Recently, some in the Android community have expressed concern that Google’s development team may favor other platforms, such as iOS, over its own operating system. However, a closer look reveals that the Android OS continues to offer unique benefits that users appreciate. This includes deep integration, extensive customization options, and access to cutting-edge features found nowhere else. From the seamless operation of Google Assistant to the early release of innovative features and exclusive apps, Android remains the preferred choice to experience a wide range of Google services.
The integration of Google services on Android is better than iOS 
Google Drive and Google Photos are extremely popular on iOS, ranking highly in the Productivity section of the App Store. Their appeal is clear: the apps are well-designed, fast and offer generous storage options (15GB free, compared to Apple’s 5GB free tier). However, iPhone users may not fully appreciate the integration of these apps with Android.
Android users enjoy a deeply integrated experience with Google Drive, including automatic backup of device data and applications. This means important things like settings, contacts and messages are safely stored in Google’s cloud service and easily accessible from any device or app. The convenience also extends to Google Photos. Automatic uploading to Google Photos cloud storage is seamless on Android, providing instant backups and access to AI-driven organization and search features.
Google Assistant works better on Android than iOS 
Google Assistant is an example of the deep integration that Android offers with Google services. While iOS users and users on other platforms can use it as a standalone app or feature, Android users can call it from anywhere on their devices. This means they can say “Hey Google” from anywhere in their house, rather than having to locate a support device.
The level of control Android users have over Google Assistant allows them to perform tasks like sending texts, finding context-sensitive help based on screen content, and interacting seamlessly with third-party apps.
Moreover, the Google Assistant experience is highly personalized on Android. It learns from user habits, preferences and past interactions to provide customized responses and suggestions. By integrating data from other Google apps and services such as Maps and Calendar, it offers useful information such as when to leave for a meeting based on traffic conditions. These features are made possible by the deep integration of Google Assistant into the Android platform.
Android app integration with Google Maps is a step ahead of iOS 
Google Maps offers a superior experience on Android for a variety of reasons. When you tap address links on your Android device, it seamlessly launches the Google Maps app, giving you access to contextual information like nearby food and gas stations, as well as directions. While it’s possible to set Google Maps as the default on iOS, the experience will never be as cohesive or native as it is on Android.
Furthermore, the integration of Google Maps within the Android OS extends to third-party applications that use the Google Maps API. This means users can seamlessly switch between in-app maps and the actual Maps app. In addition, Android users benefit from extensive voice command options through Google Assistant, allowing them to find nearby places and navigate without having to touch or look at their phone.
Android users also have access to widgets on the home screen that provide convenient ways to interact with Google Maps. For example, the Nearby Traffic widget displays local traffic conditions on a live map right from the home screen. These features contribute to a more integrated and user-friendly experience with Google Maps on the Android platform.
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The Chrome browser on Android is more integrated than iOS 
The Chrome browser on iOS differs from its Android counterpart in several ways. While the iOS version may have a sleek look and a conveniently placed address bar, it runs on Apple’s WebKit engine, not Google’s Blink engine. As a result, it’s not technically Chrome in the same sense as the Android version.
On Android, users benefit from all the capabilities of Google’s web technologies and enjoy deeper integration with the operating system and other applications. Clicking on web links seamlessly launches the Chrome browser, where users can access their profiles, passwords and other personalized settings. This integration improves the browsing experience and ensures a consistent and familiar user interface across devices and platforms.
That’s right, on iOS, even though you can choose Chrome as your default browser, some system functions still lean towards Safari. This limits the seamless integration that Android users enjoy with Chrome. For example, features like Siri Suggestions often default to Safari, and the level of integration with Google Assistant and other Google services may not be as robust.
What’s more, Chrome on Android offers additional features such as tab sync across all devices, password management synced with your Google account, and seamless interaction with the Google Assistant for voice searches and commands. These functionalities are not fully replicated on iOS due to Apple’s limitations on how deeply third-party apps can integrate with its operating system. As a result, Android users tend to have a more cohesive and feature-rich browsing experience with Chrome.
New features for Google Apps launch earlier on Android than on iOS 
Google Assistant is a great example of how Android users had early access to revolutionary AI capabilities. Initially exclusive to Pixel devices, Google Assistant was gradually rolled out to other Android devices before launching on iOS as a standalone app. This has given Android users a head start in experiencing the potential of AI, from real-time language translation to personalized daily routines and context-based actions.
Moreover, Android users were the first to explore innovative features such as Live View for AR-based navigation and Google Lens for visual search using their device’s camera. These improvements not only demonstrated the strength of Google’s ecosystem, but also benefited from user feedback, shaping it into essential components of the Android experience.
Overall, Android’s deep integration with Google services and its role as a platform for innovation make it an ideal environment to experience the future of mobile technology. With a cohesive experience and early access to cutting-edge features, Android users continue to be at the forefront of mobile innovation.
Conclusion
Concerns about Google favoring iOS over Android have surfaced within the Android community. However, a deeper examination reveals Android’s unwavering strengths. Its key strengths lie in deep integration with Google services, extensive customization options, and a consistent array of pioneering features.
For one thing, Google services like Drive, Photos, and Assistant integrate seamlessly with Android, offering a superior user experience compared to their iOS counterparts. On Android, Google Drive offers automatic backup of device data and apps, ensuring that your settings, contacts and messages are easily accessible across devices. Similarly, Google Photos offers easy automatic uploads to its cloud storage along with AI-powered organization and search features.
Second, Google Assistant is an example of the deep integration that Android boasts. While it can be used as a standalone app on other platforms, Android users can call it from anywhere on their device, eliminating the need to locate a specific device. This enhanced control allows Android users to perform tasks such as sending texts, accessing context-based help based on screen content, and seamlessly interacting with third-party apps.
Moreover, Google Maps offers a superior experience on Android. Tapping the address links seamlessly launches the app, providing contextual information about nearby restaurants, gas stations and directions. While iOS allows Google Maps to be set as the default, the experience lacks the native cohesiveness felt on Android.