The main feature of the new system is that it is distributed completely free of charge, and anyone can contribute changes in it. Thus, the manufacturer of mobile devices is less dependent on the creators of the OS, he does not need to conclude any contracts, he is not required to pay royalties. The first smartphone with Android on board was the HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1), which appeared on September 23, 2008. Now the vast majority of computer equipment manufacturers have smartphones and tablets running Android in their model lines.

An important advantage of Android is that this system (just like iOS) can be used not only on smartphones but also on other types of portable devices. Solutions from competitors are not capable of this, and tablet computers running Symbian have never appeared. Android, on the other hand, is “embedded” anywhere, including such unusual devices as smartwatches. That is, manufacturers of various equipment finally have a system that can be freely used and that does not impose any restrictions on the technical characteristics of the device.

The ability to relatively simply create applications has led to the emergence of a variety of programs for android. Although not as much as for iOS. By the way, both systems themselves are in the process of continuous development — their creators regularly release more and more new versions, constantly improving their creations, adding new features and functions, correcting old flaws.

But there are some drawbacks too. So, the system is quite complicated for an inexperienced user, it requires a long getting used to (definitely, this system is not for pensioners). There was also a problem with viruses — a huge number of Android applications contain malicious code. The reason for this is the openness of the system. Programs on the Android Market can be uploaded by anyone. Checking, of course, is carried out, but it is not as thorough as on the iTunes Store — the programme is first laid out, and is checked only when the turn comes to it.

Of course, iOS is devoid of these shortcomings, there are simply no viruses under it exists, and in everyday use it is more convenient. But the shortcomings of the system from Apple are too significant for many users. Firstly, there is no access to the file system, it is impossible to simply take and rewrite the file to the device. And it's very inconvenient. But with Android, you can take a file of any format (movie, e-book, etc.), transfer it to your smartphone and open it with your favorite programme. There are no problems with saving files from the Internet. Also, iOS is tied to Apple solutions, while in the case of Android, a wide choice appears — a wide variety of device models are available for sale, the cost and parameters of which vary widely. Android also has the advantage of full integration with all Google services, which is important for many users.

It can be argued that Android is more suitable for consumers who love and know how to customize their devices. For such users, the system provides the broadest possibilities. While iOS is suitable for those who above all appreciate the convenience and security out of the box. Of course, this can be achieved in Android, but first you will need to “work with a file”. The choice is yours.