Apple’s next-generation iPhone and iOS 10 will have to fend off tough competition from Google’s biggest Android update in years when they arrive this fall.
Android N is coming with huge improvements and big features fans, and fans couldn’t be more excited. Some of those features are so good, Apple just has to steal them. Here are five we’d love to see in future versions of iOS.
Split-screen multitasking for iPhone
Apple already offers split-screen multitasking in iOS, but it’s reserved for the iPad. Google allows users to take advantage of this feature on smartphones with Android N, and it’s just as useful on larger smartphone displays.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
How many times have you been watching a video on your iPhone and you get a text you need to reply to right away? Or how about you stumble across an interesting article on the web, and you want to take some notes that will come in handy later.
You have to switch apps to do both of these things, which takes you away from what you were doing. With split-screen multitasking, you can do both at the same time, because two apps can share the display.
This might not be so useful on the smaller iPhone, but it should be a feature on the Plus. Its larger 5.5-inch display would be perfect for it.
Display scaling
Apple actually does a terrific job with its default display scaling in iOS. For the average user, text, icons, buttons, and other interface elements aren’t too big, and they aren’t too small, either. But not everyone is an average user.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Some would prefer to make those things smaller to fit more onto the display, while others would sacrifice the real estate to make everything a little larger and easier to see. Apple does give us two different displays sizes on the latest iPhones, but it’s not enough.
In Android N, Google is giving users the ability to choose from five by default, so you can select which one is most comfortable for you without third-party hacks. Apple needs to do the same for iPhone and iPad.
Seamless updates
iOS updates are exciting, but installing them is a bore. You have to download the update file, wait for your device to prepare it, then restart — and that first boot up takes forever. But with Android N, seamless updates takes almost all of that away.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
By using a second storage partition, Google’s latest software is able to download and prepare updates in the background while you continue to use your device as normal. It then installs the update when you next restart, without that lengthy boot up process.
Google borrowed seamless updates from Chrome OS, and it’s probably the biggest and best change coming to Android N.
Instant apps
Although seamless updates might be the best Android N feature, instant apps is a close second. It negates the need to install Android apps before you use them, and it’s a game-changer.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Here’s how it works: Let’s say you’re browsing Facebook or Twitter, and you stumble across a link to a sweet deal from B&H on a camera you’ve had your eye on. With instant apps, you can open that deal in the B&H app even if you don’t have it installed.
You can then find out more about the camera, look at the images, and even make a purchase.
This is possible because Android only downloads the modules of the app you need right there and then, so it’s almost as speedy as just loading up the B&H website. Then if you decide you want to keep the app, you can tap the install button and the rest of it will be downloaded.
Not all Android apps will support instant apps initially — they’ll need to be adapted for it, and Google isn’t giving all developers the opportunity to do that just yet — but this is a great start.
Support for Unicode 9.0
Believe it or not, Android N has even more emoji than iOS. Google’s platform used to be lagging way behind, but its next update will add support for the Unicode 9.0 standard, whereas iOS 9 only offer support up to Unicode 7.0.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
However, out of all the features on this list, this is probably the one Apple will adopt — and you can be sure it will happen sooner rather than later given how popular emoji characters are. Unfortunately, we’re not too hopeful it will pick up any of the others we’ve mentioned here.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
33 responses to “5 features Apple must steal from Android N”
I want NO major updates happening without my approval! NO WAY!!!
Agreed!
That’s what everyone said about auto app updates, now it’s just the norm in iOS. You would obviously have to grant permission before the update is prepared/installed. It wouldn’t just happen without your knowledge.
Apps are different than a complete OS though. I think back to an update last year that Apple sent out that kept phones from being able to call out. I like to give it a little time now and make sure there aren’t any issues. A switch to turn off the feature would be fine of course!
I never allow auto update on any device running any OS, be it a PC, smartphone, smartwatch, router, streamer, smart TV., A/V receiver…. I update what I need, When I need it.
I’d love for it to happen though. I’d love all my updates to install themselves without my notice. Just a checkbox option in settings so everyone can be happy maybe?
I think back to an update last year that Apple sent out that kept phones from being able to call out. I like to give it a little time now and make sure there aren’t any issues. A switch to turn off the feature would be fine of course!
Only people who haven’t used split screen on N would ever want it. It’s friggin clunky and pointless.
I’ve used it a lot — and even more on Samsung smartphones, which have had this feature for years — and I think it’s very useful.
Believe it or not, some people actually prefer waiting to install updates. I don’t want an update anywhere near my phone until I can go online and inform myself about any bugs like battery drain.
Also, instant apps? What for? So I can have more space taken up by partially downloaded apps because clicking on a link and going to a mobile web site is too complicated? No, thanks.
Well, as I mentioned above, it wouldn’t just happen without your knowledge. You would obviously have to grant permission first.
Split screen. In theory maybe, but a phone is generally too small gor it to be truly practical.
Display scaling. Maybe for the iPad, especially the 12.9″. But it’s not an issue.
Seamless updates. Again, great in theory, but only if it is a non default option allowing me to stay in control of my updates.
Instant apps. Really, for that 2% chance every 2 months I don’t want the full app?
Univode 9.0. More emojis. Yawn.
It’s starting to feel as if everyone is desperately seeking features even if they add little value.
Of all of these listed, none of them speak to me personally.
If they steal anything from Android N, let it be Daydream.
Daydream would be another great addition!
I rarely watch videos on a smartphone. Screen’s too small, I have bad eyesight and I hate small screens watching videos. If the video is very short, then i might watch, but since it’s a short video, I don’t have a problem tending to a text message since the video isn’t that long. I think in order to have “split screen mode”, you need a screen that’s a MINIMUM of 7 or 8 inches, otherwise you are just splitting a small screen into 2 REALLY tiny screens. I don’t even like watching full length movies on my iPad 9.7, screen’s too small. Watching a move on a 13 inch screen at a distance of about 20 inches is about the same as watching on a 40 inch at about 6 feet away. I don’t want to watch a movie on a 5.5inch screen at 6 inches away to be equivalent.
It’s great that *you* don’t want any of this, but you’re not Apple’s only user. Lots of people watch videos all the time on their phones; YouTube is just as popular on mobile as it is on the web now. Netflix is also massive on mobile, as are other live streaming services.
Split-screen has been on Samsung smartphones for years, and I use it all the time — even on the galaxy S7 with its 5.1-inch display. It’s super useful, and I don’t think you can dismiss it without trying it.
Split screen is awesome and not clunky at all. Downloaded Android N beta on my Nexus yesterday. You’ve never wanted to listen to a you tube video and do something else on your phone before?? I would love this feature on my 6s plus which is my daily driver!
On my phone? Nope.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m glad it’s there for those that like/want it, but I can’t imagine ever using multi-tasking on a phone.
Now… If they’re prepping a Continuum-like thing… Maybe.
Exactly! I use it all the time on Samsung smartphones. It’s so useful for so many things — like keeping up with a WhatsApp group conversation while watching a live game. Sure, it’s a small screen, but sometimes that’s all you have.
Excellent point ton the YouTube application. The music still plays while you surf, one of the main selling points for YouTube’s paid app.
You don’t want Google to see this…
Emojis. Bah, humbug!
wow this is an AWFUL list.
I honestly cant get over how horrid this list is. As if all anyone cares about are the ENDLESS number of emoji’s? Just how many ways do you need to “smile”? Speaking of smiling, how about the feature that allows android phones to take a simple photo when you say “take a photo?” Siri cant currently do that. And yes, the idea of making updates simple is great and the current model should be reworked, but under no circumstance should it be “automatic”. We have learned from the past updates that its just a bad idea to upgrade immediately some times.
You realize emoji characters are insanely popular, right? So clearly a lot of people do care.
I don’t know how but I’d expect serious security flaws will be exploited in that Instant App mechanism some time.
Why? The modules are downloaded directly from the Play Store. It’s not different to downloading an app like you normally would; you just gets the bits you need when you need them.
DNS hijack + MITM. Are you sure it’s really THE Play Store ?
Imagine this scenario: you walk into a cafe and connect your phone to free WiFi. The AP, which is compromised by some bad guys, would redirect you to some free signup page, and you press the “Login” button and it launches an additional AD page within your browser, which indicate your phone to download some Instant Apps from fake Play Store AUTOMATICALLY without your interaction, and BOOOOM! Your phone is compromised and you don’t even know what is going on.
And of course there are methods to enhance system security, such as built-in whitelist database or sandboxing. However, the fundamental problem still exists: anything that will download and execute automatically without user permission, would be a security nightmare. People had learned this the hard way since ActiveX, Java and Flash. Now we have another storm on the horizon.
How about a proper file management engine that Android has had since forever? The clunkiness of working with files in iOS is mindblowing. Like they wrote the software in the 90s and never bothered doing more than cosmetic changes.
I had thought about adding a file manager since Android N’s is greatly improved. However, it’s not technically new to Android N, so I left it out. Also, Apple’s never going to give us one.
The more I read of Killian’s article, the more I think he should stick to writing for Cult of Android.
I would rather have picture-in-picture video than split-screen multitasking.
If it’s not a video-app, most apps require you to use the keyboard, that would be so clunky:
Android, ha ha ha