Next month is expected to bring three major announcements - iOS 6, Jelly Bean and Windows Phone 8 - for Apple, Google and Microsoft. With so much choice for consumers, it's time to take a look at what lies ahead for Android and Windows Phone.
At the Google I/O, it's expected Jelly Bean will be unveiled despite phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 recently releasing with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Features are unknown, but Google launched the Galaxy Nexus last year which offered the 'pure' version of Ice Cream Sandwich. There's every chance the company will do the same for Android 5.0, perhaps alongside the newly-acquired Motorola.
Windows Phone 7.5 was a major update for Windows Phone, the version Microsoft's smartphone operating system launched with. It brought features such as multitasking, ensuring the OS was competitive with Android and iOS.
Gmail
Users picking Android will find the operating system has direct integration with Google's services, such as Gmail. Google created a native client for the service, offering multiple labels, archiving, search and the ability to send links from non-Gmail apps.
App Stores
Google Play is the new name of the Android Market, where users previously downloaded apps. The market has outpaced the iOS App Store in the past, with the total number of available apps estimated to be around half a million. The downside is that Android's large amount of devices across a range of specifications means some apps don't run on some devices, whereas Microsoft sets minimum hardware requirements for manufacturers. The advantage for Windows Phone is developers have a benchmark for apps.
On the other hand, the Windows Phone marketplace is still relatively shallow. As the operating system is trailing iOS and Android, Microsoft is trying to convince developers to bring apps from platforms that are proven. Less apps also mean less services found on competing platforms, some of which may be essential to users.
Google Maps
While the service is available on platforms such as iOS, Android's version of Google Maps offers turn-by-turn navigation. Third-party apps are the alternative option on Windows Phone and other platforms.
Cloud Storage
Google Drive is Google's cloud storage service, enhancing Google Docs and rivalling Microsoft's SkyDrive service. Documents will show up on other browsers, and files - even if you don't have the program installed - can be viewed. That includes Photoshop.
Microsoft's SkyDrive service is directly integrated into Windows 8, and allows remote access and on SkyDrive.com. The service changed its storage options, offering 7GB free and 25GB for active users (with some terms and conditions). The 2.0 update of the service for Windows Phone brought features such as multi-select, and the ability to manage folder permissions from within folders.
Social Apps
Android offers apps for social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, while Windows Phone offers built-in integration for the services: the People hub brings together status updates and Tweets.
Customization
Android is an open source OS, meaning users are free to use the platform in any way. From repositioning apps, to downloading third-party launchers, to rooting the phone and launching a system-wide skin, Android supports it all. Windows Phone is more controlled, allowing users to pin tiles and reposition apps but following iOS by leaving control with Microsoft. It means Windows Phone offers a consistent experience across devices, though it's largely the same, while Android offers different experiences depending on the device.
However, the open source nature of Android means non-Nexus devices usually use a custom skin (such as HTC's Sense, or Samsung's TouchWiz). Custom skins can also affect battery life, with 3D skins such as that seen in the LG Optimus 3D Max offering less-than-consistent performance. By extension, the skins can also mean varying degrees of consistency in design.
Pricing
Both platforms offer a range of devices covering the low-, mid- and high-end consumers. Android phones usually fall within the $199-$299 bracket with a two-year contract, though older devices will probably be cheaper, while Windows Phone offers a flagship device - the Nokia Lumia 900 - for $99 on AT&T with a two-year contract.
