Android and iPhone have by no means been nearer, with little between the working programs and their handsets. In the principle, Google might sound to do extra following than main, however it has simply overwhelmed Apple at its personal sport, with a surprising new characteristic that’s surprisingly coming to Android first and may very well be simply across the nook…
Up to date 3/24; initially revealed 3/22.
Google is on a mission to make Android extra like iPhone, because the world’s two main smartphone ecosystems battle for customers. We have now seen Google just lately improve Android safety, embody WhatsApp calls on its cellphone dialer and even add Apple passes to its pockets. Now this newest replace not solely matches an current iPhone characteristic, however it goes a lot additional, surprisingly beating Apple at its personal sport.
I’ve already reported on Google’s push to incorporate an emergency satellite tv for pc service as a brand new characteristic, which can see Android lastly match the satellite tv for pc SOS performance that Apple has had on its iPhone for a number of years. Google’s providing even appears so as to add a readymade Garmin rescue service into its plan. That is clearly an enormous step forwards for the protection and safety of its huge consumer base.
The difficulty with Apple’s emergency SOS providing is simply that—it’s just for emergencies. And so for these of us not climbing mountains or crusing oceans, it places an SOS tag on the display screen once we’re out of protection, however it’s one thing we by no means use.
Now with the newest Android 15 developer preview, it seems like Google is bridging the hole, opening the door for customers to increase their mobile accounts to incorporate a satellite tv for pc add-on, and enabling core messaging apps to make use of that satellite tv for pc community. No extra mobile black-spots dropping customers right into a connectivity black gap.
In response to Mishaal Rahman, “Android 15 DP2 provides some UI components to make sure a ‘constant consumer expertise’ for gadgets that assist satellite tv for pc connectivity. The replace additionally expands platform assist for satellite tv for pc connectivity by including a brand new API that apps can use to detect when a tool is related to a satellite tv for pc. Android 15 additionally lets SMS/MMS/RCS apps use satellite tv for pc connectivity for sending and receiving messages.”
That final little bit is the actual information, and we all know that some networks have plans so as to add LEO satellite tv for pc connectivity as an account choice . That is an enchancment on what we first thought was coming, when Google (prematurely) up to date Pixel telephones with a “Satellite tv for pc SOS” characteristic slotted between Automotive Crash Detection and Emergency SOS.
Apple’s satellite tv for pc connectivity stays extra restricted. “With iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Professional, iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Professional,” it says, “you possibly can join your iPhone to a satellite tv for pc to textual content the emergency providers, request roadside help and share your location with family and friends – all whilst you’re off the grid with no cell and Wi-Fi protection.”
We did hope Android would possibly go additional, with earlier beta code suggesting a satellite tv for pc messaging choice in partnership with T-Cell. The potential for what this would possibly finally imply hit the headlines when Elon Musk introduced that SpaceX had achieved downloads speeds of 17mbps to an unmodified Galaxy S21 Extremely.
As SamMobile reported following that Samsung take a look at, the machine “would not require any particular {hardware} to connect with a satellite tv for pc. So, even when there isn’t any typical mobile community vary close by, a smartphone would be capable of make/obtain calls and messages by connecting on to a satellite tv for pc. Starlink has been testing such a service, and it seems like we are able to use it within the coming months.”
This teases a future the place direct to cellphone satellite tv for pc connectivity turns into extra regular and usable, however within the meantime messaging integration is a good begin.
That that is coming to Android 15 now appears confirmed—absent a significant change. And as Android and iPhone come ever nearer, this seems like being an instance of Google main with (one expects) Apple to observe. Coming simply after the “blockbuster” information that Gemini is likely to be coming to iPhone and Apple claiming the DOJ lawsuit would primarily flip iPhone into Android, this has been an attention-grabbing week.
3/23 replace: The newest thrilling particulars on Google’s plans for satellite tv for pc messaging got here simply after the blockbuster information broke that Gemini is likely to be coming to Apple’s iPhone because the workhorse powering some or lots of iOS 18’s AI updates.
That is attention-grabbing on plenty of fronts—not least as a result of it’s but another method that the hole between Android and iPhone seems set to shut, but additionally as a result of it will massively improve Google’s position inside the iPhone ecosystem.
When it comes to Android versus iPhone that is additionally notable. One additional method during which Android is transferring quicker than iPhone is Gemini’s deployment on handsets. Whereas Apple customers look ahead to readability on what to anticipate with the subsequent OS within the fall, Android customers are already seeing these advances.
One key space during which Google has promised game-changing Gemini capabilities is inside its Messages app, which can turn into—to all intents and functions—a chatbot UI for customers to interact Gemini immediately from the messaging platform.
Google confirmed the Gemini/Messages rumors final month. Now, TheSPAndroid has had this up and operating from the newest beta launch, confirming that “the mixing of Gemini in Google Messages is much like Gemini within the Google app and Gemini on the internet, it helps extensions like Gmail, Flights, Maps, Workspace and extra which can be found on net, [and that] it may possibly additionally give code strategies.”
Maybe most apparently of all, the location additionally confirms that this Gemini deployment “can even generate pictures, which is wonderful.”
As reported by Android Authority, “Google says that is restricted to English however provides it’ll be out there in 165 international locations. The corporate additionally notes that you simply want a Pixel 6 or later, a Pixel Fold, a Galaxy S22 sequence cellphone or newer, or a Galaxy Z Flip/Fold.”
“It contains virtually the whole lot a traditional consumer wants,” TheSPAndroid says, “and it’s a very intelligent factor performed by Google—integrating in Google Messages, which could cut back the necessity to maintain Google app put in on my cellphone as a result of it slows it down… The opposite factor is that Gemini integration will even toughen RCS as a result of extra folks will use Google Messages.” As I’ve reported earlier than, the one catch is that Gemini messages are usually not end-to-end encrypted, for apparent causes.
This can be a main enhance for Android. The usage of Google Messages as a readymade—and extensively put in chatbot UI, will normalize entry as by no means earlier than. Over to Apple as to the way it does the identical later within the yr, with or with out Google’s AI doing the work. However within the meantime, it’s positively (one other) benefit Android.
3/24 replace: The debates following the Division of Justice asserting its lawsuit in opposition to Apple play on to this iPhone versus Android theme. The DOJ case does appear to envisage a world the place it’s higher for iPhone to be one other model of Android than a vertically built-in different.
That is attention-grabbing as a result of whereas options comparable to satellite tv for pc connectivity, pockets performance and even AI stitched into the OS will converge, the core underpins of the 2 working programs are presently worlds aside. Apple desires management of the whole lot, whereas Google is belatedly taking extra management after having run Android with pretty unfastened reins since its inception.
“Apple additionally hasn’t been one to welcome openness or competitors,” Mark Gurman says in his newest Energy Up e-newsletter this week.”It refused to convey its iMessage app to Android telephones and solely agreed to undertake the cross-platform RCS messaging system below mounting strain… Apple makes builders use its in-app buy system, shuns cloud-gaming providers and has been reluctant to open up its tap-to-pay chip to outdoors apps — all as a result of it desires to guard its kingdom from rivals.”
Gurman believes Apple will push again arduous on opening iMessage to Android in any significant method—and RCS positively isn’t that. For my part, the iMessage angle is essentially the most easy a part of the DOJ case, as I’ve argued elsewhere. It may very well be seen as hypocrisy for Apple to argue that iMessage has safety and privateness safeguards its customers want, however then to disclaim these safeguards cross-platform.
Google is in the identical boat with Messages, which additionally presents full encryption solely inside its walled backyard. Whereas its mimicking of iMessage in options, performance, safety and that walled backyard structure would possibly play to the duplication of the 2 world working programs, it doesn’t work out properly for customers in both case.
Of equal be aware is Walt Mossberg’s editorial on the DOJ case, revealed on Threads. “First and most significantly,” he says, “the case primarily assaults Apple for being a vertically built-in smartphone producer, melding each {hardware} part in addition to native and permitted software program and providers—but this has been Apple’s core differentiator for the reason that Nineteen Seventies. It attracts individuals who need extra of a digital equipment than a platform for tinkering. And it’s no completely different than the distinction between Macs and Home windows computer systems going again to the Eighties.”
Apple “has at all times been a tricky competitor,” Mossberg goes on to say, “largely bored with cross-company collaboration. However the crux of the lawsuit appears to be about Apple’s philosophy of constructing services, and punishing the corporate for not having a enterprise mannequin like that of its opponents.”
And but, if the Gemini information pans out, we might discover a state of affairs the place Google performs a rising associate position in iPhone’s OS as regards the generative AI performance with which it now appears to be surging forward.
“Calling Apple a ‘monopoly’ in telephones is laughable, Mossberg says. “Each unbiased analyst estimates iPhone market share at somewhat over 50% within the US and somewhat below 25% globally. That’s not a monopoly.”
But it surely’s positively a duopoly. We noticed with covid contact tracing that when Apple and Google work collectively, they’ll direct the market as they see match. And because the two ecosystems come nearer collectively, we would see this increasingly. In a world the place Gemini is on each—topic to regulators pulling at that thread—how does that form the business. Is that not the very essence of the case in opposition to search?
Paradoxically, the world which may give hope that the state of affairs isn’t that stark is messaging, the place Google and Apple of their quest for stickiness throughout their very own customers, have allowed over-the-tops to bridge the hole, to offer super-apps that work throughout each. One other aspect of the DOJ case.
However the place messaging is anxious, WhatsApp and even Fb Messenger, present that customers will reward the precise choices. Apple’s famed iMessage stickiness—and Gurman believes strongly that Apple received’t budge on iMessage regardless of DOJ claims—solely actually performs within the US. No households outdoors America are held collectively by iMessage. It’s more likely to be Apple’s different providers than its messaging app that retains households all utilizing iPhones.
All instructed, we await iOS 18 particulars forward of its fall launch, after which we’ll know rather more. In the meantime, we are able to count on loads extra evaluation of Android 15.
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