Right now, we're currently waiting for two big operating system announcements from Apple and Google. The highly anticipated Android Key Lime Pie is probably a ways off considering all signs are pointing to Jelly Bean 4.3 coming out first, but the oft-rumored iOS 7 should be making its debut very soon.
Considering that feature rumors for both Android Key Lime Pie and iOS 7 are constantly flying, it's rather surprising that expectations couldn't be more different.
For Apple, the introduction of iOS 7 could be seen as a watershed moment. For many users, iOS remains the simplest of all mobile operating systems to use, but that hasn't stopped a chorus of analysts and tech writers from criticizing it as stale and boring. This is partly due to the fact that when rivals like Samsung and Android gain traction, the calls for a shift in product strategy get louder. But they may also have a point.
That's why it's interesting to listen to the discussion surrounding iOS 7. It's already heavily rumored that the new OS is undergoing a major redesign, headed by none other than designer Jony Ive. Tim Cook has called Ive the key to the whole project, and numerous outlets have reported that he has made his presence felt on every corner of iOS 7, even removing the software's glossy rounded look in favor of flat design and black and white colors.
Outside of aesthetics, however, there's also the worry that iOS is simply not capable enough to withstand the Android onslaught. One analyst has even stated that Apple needs a "killer feature" to remain relevant against the likes of Samsung. There have been rumors of new NFC capabilities and mobile wallets, motion gestures, and more. Even Apple's keyboard has fallen behind Android's considering its lack of any Swype-style capabilities.
All of this made Tim Cook's declaration that Apple will open up its platform more to third party developers even bigger news. There won't be Facebook Home on the iPhone, but Apple is clearly considering major changes for iOS 7 as it moves forward, including allowing more customization options. A total redesign, new features and customization options, and a more open platform? We could potentially see the biggest overhaul since iOS' initial introduction, and Apple has to balance all these introductions with keeping the system easy to understand. It's a tall order.
Compare Apple's predicament with Google's, though, and you get a completely different situation. None of this pressure really exists for Android Key Lime Pie. Rumors are constantly circulating, but they generally revolve around a new unified messaging system, a better version of Google Now, better widgets, and the like. With Android being the most popular mobile operating system in the world, Key Lime Pie can come and go with small but necessary improvements and make everyone happy.
In fact, users seem to be so enamored with Android that they simply want hardware makers to back off. Samsung's TouchWiz interface and proprietary software constantly comes under criticism from users who want the company to leave Android alone. The same goes for HTC. It's even gotten to the point where both the Galaxy S4 and HTC One will be offered through Google Play with stock Android alone. Add in the Nexus 4, the rumored Nexus 5, and the upcoming Moto X and we've suddenly got a party of phones that do nothing but run Android with no third party skin layered on top of it.
Apple is still a wildly successful company, but it obviously thinks concerns about iOS are more than just talk. It has a lot more on the line with iOS 7 than Google does with Key Lime Pie, which means its Worldwide Developers Conference next week will be especially interesting. Speculation suggests there won't be a new iPhone or iPad making an appearance, but it's likely that iOS 7's debut marks an even more important announcement.
