iOS 7 vs Android 4.3: Which one is better?

With Google and Apple both rolling out new mobile operating system updates, we take a look at their business benefits.

Apple is readying its iOS platform, while Google recently announced the imminent arrival of Android 4.3 and has already started rolling it out to some devices. But which of these two mobile operating systems should your business be backing?

Android 4.3: key features

Although Google is only pushing Android 4.3 out to Google Nexus branded devices at the moment, other manufacturers will start rolling it out soon.

So far only Sony has formally announced plans to launch Android 4.3 on its Xperia Z, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Tablet Z devices and a handful of lower-end models, but we assume HTC and Samsung will be following suit in the not too distant future.

Android 4.3 is designed as an interim update before Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie arrives and – as such – there are few big tweaks.

What’s new in Android 4.3?

The biggest new feature is Restricted Profiles. This allows you to restrict certain users from accessing apps and content on a device.

For example, if two departments in a company share a device (say, a Nexus 7 tablet), they will each have their own profile on the device and will only have access to certain apps and content.

The tablet owner or an administrator will be responsible for dictating the apps and content other users can access, and will also be the only one who can make changes to this.

Although Google is only pushing Android 4.3 out to Google Nexus branded devices at the moment, other manufacturers will start rolling it out soon.

Developers will eventually be able to use this feature in apps to set restrictions that could stop certain in-app purchases being made, for example.

Google has also introduced faster user switching, meaning it takes just seconds to swap between user accounts to access the apps and content you need.

App Ops is a new menu in Android 4.3’s settings that lets you disable certain app permissions. For instance, if you want to stop apps from being able to track your location or use contact data.

This particular feature is also helpful if you’re trying to find out when the app last carried its listed tasks, which - in turn - could help users work out what is causing battery drain or security breaches.

Android 4.3 connectivity improvements

Wireless displays are supported with Android 4.3, but only on the Nexus 7 2013 and Nexus 10 at the moment. This will allow users to wirelessly project the device's screen to their TV.

Although it’s only supported on these two tablets as the moment, it’s expected to be made available on devices that support Miracast shortly.

Another tweak in Android 4.3 is that Wi-Fi will always be working in the background, even if it’s turned off, so Google can track your location and improve the accuracy of searches.

Android 4.3 also features Bluetooth Smart (Bluetooth Low Energy) connectivity, which lets users connect a huge number of devices.

Before Android 4.3, Google was using Bluetooth 4.0, which didn’t support low-energy peripherals like fitness and location trackers. Introducing Bluetooth Smart will allow developers to integrate a much wider range of low-power Bluetooth peripherals into their apps.

Other notable additions for developers include OpenGL ES 3.0 graphic support. This will enhance any gaming or high-graphic dependency apps, making them a lot smoother and more detailed for the end user.

Google has also brought new digital rights management (DRM) tools, allowing developers to integrate DRM content into their apps.

iOS 7: Key Features

iOS 7 is a much larger update to Apple’s mobile OS and features a full overhaul of the user experience, including new icons and the core apps. But there’s a whole lot more on offer in iOS 7 for business users than a new look and feel for the mobile operating system.

Apple now allows companies to control which apps and accounts can be used to open documents and attachments. Previously, attachments could be opened in any app installed on the device.

Many of the features Apple has introduced in iOS 7 are already available on Android.

A sharing panel allows IT managers to set the verified applications up and block personal attachments from being opened in managed apps.

It’s similar to the Restricted Profiles update in Android 4.3, but a little more limiting. Great for business-only devices, but it may cause issues for companies that have embraced the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend if employees use a single device for business and pleasure.

If you need a secure network connection for certain apps, you can set a device running iOS 7 to automatically connect to your company’s VPN as soon as they are launched. Opposed to opening them first and being told they require a VPN connection to operate.

Apple’s App Store Volume Purchase Program (VPP) allows you to assign apps to business users after you’ve purchased them through the VPP website, too.

Once the licenses have been purchased, they can be rolled out over the air to individual devices via MDM or the employee can install it using their own Apple ID, without having to share their details with an IT admin.

In fact, most of the MDM services have been improved in iOS 7, allowing an IT manager to wirelessly set up managed apps, install custom fonts, configure accessibility options and printers via AirPlay.

Furthermore, if the company owns the devices, they can be automatically enrolled in MDM during activation.

iOS 7 vs Android 4.3: Weighing them up

It’s maybe not fair to compare Android 4.3 and iOS 7 because Apple’s most recent update is much more of a features overhaul than Android 4.3.

That being said, many of the features Apple has introduced in iOS 7 are already available on Android.

For example, multitasking has just been introduced in iOS 7 and has been a mainstay of the Android operating system almost since launch.

Android has always had a solid business strategy and although features are changed slightly depending on the manufacturer of the device, its open source nature means new features can be rolled out pretty easily.

Apple seems to have decided to take on the enterprise with full gusto in iOS 7 and that’s no bad thing. After all, companies are increasingly listening to employees about their device choices, and Apple is simply implementing everything companies need to meet the demands of the BYOD trend.

It’s important to note that iOS 7 is still in beta and Android 4.3 has started being rolled out, so many of the iOS 7 functions may change and be added to as Apple tweaks its code over time