The challenge
Recently we have witnessed the onset of
two big mobile OS upgrades; Android 4.0, a.k.a. Ice Cream Sandwich and Windows
Phone 7.5 Mango. It is a time movements in technology world are predominantly
driven by the software developers, rather than the hardware manufacturers.
Google, Microsoft and Apple enjoy increased influence over the mobile industry
than the hardware builders. Of course, the clash in the industry is now among
the developers of operating systems. Here we introduce you to a grand
comparison between Android 4.0 and Windows Phone 7.5 (WP7.5) Mango, the latest
versions of the two operating systems from Google and Microsoft. Google
unveiled Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) on Samsung Galaxy Nexus last week. Meanwhile,
WP7.5 Mango appeared on an array of smartphones including HTC Radar. Get
through the comparison below to see which of Ice Cream Sandwich and WP7.5 Mango
really tastes the best for a mobile user.
Comparison Attributes
User Interface
Both Android 4 and WP7.5 Mango do have
pretty attractive user interfaces. Android 4 actually combines the phone
interface of Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and tablet interface of Android 3.0
(Honeycomb). In other words, you can run phones and tablets on ICS that indeed
has an interface suitable for both. On the other hand, WP7.5 Mango is limited
for smartphones. Windows Phone is known for its Metro UI and social Hubs that
realize a fresh environment on the supported devices. You have a tile-based
home screen on Mango devices replacing the traditional home screen icons on
both Android and iOS.
Winner: Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich.
Android 4 obviously wins over WP7.5 Mango being an inclusive platform for both
smartphones and tablets.
Hardware support
Unlike iOS, both Windows Phone and
Android appear on lots of products. But these two platforms also have an
obvious difference in hardware supportability. The first one, WP7.5 Mango, only
runs on a limited number of products. Simply, the products that are from Microsoft’s
hardware partners like Samsung, HTC, Acer, Asus, ZTE and Nokia. It is not the
case with Google’s open source mobile OS Android. Any hardware maker from any
corner of the world can run Android on its products. As a result, we will have
lots of products on Android 4 ICS. The manufacturer list of Android contains
from Samsung, the premier technology maker to the start-up manufacturers.
Winner: Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich.
Multitasking
Needles to mention, multitasking is one
of capabilities a smartphone should have today. For a long period, we could
experience multitasking on our computers only. Now it is time to multitask apps
and programs on your phones also. After iOS 4, Android and Windows also
initiated the feature. Both new versions of Android and Windows Phone offer
great multitasking capabilities. But Android’s multitasking seems to be the
best as it has more potentials. Google emphasizes that ICS has an even “easier
and more visual” multitasking capability. Microsoft Windows is just new to multitasking.
Winner: Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich.
Social media integration
Google Android 4.0 ICS highlights deep
Facebook and Twitter integration. You can also run other social media clients,
but Facebook and Twitter are deeply integrated to the firmware. On Windows
Phone 7.5 Mango, on the other hand, you have great integration of Facebook,
Twitter, LinkedIn and Windows Live services.
Winner: Windows Phone 7.5 Mango
Apps and app store
Every mobile user wishes to have access
to as much apps as possible. On Android Market for ICS, you have more than
250,000 plus apps. In that place, WP7.5 Mango’s Marketplace, though refurbished
for the special version of Windows Phone, features only 30,000 apps.
Target Audience
Google just intends to bring together the
customers of its Android 2.3 Gingerbread and Android 3.0 Honeycomb under a
single roof with ICS. Microsoft as it admitted previously tries to form a new
ecosystem in mobile industry to give costumers an option except iOS and
Android.
Winner: Windows Phone 7.5 Mango. It a
stepping stone for Microsoft’s efforts to get more involved in smartphone
industry.
Verdict: Winner
It is not actually easy to predict a
winner between Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich and Windows Phone 7.5 Mango in a
simple comparison. Microsoft is yet to turn into a dynamic player in world
mobile industry. Of course, the Redmond-based software giant is in intense
efforts to gain a respectful place for its Windows Phone. The new Mango update
is certainly part of such an attempt. On contrast, Google has been in mobile OS
industry with its Android for last several years. Thanks to its open source
nature, Android platform has gained large reputation among costumers; and it is
even remaining as a looming threat for the dominating Apple iOS.
