Yes, you read it right, I mean to propose that Apple should take a long and hard look at the Android operating system for mobile devices and learn a few things.
Let’s leave aside for the moment that some manufacturers of Android smartphones, like HTC, generally makes beautiful and high quality hardware. For now, let’s also set aside other hardware-related issues like an exchangeable battery- just pop in another one if you run out of juice- and microSD card- just buy a bigger card if you’re out of space.
No doubt Apple took a major step forward with the release of iOS 4, adding things like multitasking. But my recent experience with a HTC Desire leads me to a few pointers that Apple should take from Android.
First, Apple, you should break the link with iTunes. We can already download apps and music from the iPhone so why not add a way of backing up and restoring without a computer? I understand your desire to not cut the umbilical cord, so to speak, but it’s going to have to happen anyway sooner or later. Perhaps you have some plans in this territory involving the large data center in North Carolina?
Related to the first point, let us do software updates OTA (Over The Air). I don’t particularly like the idea of having to connect my iPhone to my Mac, download an almost 300MB update file, then sit and wait for it to install and everything. Updating the Desire to Android 2.2 “Froyo” was much more pleasant. I got a notification on the phone, it downloaded the 90MB update over the air and installed it.
The next one is controversial but Apple, please let Flash at least be an option for iPhone users. Flash is now becoming available for Android users and so many will want to have it installed. Put a switch in preferences so users can turn Flash on and off at the very least. I understand your arguments about increased battery consumption etc. but by and large we still want Flash.
Finally, I have to say I love Android’s notification system. It’s all collected in one place and you don’t have to deal with pop ups like on the iPhone, numbers on icons, etc. Just drag your finger from the top of the home screen and there they are, all notifications in one place.
To be fair, let me leave this off with two things that Apple clearly is doing better than Android. First, the App Store is still miles ahead of the Android Market in selection, functionality and usability. Second, the iTunes ecosystem is still unrivaled although music, movies and TV are not available in the Middle East.
There you have a few things Apple should learn from Android. I’m sure Apple has already considered all or most of them and perhaps something is coming in future iOS versions.
This article was originally published in Khaleej Times.
