The battle between Android and iOS customers has been kindling because the very starting. Whereas events on either side argue about which working system is extra unique, Google and Apple have been copying one another’s homework all the time. That is significantly better than it sounds since prospects on either side can expertise a richer set of options whereas selecting the working system they like.
Android 14 and iOS 16 at the moment are two parallel strains, one pixel away. They will by no means intersect, which is clear when evaluating the iPhone 14 Professional Max to the Galaxy S23 Extremely. Nevertheless, they’re nonetheless progressing as two comparable platforms that cater to 2 units of distinctive customers. For instance, listed below are 5 options that Google carried out into Android following Apple’s introductions on iOS.
1. Gesture navigation
The mechanism for gesture navigation has been there for years. Nevertheless, iOS was the primary to implement it on a system degree with the iPhone X’s launch in 2017. I am conscious that some Android OEMs provided their very own executions of gesture navigation earlier than Apple. Nevertheless, this listing focuses on the official implementations of those options via Google’s vanilla Android, not OEM skins.
By means of the navigation bar on the backside, customers of the iPhone X and newer Face ID iPhone fashions get to swipe horizontally to change between open apps and vertically to set off Reachability or go to the Dwelling Display or App Switcher. Android customers did not formally get gesture navigation help till Android 9 debuted in 2018.
2. Granular permissions & privateness dots
Different notable options first launched on iOS revolve round customers’ privateness. Beginning with privateness dots, these indicators warn you if an app or service is actively accessing your microphone or digicam. The dots will persist within the standing bar for so long as an app makes use of these sensors. Apple first debuted them as a part of iOS 14 again in 2020. Google adopted go well with with the discharge of Android 12 in 2021.
iOS customers additionally bought approximate/exact location and single-use permissions first. By means of the previous providing, you can provide an app an approximation of the place you might be as a substitute of showing your correct coordinates. It is preferrred for native climate and information apps since they needn’t know your precise neighborhood to offer related knowledge. This characteristic debuted as a part of iOS 14, which Google then copied and included in Android 12.
3. Native display screen recording
Android OS first supported third-party display screen recording apps earlier than iOS. In the course of the working system’s early days, these apps often required root entry. Ultimately, customers may lastly obtain the identical outcomes with out rooting however as a substitute relying on the media casting API constructed into Android.
Nevertheless, so far as official implementations go, Apple included its personal model with the launch of iOS 11 in 2017. Google did not bake this characteristic into Android OS till 2020 when it debuted Android 11.
4. Notification badges
Notification badges, which shows a small dot on an app’s icon stating the variety of unread notifications an software has despatched, have been on iOS for over a decade now. Whereas some Android OEMs have supported it for a very long time, Google did not formally introduce it on its OS till 2017, with the launch of Android 8.
5. Blue mild filter
Lastly, Apple launched a blue mild filter as a part of iOS 9.3 in 2016. Google did not embody this characteristic on Android till model 8 launched in 2017. The characteristic provides a yellow/orange tint to the display screen, making it barely duller and simpler on the eyes. It is preferrred for individuals who scroll via vibrant pages on their favourite telephones earlier than sleeping or use their telephones when it is darkish out. Whereas there is no concrete proof relating to its constructive results on sleep high quality, I definitely discover it comfier when utilizing my cellphone throughout late hours.
As our listing reveals, there are many options that Android OEMs included on their gadgets earlier than the good iPhones or Android telephones carried out them. Regardless of that, iOS has been a serious affect on Google’s plans for Android, as many of those copied options launched on Android OS one 12 months after their iOS reveal. We acknowledge that Apple has additionally copied some Android options, so stayed tuned for that listing.