Apples iPad operating system runs on basically the same platform as the earlier iphone device, it is fast, easy to navigate through and has proven itself to be reliable. The main rival to this OS is the 'Android system', developed by Google a few years back and licensed as open source software. You might be surprised to know that it is currently being used by a number of large mobile companies to power their portable touch screen handsets; in fact chances are you have the OS on your own phone.
If you've been keeping up to date with the latest tablet computer news, then you'll be aware of the WePad, a similar device to the iPad, but developed by the German telecommunications company Neophonie. The WePad has been nicknamed the 'iPad killer' as it is believed to be Apples main competition in the fight for top dog. This particular device has a few extra features that the iPad doesn't, the inclusion of 2 USB ports for external linking and a webcam, which is something many Apple fans were expecting on the iPad.
So what is the difference between Apple iphone OS and the WePads android system? Is one better than the other? Comparing the two is like looking at the difference between apple computers and the Microsoft OS; both of them have a number of advantages and several downsides as well.
iPad - iphone OS
Apple has been at this game for a long time and has purposely controlled the development of its software and hardware. If an application developer was interested in creating a program for the new iPad, firstly they must pay $99 for a software package and tools; learn a new programming language called 'Objective-C'; finally they would need to wait with fingers crossed hoping that their creation would be approved. The upside to this system is that the few chosen Mac application designers would know the OS like the back of their hands and could churn out programs that work incredibly well on the iPad.
iPad buyers will be happy to know that all of the applications that worked on the iphone can also be used on their new iPad, so users will have a huge selection of programs to choose from, plus many more to come.
WePad - Android OS
The Java based Android operating system on the other hand is freely available for download, any developer or large company can modify it to suit their particular product and study it to develop new applications. This OS is already being used by Samsung, Toshiba and of course by Neophonie in their WePad. The multi stacked Android OS has fewer applications available compared with the iPad, but these are early days; the plus side is the fact that it is open source so in the near future there will probably be more program than you can handle, as is already the case with the apple Mac PC. Many of the Google android software programs will also be free, offered by freelance developers who aren't looking to make a fast buck, instead wanting to learn and experiment with this new portable platform. The last upside to the android OS is also compatible with flash player which allows it to view and interact with a lot more dynamic online content something that the iPad cannot do just yet.
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