Android Vs. Windows Phone

Author: Joe Pulido 10/18/2018

Android is the popular smartphone operating system out of the three main contender’s Android, IOS, and Windows Phone. However, in this article, I would like to talk about the two Android and Windows Phone. The similarities are obvious both have original manufacture equipment support in which both operating systems support array of hardware devices whereas IOS is only made by Apple. All three operating systems were made for touch screens.

That is where the similarities end. On the surface the concept is the same let users run software to engage socially via apps, be productive, and play games. Except Android is using a Linux Kernel and therefore is open source. This means that original equipment manufacturers do not have to pay anything upfront to use the operating system on their device. This also means that if a vendor decides not to upgrade to latest version of Android on that device then your device will no longer get the latest operating system. Eventually leading users to purchase another device just to keep updated. This has led to fragmentation on the Android ecosystem. Sure, there is more developers and apps on the Android platform but what good is that if Google is not preventing fragmentation within the ecosystem by promoting a uniform approach.

Windows Phone uses the Windows NT Kernel basically removing the Windows Compact Embedded Kernel giving full pc like functionality to smartphone version of Windows. Like Android Windows Phone supports original equipment manufacturer however since Windows Phone is a closed source operating system Microsoft controls the software. Microsoft charges a fee for hardware manufacturers to use the operating system and provides them with the latest version of the operating system for 5 years of device release date. That means if a new version of Windows Phone comes out and your device is a few years old then you can rest assured that you will receive the latest update. Giving the Windows Phone a more uniformed approach with no fragmentation.

In apps clearly, Android dominates Windows Phone since Android has more user’s worldwide, but the operating system looks like a plaything compared to Windows Phone. Clearly many people dislike the square tiles on Windows Phone, but this interface puts users at faster access to the app. Steve Wozniak quoted "I'm kind of shocked. Every screen is much more beautiful than the same apps on Android and iPhone." (Savov, 2012). Which personally I think is true. I have used Android and Windows Phone. On Android, the app icons look like M&M’s and on Windows Phone, they look like software. With a pinch of live tiles brings the magic to life on Windows Phone. You can get a quick glance of info from apps with live tiles on Windows Phone as on Android you have to launch the app or bring down the notification section.

The live tile feature is an advantage for social media apps when someone makes a post or likes one of your comments but are busy to launch an app. On Windows Phone, the operating system was created to act as a phone without disrupting computer usage. Android was created as mobile pc operating system of its own. Static app icons make Android seem dated in comparison to Windows Phone.

The Android phone contacts are not that impressive. Windows Phone contacts are called People and are integrated with social media like Facebook and Twitter. Giving users a more personal experience on the home screen of their phone. Also, the phone app works with Microsoft Exchange sync’s contacts to the cloud so if you get a new sim card you don’t have to import contacts over to the new phone the contacts go with you. To be fair you can also use Microsoft Exchange account on Android to sync contacts using a Hotmail or Outlook email account but no social media integration or live tiles.

Windows Phone lets you reply to text messages while driving using Bluetooth and Cortana. Cortana reads messages out loud then asks if you want to reply or ignore. If you choose to reply you can just say your message while Cortana writes the message down, then say send and Cortana sends the text message. This feature is missing on Android and I wish Google can implement the feature on to their operating system.

Both Android and Windows Phone can be used as pcs with a keyboard and monitor. However, on Android, this feature only works with a Samsung Galaxy 8 and above. On Windows Phone, it requires Windows Mobile 10 which is basically the last of the Mahicans. The Lumia 950, 950 XL, and HP Elite. Windows Phone gives users the ability to experience PC like features on more devices than on Android since Windows Phone is closed source. You do need docks to use the pc like features but on the new Samsung Galaxy 9 all you need is an HDMI cable and it automatically gives users a pc experience. Keep in mind though the apps on Android are not full-blown productivity apps. They are limited to a full functioning pc app but can get you doing stuff on the go.

Of course we'll continue to support the platform.. bug fixes, security updates, etc. But building new features/hw aren't the focus. 😟 https://t.co/0CH9TZdIFu

— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) October 8, 2017

Finally to close down the debate Microsoft did finally kill off Windows Phone as Joe Belfiore stated that Of course, we'll continue to support the platform.. bug fixes, security updates, etc. But building new features/how aren't the focus. On his Twitter account. This was due to the lack of app developers and user adoption rates. At face value is clear that the victory goes to Android, but I think there was a whole lot of potential for Windows Phone since Microsoft was really making Windows Phone a one of a kind user experience. I miss the People integration into social media, live tiles, getting the latest version of the operating system and the integrated keyboard. The lack of innovation within the Android operating system leads me to believe that at one point Android will be facing a crisis as Microsoft did with their mobile operating system. As a technology enthusiast, I do however hope that Microsoft considerers bringing Windows Mobile back in the form of their proprietary hardware Surface. In the end, I think Windows Phone could have won if they held on longer. Lack of fragmentation, unique operating system features, and pc cohesion is what kept me a Windows Phone fan. Painfully must admit that it’s gone now, and Android won the smartphone war. I hope they bring Windows Phone back. Do you want Microsoft to bring Windows Phone back as Surface Phone leave comment below?

Sources: The Verge Verge Website (Savov, 2012)