What's the Difference between Android and Apple Operating Systems?

Essentially technology is designed to make our lives easier (I’m not suggesting that it always does, but it’s supposed to ... stick with me).

What Google is trying to achieve with Android is one single homogeneous platform to be used across all handsets. The Android Operating System is available for use on all handsets (excluding Apple) from Motorola to HTC. It’s customisable and tailored to suit your needs. When you upgrade your handset – provided it supports the Android Operating System - it eliminates the trouble of getting used to another user interface as all your data can be transferred over from your previous handset.

Apple's Operating System, known as iOS, on the other hand, locks you into their operating system and support systems - it can’t be transferred to be used on devices other than those manufactured by Apple. 

When it comes to the difference in the apps that are available from each store - The Android Marketplace vs The Apple App Store - it’s difficult to determine a “winner”, as such, because it depends largely on what you’d expect from an app. Apple review all of the apps before they’re available to be downloaded, creating a choice of good quality applications for Apple App Store users. In contrast, Apps on the Android Marketplace can be loaded regardless of the content which has lead to a much, much wider choice in applications that are available, but most certainly at the cost of quality control.  

Android's vast availability on all handsets is undoubtedly its key success; however, if it’s not careful, their growth could quickly become a barrier to its own victory. The launch of Android 4, known as Ice Cream Sandwich, has arrived on the market, however instructions on how to install the platform, or the devices that the platform is available on, are yet to be revealed.

Apple may lock users into their operating system however in the long term their quality may lead them to triumph over Android's fast growth and desire for quantity.