iPhone | Android (esp. Nexus One) |
---|---|
It’s from Apple. | It’s NOT from Apple. (or: It’s from Google.) |
can change keyboard layout on the fly | keyboard language related to GUI language (not independently configurable!), but different input methods (not only keyboards) downloadable/switchable on the fly |
~150.000 Apps (most are gimmicks though) | ~30.000 Apps and growing, some well-known web-based services still missing as a native App |
Apple decides which apps get onto the phone/in the AppStore | very loose controlled Market store can install apps via USB or web download, even from Linux |
only syncs with one single iTunes, i.e. no Linux support at all, no sync at multiple places | supports USB HDD mode where you can use the microSD-card like a flash disk |
can sync with local software (e.g. Outlook) via iTunes | syncs mostly with Google services or Exchange, but custom apps available for ActiveSync, SyncML, Outlook, etc. |
supports Push Notifications via Apple servers | Push Notifications are a bit complicated and not native (e.g. IBM MQTT) but can use Jabber/XMPP messages via Google Talk for notifications |
Tethering depends on network carrier / paid | Tethering via different methods from free to $30 |
cheap iPhone OS upgrades in the future (OS2 → OS3 for iPod Touch was $9.95), new versions still support (almost) all old devices | Android updates depend on cell phone maker |
Apple forbids downgrades of software, even from 3.1.3 to 3.1.2 is not possible — even when they have broken a feature | You even get the instructions from them… |
you are limited to those service providers Apple cooperates with (“exclusive contracts”) | open for all network service providers |
can’t replace/change battery | spare batteries are available |
Apple’s sense of security is not the best: h-online.com | |
iPhone’s Headset has only 1 button (push once to Play/Pause; push twice to Skip Track) | Android Headset has 3 buttons (Last Track; Play/Pause; Next Track) |
only one App can be used at a time | Multitasking! |
Apps are limited to their own files (+Pictures/Camera), i.e. you can’t access file stored with a different App | Apps have access to all files in your Home directory, i.e. Images, Music, etc. |
somewhat sloppy (3G) | blazing fast |
can only have App icons on the Home screen, nothing else is configurable up to 11 pages with 110 Apps (more can be run by searching) | Home screen can have Widgets, Icons, Subfolders (for more Icons) and you can change the wallpaper (even to an animated “Live Wallpaper”) 5 pages, but folders allow for more Apps; also “All Apps at once” view integrated; searching is also available |
syncs fine with Exchange | doesn’t sync Exchange calendars |
have to check Inboxes of each mail acct | Unified inbox available |
“Apple forbids downgrades of software, even from 3.1.3 to 3.1.2 is not possible — even when they have broken a feature”
This is possible! Just search for “Downgrade iphone firmware” in google