As the imminent arrival of Apple’s iOS 17 and Google’s Android 14 approaches, a notable discrepancy in their approaches to updates and features has come to the forefront. Apple’s iOS 17, laden with exciting upgrades, stands in stark contrast to Google’s Android 14, which seems to be taking a different route in the world of mobile operating systems.
A cursory glance at the press releases for iOS 17 and the absence of an equivalent from Google suggests a noteworthy disparity. This disparity was further highlighted by the flurry of articles questioning the whereabouts of Android 14 during Google’s recent I/O event.
While phone updates may have become somewhat routine, they remain a critical aspect of device maintenance, often delivering new features and essential security patches. Swift and consistent updates have long been a selling point for many of the top Android phones.
However, Google appears to have recognized the limitations of traditional Android updates. The challenge lies in the fact that manufacturers often need to introduce their own customizations or exclude updates for certain devices due to varying sales performance. For essential features like device tracking, relying solely on Android version updates may not be the most effective approach to achieve widespread adoption.
In contrast, iOS 17 by Apple brings an array of features aimed at enhancing the iPhone experience. Interactive widgets, akin to Android’s functionality, have finally made their debut. Additionally, iOS 17 introduces a call screening tool, streamlines sharing with NameDrop and AirDrop, and introduces a new Journal app. On the other hand, Android 14’s details have been sparse, requiring enthusiasts to dig for information rather than receiving official insights from Google.
This divergence is not accidental. Over time, Google has shifted a significant portion of Android updates to the Play Store. Observant Pixel owners and followers of Android feature drops have likely noticed that these updates are predominantly delivered through the Play Store. Unlike Apple, Google doesn’t need an entire OS overhaul to update apps like Messages, Podcasts, or Books; it can do so directly through the Play Store.
Google’s vision for Android 14 focuses on enabling significant features through API updates. For example, Android 14 enhances the quality of Instagram photos, enabling Night Mode and 10-bit HDR video across social apps. It also supports Ultra HDR for better general camera app performance. While Google may aim to deliver these updates through the Play Store in the future, it’s currently taking this approach.
Despite Android and iOS maintaining rough feature parity, Apple’s unique one-update approach sets it apart. This approach, often challenging to encapsulate in slides or packages, effectively engages users with new features. For iOS 17, features like iMessage enhancements, NameDrop, and voicemail updates are likely to garner substantial user engagement.
In contrast, Google has grappled with achieving mass adoption for features that require widespread acceptance. Features like Nearby Share, intended to rival AirDrop, often go unnoticed. Google’s attempts to introduce an iMessage competitor, RCS, have also encountered difficulties, with limited success in persuading Apple to adopt it on iPhones.
As Apple has separated system apps, allowing users to update them via the App Store, it prompts consideration of whether delivering app updates throughout the year could be beneficial for iPhone users. Features like changing the background color in response to podcast content in the Podcast app don’t necessitate full system updates.
However, frequent changes risk diluting the significance of more substantial updates. The failure of Google’s rapid pace in encouraging mass adoption has demonstrated the value of taking a more measured approach.
iOS 17 is slated for release in September, alongside Google’s Android 14. These releases promise interesting dynamics in the ever-evolving mobile OS landscape.
