Information technology is one of the wonders of modern science. It is a gift of the modern civilization that it has brought the distances closer among the each corner of the world. Information technology is playing a great role for each of the sector of the world. The main component of information technology, by which information transferring has became easier for all is the MOBILE PHONE. Mobile Phones, the most successful invention of 20th century, started as a means of communication, grown through substitutes for music players, cameras, organizers etc and has now reached even as substitute for a laptop. And today mobile world is all about iOS and Android.
One of the most fascinating rivalries in modern history is that between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. Today, over a century later, we have the rivalry between Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. Much like the aforementioned inventors, the two platforms fueled a revolution. iOS played a key role in defining what a modern smartphone OS should look and act like, while Android won the hearts of many with its openness and brought the smartphone experience to a broad array of price points. Now Android with its new candy Lollipop(Android L) and Apple with its new update iOS 8 is adding fuel to this fire. The releases of iOS 8 and Android L in the fall isn’t likely to change anything, and the iOS vs Android flame wars will surely go on. Here we will discuss about the new iOS 8 and Android L in detail.
iOS 8
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple announced the new version of the operating system which is iOS 8. It brings some major new features and user interface enhancements over iOS 7.The Golden Master version of iOS 8 was released to developers on September 9, 2014, and the public update was released on September 17, 2014.
iCloud
iCloud Drive is a new cloud storage and cloud computing service from Apple Inc that gives you the ability to work on the same files from different apps and devices. The service allows users to store data such as music and iOS applications on remote computer servers for download to multiple devices such as iOS-based devices running iOS 5 or later, and personal computers running OS X 10.7.2 or later, or Microsoft Windows . Documents created using iOS 8 can be saved on iCloud and later can be accessed using different devices.
Siri
Siri is a software-based speech recognition built by Apple as a personal assistant.In iOS 8 it is activated by saying “Hey Siri”, a feature that will be only available when the device is plugged into a power source.Purchasing content through Siri is now possible, and Siri now has support for 22 new languages.
Notifications
In iOS 8 the Notifications are made interactive.This will allow user to respond to messages from within applications without exiting the application.The developers also can create apps that allow you to access messages without leaving their app. Users can now add and remove widgets in Notification Center with the Edit button. This also allows the rearrangement of notification widgets. This feature on iOS 8 devices will motivate developers to produce more applications on the platform.
HealthKit
HealthKit is targeted at developers to make software that integrates with the new Health application. This allows users to track their steps, oxygen, sleep levels, and other health related data. Additionally, users can enter their medical history, so that the application can help serve them better.
HomeKit
HomeKit is a framework that allows developers to make software that controls devices within the home.It can be used discover, configure, communicate with and control devices for home automation. This will provide an easy way to control the devices used at home. Through Siri, the number of devices in the home that can be controlled via your iOS device will be limitless.
Developers are very much excited about the HealthKit and HomeKit because there is nothing comparable with them in the Android platform.
Android L
Android L is the latest upgrade for the android mobile platform. This was announced in Google IO 2014 on June 25 2014. Google gave a high-level overview of Android L during its Google I/O keynote, including what it calls Material design. Though all previous versions of Android have had a candy-themed name, this version is just “L” – for now.
UI Design
The version Android L (4.5/5.0) comes with an innovative MATERIAL DESIGN UI. All UI components behave as objects with much more realistic appearance and responsiveness.Other UI changes are in Notifications.
Notifications
Notifications will be displayed as cards on lock screen and also as heads-up banners, that can be interacted with, within apps. While playing a game, the game makes way for the Call Screen if a call comes. It is really irritating. It will be even more irritating if the call is from customer care. In Android L the call will be shown on top of the screen. You can choose what to do, without exiting the app or game. And there is a Do Not Disturb feature as well.
Security
Google developed a new unlocking feature that is very personal which will enable users to unlock their smartphone or tablet without giving their password or pattern. But this is possible only when they are close enough to a device like an Android Wear smartwatch.
Android Auto
Android Auto allow user to plug in your Android device and get a simplified interface with voice controls.Using Android Auto user can easily browse navigation and entertainment content, as well as take calls and messages. Once the device is connected you use the car controls, but the software remains on the phone. It looks very similar to Apple’s CarPlay, in form and function, and it will be interesting to see which platform the big manufacturers favour.
Performance
As for performance, Android RunTime (ART) will give improved performance and better Battery efficiency. Android TV, Android Wear, Android Auto and Google Fit are the new platforms that will run on Android. Android L now has additional platform features for developers. Over 5,000 new APIs were added for usage by apps.
Project Volta has been introduced for better battery performance and efficiency. New battery saver mode, Job scheduling APIs, Battery Historian (track battery consumption by apps while in use) are among other additions. New Graphics Functions are added for improved shades and game performance. This will give a PC like game performance for your Android devices.
Android L developer preview is available for devices like Nexus 5 and will be released by the end of 2014. Mobile platform is eagerly waiting for the Android Platform Release.
Conclusion
Big things are happening in the world of both Google and Apple. The battle for best mobile platform is very heated indeed with the upcoming release of iOS 8 and Android. Both mobile OS providers have put on a great show at their respective showing; the WWDC 2014 and the I/O 2014. Both Android L and iOS 8 bring with them a host of new changes that so far seem to have only good things to say about their respective owners. If you take a step back however, and look at the bigger picture, it seems that Apple is borrowing from Google while Google picks up from Apple, which makes it hard to say exactly which update will come out on top and please the users more.
