Each very long time Android consumer is aware of Apple does have a historical past of “borrowing” options from Google’s OS, typically a number of years after they first turned out there. This development has slowed down in recent times, with iPhones and non-iPhones getting much more related, however the WWDC 2024 keynote did characteristic a bunch of bulletins Android customers will likely be fairly conversant in.
Lots of these options are, frankly, lengthy overdue. The form of issues that make you marvel “what took you so lengthy, Apple?”. Apple is unquestionably enjoying catch-up, however in a few of these locations it’s additionally including its personal enhancements and prospers — which ought to hopefully come to Android sooner or later.
Listed here are 9 options iOS “stole” from Android at WWDC 2024.
Calculator on a pill
It’s unimaginable that 14 years after the very first iPad launched, Apple is simply simply launching a calculator app for its pill vary. Whereas Android tablets positively have their faults, I don’t assume I’ve come throughout one which didn’t have some form of inventory calculator app — even when it was a super-basic one.
After all Apple has pushed issues a step additional by providing MathNotes into the iPad’s calculator, letting you resolve equations and different math issues with handwriting. Whereas not a singular thought, it’s not one thing you’ll get from different telephone makers proper out of the field.
House Display app icon placement
House display personalization is among the issues Android has had since day one — 16 years in the past. Apple appeared somewhat proof against the thought, however has since been drip-feeding customers new choices over the previous few years. The ultimate stage of that’s letting folks drop app icons wherever they like — somewhat than forcing them right into a grid sample.
iPads have already been given this freedom for widget placement. Nevertheless apps, and widgets on iPhone, had been nonetheless compelled to make use of the grid sample and weren’t allowed to depart any gaps. Limiting the extent of personalization on supply. Happily Apple has now determined customers can management and place icons to their very own style — beginning with iOS 18.
Hidden & locked apps
Admittedly Android hasn’t provided the choice to cover or lock apps at a system stage till very lately. So lately that the Personal Area characteristic is at present solely out there in beta proper now. However numerous Android telephones and launchers have included this characteristic for a few years, no matter Google’s stubbornness.
Now Apple has achieved the identical, giving customers the chance to lock particular person apps behind Face ID, Contact ID or a passcode — or cover them away in a hidden app folder. And for an organization that’s been so targeted on safety the previous a number of years, it’s stunning that it’s taken so lengthy to higher safe among the most delicate apps in your telephone.
Customizable management middle
Apple’s Management Middle has been fairly inflexible, not often altering and definitely not providing you with the chance to personalize it to fit your personal wants. That’s altering with iOS 18, providing completely different panels and pages so to rapidly entry the settings and options you need once you need them.
Android has been doing one thing related for a while now, letting you combine and match the tiles within the Fast Settings menu to fit your wants and tastes. That means you don’t should scroll via a bunch of stuff you by no means use simply to activate Airplane mode or the flashlight, for example.
After all it doesn’t have the identical form of widget performance Apple appears to be including to iOS 18, which might give Apple a little bit benefit if that’s the form of characteristic you’d wish to use.
Photographs group
One of many key advantages of Google Photographs is how the app organizes your images, to assist group sure sorts of images collectively that can assist you discover what you’re in search of. Apple Photographs presents some further group instruments, nevertheless it’s nowhere close to as intensive. Which will likely be why Apple is altering that with iOS 18.
Apple Photographs will likely be getting a bunch of latest personalization options together with a Carousel of each day highlights, and classes that embody Current Days, Individuals & Pets and Pinned Collections. That, mixed with issues Apple hasn’t instructed us about simply but, ought to assist give Google Photographs a run for its cash.
Password Supervisor & Authenticator
Apple has had a password supervisor for over a decade, nevertheless it isn’t the simplest one to entry. Google’s in an analogous boat, with no devoted password supervisor app, although I’d argue it’s a little bit simpler to trace them down — particularly since you’ll be able to add a password supervisor shortcut to your private home display.
Google additionally has an Authenticator app for storing two-factor authentication codes — which Apple lacks. So Apple is tackling each issues directly, with a single app for storing iCloud passwords and 2FA authentication codes — alongside Wi-Fi settings.
iPhone mirroring on Mac
Contemplating how a lot management Apple has over its cell and desktop ecosystems, it’s stunning that we haven’t seen extra crossover earlier than. As a result of there have already been quite a few examples of Android telephones having some form of wi-fi desktop mirroring.
Corporations like Huawei and Samsung, who make telephones and laptops have been providing a characteristic like this for years on their merchandise. It’s not one thing that’s been formally supported with ChromeOS, or Home windows machines made by completely different producers nevertheless it has been attainable for not less than 5 years now — even when it by no means took off in earnest.
RCS Messaging
We knew it was coming, and we all know why it’s taken Apple so lengthy to implement RCS on its telephones. iPhones have had iMessage for a really very long time, providing the identical form of wealthy options afforded by RCS on different gadgets — plus encryption, coloured bubbles and different Apple-exclusive options.
Which means that iPhones and Android telephones will be capable of message one another with out reverting to SMS and MMS. Making certain that messages have higher safety, with precise encryption, and media recordsdata received’t be compressed all the way down to atrocious high quality because of 20-plus 12 months outdated messaging requirements.
Sport Mode
Even in case you don’t have one of many greatest gaming telephones, odds are you will discover some form of Sport Mode in your Android telephone. The concept being that your gaming expertise will likely be improved by decreasing distractions and interference brought on by your telephone’s different options — together with boosting efficiency. Some telephones may even enhance wi-fi audio latency, to make sure you’re not getting any irritating delays.
Apple introduced its personal Sport Mode to Macs final 12 months, and this 12 months it’s lastly coming to cell. And good factor too, contemplating Apple’s been pushing the thought of enjoying AAA titles on iPhone and iPad because the launch of the iPhone 15 Professional. From the sound of issues this Sport Mode isn’t dissimilar to the remaining. It’ll cease completely different apps hogging system sources, improves latency on AirPods and ensures any wi-fi controllers are “extremely responsive”.
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