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I don’t know exactly where to begin. I am overwhelmed.
It’s like a parent forced to decide on who among his kids is his/her favorite.
This is however a debate that caught my eye. All the three companies are global
brands that have worldwide presence. They have not even celebrated golden
jubilee since their inception. They are dream companies to work for those who
are into programming and matters computer science.
The similarities are too much that continuity in
comparison will be an effort in futility. I will however attest to the fact
each of the three has shaped our life in a way. It may be directly or
indirectly. The fact remains that they are influencing how we behave and
interact.
Fuss aside, let me compare and contrast these companies.
My focus will try as much as possible to deal with specifics. I am concerned
with the phone industry. Alas many people have phones and focusing on things
like search engines and other services they render may not be much palatable.
Google has Android, Apple has iOS and Microsoft has
Windows Phone. These are platforms that smartphones operate on. They are the
operating systems developed by these giants. What’s your preference?
The approach I will use is that of a layman. It is devoid
of favoritism and bias. I will try to be neutral and perhaps splash figures
here and there to back my claims if that will give more credibility to the
analogies I hope to make.
Let me start with the most common operating system,
Android. The cheapest smartphones run on this platform. Android KitKat 4.4 is
the latest version on offer. It is however for those with high end devices.
Android is an operating system that is used by many mobile phones. It has
enabled every other Tom, Dick and Harry to afford a Smartphone. Google
continues to tweak its previous versions since technology changes each day. I
bet Android has the most followers or phones having the software.
Windows Phone was a late entrant into the market. It helped
revive Nokia which was on its deathbed. Windows has a bias for some phones and
it is restrategizing to perhaps occupy the middle and low end market sooner. It
may warrant knowing that Windows Phone was a successor to Windows Mobile which
is now defunct. This user interface is a close rival of Android given that it
allows many phones to operate on its platform.
iOS is on only limited to Apple devices, that is iPhones
and iPads. When it comes to matters technology, Apple leads others follow.
Allow me to say that Apple is currently the best brand in the world. It has
however been resistant to change. While other interfaces have quickly embraced
changes, ever since its inception in 2007, it has remained on a static platform
much to the chagrin of its lovers. But with iOS 8, much is on the table.
Late entry into the market may be a reason why Windows
Phone may not be as highly rated as Android and iOS. Windows Phone is fighting
for supremacy in the third place with Blackberry’s RIM though it has an upper edge.
Apple is however limited to the high-end market. This
means the platform will continue to attract only those who have a fanatic
following and love for Apple and not necessarily iOS. Google cheapened its
Android and as such it can’t compare with iOS.
When it comes to the homescreen, nothing compares to
Apple. Though technical to use, iOS is devoid of unresponsive screen that are
associated with Android and has clarity that is unrivalled. Windows Phone is
trying though windows are just but copy-cats. They copy everything Apple is
doing.
Microsoft needs to redefine or rewrite their script. They
are non-starters and it looks as if they only enter into an industry to deny
Apple clout which is not materializing.
Google is doing well. It is may lack chutzpah and suave
in the mobile industry but it compensates for this low down by continuing to
outsmart itself each time since it has a big platform in terms of those who own
devices operated on its software.
Even though Apple is not big in Africa (read expensive),
it still has admirers and its market capitalization has helped it to make a
mark as one of the best Companies overtaking Microsoft, hitherto a giant in the
technology Industry.
I must confess my love for Apple. I have not read much
about the other two but they are still doing well. But trust Gates, he is a
quintessential tecnosavvy business and global icon who is more renown than the
brand he created. I have to give it to Steve Jobs. His company has outlived him
in terms of being a brand. Luckily, Sergey Brin and Larry Page have also taken
the route of making Google the brand.
Ideally this piece was not even about the operating
systems. I wanted to demystify the three companies. I have come to a conclusion
that though all are very good. Apple still tops. Everyone has an opinion, yours
may differ but when it does base it on something worth talking home about even
if it is full of surmise.
‘Situonane.’
‘Situonane.’
