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4 things Android can do to beat iOS

The gloves are off

4 things Android can do to beat iOS
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iOS is now miles ahead of Android.

Thanks to the highly innovative 3D touch feature and the iPad Pro, which finally offers a solid tablet solution to working on the go, 2015 was the year that the gap got really wide.

This isn't the first time Apple has innovated and left Google's platform found wanting, either. Apple Pay and Touch ID are just a few examples of past efforts.

However, it would be wrong to suggest that Android doesn't come with its own merits. It's generally a more open platform, it's cheaper, and the OS has a few quirks of its own like Google Now.

It just seems that Android has settled for second place and, rather than innovate, just copies its competitors.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are six things Android can do to regain the upper hand over iOS.

Use the Nexus range to provide innovation

The Nexus range of devices are Android flagships and Google releases them yearly - in partnership with a manufacturer - to show off the brand new version of its OS.

While these devices are traditionally solid and offer value for money, you often get the impression that much more could be done with them. Why, for example, isn't Google using this range to test out new features and provide proper innovation in the mobile and tablet market?

Google should treat the Nexus devices like Apple treats the iPhone and iPad and try and push new features like Touch ID, Apple Pay, or 3D Touch to woo customers over from iOS and onto Android.

Surely that's a more attractive proposition than a slight technical upgrade and a better camera?

Tablets should be pushed as productivity devices

To be fair, both Google and Apple have started heading in that direction this year with Google's Surface-inspired Pixel C and Apple's iPad Pro.

However, people aren't necessarily ignoring tablets as productivity devices because they're too small or lack a keyboard. I'd argue it's because both platforms are, essentially, a bigger version of their mobile OSs.

Google could use this to its advantage and create a whole new tablet OS designed with workaholics in mind.

Let us work across multiple apps at once, give us full keyboard and mouse support, and incorporate cloud-sharing into everything - there's just a few examples of how the corporation could make it work.

Curate Google Play

Let's not beat around the bush - Google Play is absolutely chock full of shovelware.

That's a problem in itself but it's made a lot worse by a woeful lack of recommendations, lists, and browsability.

Google should learn a lesson from Apple and heavily curate Google Play to rid it of the ton of awful apps dragging it down.

And the two featured sections of 'New + Updated Games' and 'Popular Apps and Games' just don't cut it either. We want to know what the best new games and apps are on a weekly basis and have all updates listed separately to improve browsability.

Reel in some exclusives

Last but not least, Android needs some exciting apps and games that are exclusive to the platform.

iOS has them in abundance and it makes it nearly impossible to leave once you're remotely invested in the platform as there's a ton of apps and games you just won't be able to use anymore as soon as you leave.

Google should aggressively approach talented mobile developers and offer them attractive incentives to get the most exciting apps and games exclusive to its platform.

If Google can successfully do one or all of the above, the platform will become not only a low-cost and more open alternative to Apple, but its very own beast.

Chris James
Chris James
A footy game fanatic and experienced editor of numerous computing and game titles, lively Chris is up for anything - including running Steel Media! (Madman!)