The 5 best features Android should steal from iOS

I love Android, but still dabble from time to time with iOS. Doing so usually makes me thankful at how Android works, with its deep Google integration, smart sharing features, and Material Design flourishes in Lollipop.






But Android isn’t perfect, and there are a few features in iOS that are better. So Google should do what any good tech company does: steal them. There has already been plenty of that on both sides of the mobile war; iOS clearly was inspired by Android with its notification shade, and Android isn’t multitouch on accident. So here’s my list of some Apple-y ideas that should make their way to Android.





One touch to the top of the screen

Source:
http://www.greenbot.com/article/2873377/the-5-best-features-android-should-steal-from-ios.html

WhatsApp Web launches without iOS support owing to Apple 'limitations'

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Chrome client instead arrives with Android, BlackBerry and Windows support

MESSAGING APPLICATION WhatsApp is now available via Google's Chrome browser, unless you're an iPhone user.

WhatsApp founder Jan Koum announced WhatsApp Web on Facebook, naturally.

The web client will allow users to send and receive messages within the desktop Chrome browser.

But Koum is keen to point out that WhatsApp Web is only an extension of the service's mobile apps, so you'll still need your phone nearby to take advantage of it.

"Today, for the first time, millions of you will have the ability to use WhatsApp on your web browser," he said.

"Our web client is simply an extension of your phone: the web browser mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device. This means all of your messages still live on your phone."

However, while iPhone users are typically the first to get their hands on new apps, WhatsApp announced that - for now at least - WhatsApp Web won't be available on iOS, citing "Apple platform limitations".

Instead, WhatsApp Web currently plays nice with Android, BlackBerry, BlackBerry 10 and Windows Phone.

WhatsApp explained in a blog post how to get started with the service:


Source:
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2391494/whatsapp-web-launches-without-ios-support-owing-to-apple-limitations

Apple Patents Eye-Tracking And Visual Control Tech For Mac, iOS And Beyond

Apple has been granted a patent (via AppleInsider) that describes a method for tracking eye movement and using it to control UI elements on computing devices. The gaze-based control system also includes methods designed to counteract visual effects that can occur when a person stares at a fixed space for a long stretch of time, which can trick their eyes into thinking some UI elements have disappeared completely.

The patent overall describes ways in which future Mac or iOS devices could use their built-in camera equipment to track user eye movement, and then to relate those movements to onscreen elements, like a cursor. The cursor would then follow a user’s gaze, in certain instances, and translate that to on-screen activities. The main purpose of the patent isn’t to describe the specifics of such a system, however – it’s instead meant to flesh out tech aimed directly at countering the so-called Troller Effect, which can result in certain UI elements (like the cursor) fading or disappearing if a user stares at another fixed point for too long.

Source:
http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/20/apple-patents-eye-tracking-and-visual-control-tech-for-mac-ios-and-beyond/

Video Fitness Startup Grokker Launches An iOS App

Video fitness startup Grokker is one of a large new group of startups aimed at helping people get fit. After offering up a wide variety of videos online, the company today is rolling out an iOS app that will now let users stream fitness content to their mobile devices.

Grokker was founded out of the personal frustration of former eBay and Yahoo exec Lorna Borenstein while on vacation a few years ago. She was in Maui with her family and wanted to get her yoga on, but didn’t want to drive 35 minutes to the nearest studio. After searching YouTube for a while in search of a decent yoga workout, Borenstein decided there was a market for a curated group of professionally produced fitness videos and Grokker was born.

“Finding quality videos on YouTube is like finding a needle in a haystack. There’s a real content discovery problem,” Borenstein told me by phone.

Surse:

http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/20/grokker-ios/

Why people pick Team Apple versus team Android

It's a common question of our time: "Which phone do you use?"

With BlackBerry's once commanding position diminished considerably, it largely comes down to Team Apple or Team Android. 

As of now, it's a pretty close race between the two major operating systems. In October 2014, according to ComScore Apple ranked as the top smartphone manufacturer in that month, with 41.9 percent of market share, while Google's Android operating system—which is used on smartphones made by companies like Samsung and Xiaomi—led as the No. 1 smartphone platform, with 52.3 percent of market share.

So why do people pick one over the other? Since both are high-quality, reliable products, marketing experts say brand image is the deciding factor for many people.

Source:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102289985