“Slow iPhone” as the reason for the popularity of Android – Computerra-line

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Since then, both the mobile device to establish a modern world order – namely, the power is divided between Apple and Google – do not stop trying to figure out whose platform is better. Question Unspecified apparently meaningless, but hot, and why was the cause holivara. Borrow one way or another I’m not going – navoyevat at the time of the Linux – but I want to draw your attention to a curious paradox probably had and continue to have an impact on the balance of power. It’s about how to upgrade the speed of the mobile operating system changes the preferences of the masses.

For those of you who are following the situation, of course, know: iOS and Android updated fundamentally different. And not only that new versions of OSes Apple usually accompany new models of its smartphones / planchettes, while Google release platforms such simultaneity there and for good reason can not be (Google because no one produces mobile devices and forcing partners to do so one day tries). There are more important difference. The new iOS version is usually very quickly begins to dominate over the previous, while a new version of Android, and years later can not be dominant.

This difference is remarkable illustrate the latest systems: Android 5.x and iOS 9. The first on the market a year, but still does not manage and fourth devices accessing the app store Google Play Store. The second is available less than a month, but already has nearly two out of every three smartphones and planchettes, visiting Apple App Store.

Why is that, in general, of course. The two giants are trying to make the new version of the system was useful to the greatest number of users. But if Apple has a real opportunity to actively influence the situation as “iron” it makes itself and the ecosystem iOS controls alone, Google has no such possibility, or rather, it is largely theoretical. Yes, updates Android have to get up, not only the most modern devices, but also on the model of the past generations. However, the actual variety of mobile devices is so large, and the power Google of manufacturers so low (reduced to nonbinding) that update OSes comes to an end user in the best case the delay (after it is adapted for a specific glands), or does not extend at all. And so formed monolith iOS and motley tribe of Android.

However, I repeat, all this and so you probably know. Nuance, on which I propose to consider is in relation to this state of affairs. Good or bad, that the mass of Android-devices ever to manage multiple versions of the system? Good or bad, that the iOS-devices are always in sync, always use the latest version of the OS?

The classic view is dictated by common sense, it requires the approval of Apple and criticism of Google. In fact, what good is that under one brand in fact there are hundreds of millions of devices slabosovmestimyh? This makes it difficult writing application programs, turns into a problem fix system errors detected, and the amount of likely effect on users against the brand. But then, what a thing: the study of the reaction mass at the user releases the fresh versions of devices and systems, it gives reason to assume otherwise.

I’m talking about the phenomenon of “slow” iPhone “, noted by in the last year, but still remained relatively obscure – and only in the last week to go public. The point is very simple. Do this: try to find out how often setyane looking for in the search engines recipes to speed up their mobile phones. This can be done, for example, using a convenient tool Google Trends. Beat him query «slow iPhone» and get to build a schedule with the release of the first smartphone Apple, ie from mid of 2007. Here’s how you get the picture (blue curve). On the red broken line is do not pay attention.

To comprehend this schedule will be easier if the parallel open table release dates of the new “iPhone” (here it is in “Wikipedia”). Compare both – and it becomes clear that each time after the release of a new model of iPhone, search engines record the burst of the above requests. Obviously, the owners of the old phone models are unhappy that they start to work more slowly, and looking for a solution.

As to what motivates setyanami in this situation, however, there are several opinions. Someone believes that Apple intentionally makes a new version of iOS to work more slowly on older devices – thereby encouraging the audience to buy a new phone. Others believe the problem of the natural, inevitable: the new version of the operating system, of course, are better adapted to the new hardware, and so slowly on the old. Finally, some see the problem of psychological: the new phone – it’s always a new processor and a new “schedule” so that it naturally works faster than the old models, and any old iron, any new software are not to blame (and even speed really has not changed!).

But the fun starts when you try to compare the degree of dissatisfaction “iPhone” with the same indicator for the “Android”. At Google release platform, unfortunately, is not one of the most popular smartphone model, but in general (check if you wish) curves for all of the most famous brands (Galaxy, Nexus, etc.) Is approximately the same shape as the curve for query «slow Android». She just held red. How is it different from the curve for iOS? The absence of distinct bursts: it increases steadily over time. How to explain it? Probably the fact that releases of Android (and the operating system and device) “smeared” in time.

But the most important and interesting not to explain, and put yourself in the average owner of the Android-based device, and try to look at mobile platform with his eyes. It turns out that, in contrast to the user iOS, he spared the recurring annual periods of crisis, when it begins to seem that was the end of the world, because we love the phone suddenly began mercilessly to brake!

We discontent “Yabloko”, as and everything to do with the psychology of crowds, surely there is a cumulative effect: concentrated in a short period of time, such discontent “hits the brain” is stronger than if the same people are dissatisfied with the work of their phones in different moments. And, probably, it is more off-putting users actively pushes them to experiment with other mobile operating systems. Yes, this is only version guess. However, the weight ratio of the absolute say in its favor. “IPhone” has now sold a total of about 800 million pieces. Android-based phone is delivered more than one billion every year . Recipe “Hurry slowly” in action!

PS The article contains an illustration Tsahi Levent-Levi, chart Google.

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