disadvantages of Android: 

• Hardware quality varies greatly. Because Android works with many smartphone brands, it is difficult to guarantee the quality of the phones. 

• Susceptible to viruses. Android does not come with standard virus protection like Apple, but users need to download antivirus software to protect their devices from damage. 

• You are required to have a Google account to use the Google Play store.  

Difference between Android and iOS

During the initial phase of the smartphone industry, Android and iOS were two distinct and separate operating systems. Each system had features the others didn't have, and they looked nothing alike. This division created an "Android vs iOS" culture that still exists today. 

But nowadays, Android can do only a handful of things that iOS cannot (and vice versa). Over the years, Google and Apple have learned so much from each other that the two are closer than ever. Even after 10 years, the war between Android and iOS rages on. 

The only clear difference between the two is how much control Apple has over iOS - and how Google doesn't have that same level of control over its mobile OS. For example, it's impossible to sideload apps on an out-of-the-box iPhone with only one app store (the Apple App Store). Apple also closely monitors the types of apps developers can create for iPhones. 

Android's biggest advantage over iOS is that you're not tied to one app store. 

The advantage of Apple is that iOS is more uniform and secure, and devices can receive updates for a long time. The downside is that the user has less control over what they can do with their device.