The Grand Slam - Windows Phone Versus iOS Versus Android

It is very difficult to compare mobile operating systems. Each of these have their own intrinsic features and functionalists which driver their craze. In a world which is becoming ‘smart’ newer mobile OSs are offering users some fascinating experiences. Phones are no longer mere communication devices they pack in entertainment and information in them. Among the popular mobile operating systems Windows Phone, Android and iOS have always been pitted against each other. Here in this write-up we shall compare between Window Phone 8, iOS 6 and Android 4.1 which are the latest in the offering from their respective developers.

 User Interface

This is perhaps the most important thing when it comes to a smartphone and the often becomes the deciding factor in a phone’s success. Windows Phone 8 is built around Flashy tiles which reminds us of the ‘windows’ in the famous operating system. These tiles can be easily customized based on one’s choice. Android 4.1 UI has jelly bean widgets which can be easily adjusted by the user. There isn’t any change in Apple iOS 6UI which continues with the grid system reminding us of the first generation of iPhone which makes it a bit boring to say the least!

Browsers

All the three have their own browsers where Android 4.1 comes with Google Chrome, Windows Phone 8 with IE 10 and iOS 6 comes with Safari. When we draw a comparison between these Safari and Chrome emerge more user-friendly where users can view the searched pages online. IE provides no such facility however enhances the security of the user and prevents them from falling victims to malicious websites through its phishing filter feature.

Mapping

This is another important feature in smartphones these days especially when it comes to travelling on roads and locating places. Windows Phone 8 makes use of Nokia mapping service which is a poorer cousin of Google Maps which is available on both Android 4.1 and iOS 6 which also brings 3D indoor mapping into the scene. In fact Apple goes a step further and provides live updates on traffic by sourcing information from its users.

Near Filed Communication

This is one of the hottest things in the technology world and finds usage in making online payments using the phone. Microsoft has developed its own wallet for Windows Phone which allows users to make payments and store payment instructions easily. Android also has something in similar likes known as the Google Wallet. Apple on the other hand uses something called a passbook which however isn’t based on the NFC technology.

The Verdict

It is difficult to choose one among these three operating systems on these counts. While Android continues to remain the most popular smartphone platform and iOS as the most admired one. Windows Phone is picking up and will give a tough competition to others in the coming years. One great advantage for Windows is the fact that the same operating system can be used over a host of devices such as the smartphones, PCs and laptops, tablets and PDAs.

One thing is for sure smartphones are soon going to take over from traditional mobile handsets and this opens a huge opportunity for mobile application development. If you are planning to develop apps to promote your business you need to develop apps for all these platforms to reach the mass market.

Pathway To Build A Beautiful Mobile Website Design

As the growth of mobile technology is happening at a rapid pace, it is helping humans in various ways. With advent of time and technology, development of mobile web has been exponential. Today, various web-designing companies are involved in developing different versions of mobile internet so that it can be taken into use as per need and requisition.

However, while designing mobile website various points has to be kept in mind so that it can give a good experience to the users who are taking use of their high-tech phones to access internet. With time running on the fast lane, development in technology is helping in the augment of mobile web designing which can change the future and outlook of surfing the internet over a mobile device.

Below mentioned are some of those points, which are essential to keep in mind for mobile web designers.

Scaling it down: The chief rule of mobile web is that people will be visiting the websites on a smaller screen in comparison to PC or laptop. For this purpose, you have to keep the designing simple in all forms. While designing a mobile web page, focus on the main content and important links of the website. This way, users will find it easy to access the information, which they require. You can keep the graphics and images out if they are not required for easy and quick loading of the site.

White Spacing: As the canvas of the site will be relatively smaller, using the white space in a proper manner is important. Utilizing the white space in a desired manner is advised as too much of colored blocks will leave the users confused and unsatisfied. Remember not to exaggerate the white space or it look like the site is not loading.

Theme Utilization: While designing a mobile web page, make sure that you keep the theme in the same manner of the original website. This will give the users a cue about surfing the website that they actually want to take into use. In addition, you can give some unique control options, which can give the user’s freshness to access the site in a better manner to optimize their experience.

Preferences: While designing a web page for mobile, make sure that you keep the options in the same manner as it is given in the original website. Do not make any sacrifices when it comes to giving important options for the users to access. If users are stuck with what they actually want, they will prefer to take use of the real time web page which will kaput your hard work. Usage of options should be provided specially in online booking web pages.

Content: Give the users the ease of accessing the content, which they require. If you are not providing with enough content, which is there on the actual website, you might lose users. This can prove to be a downfall for your mobile web page. Try avoiding banner ads in your web page for mobile so that you are able to put in more and more content for the users.