This is going to be a series of blogs meant to bestow all the information I know upon you. By the end, you should have a good idea of exactly what phone is best for you, and have a good idea of how to use it to it's full potential. This article is all about Operating Systems, which is the best place to start.
Links to completed guides
Smartphone Guide 2) Android
Smartphone Guide 3) iOS
Smartphone Guide 4) Windows Phone 8
As far as smartphones go, there are a few major players: Apple (iPhone), Google (android), Microsoft (Windows Phone), and RIM (Blackberry). Each are very different, and have their ups and downs...but you'll realize this soon enough. Without further ado...
The iPhone excels as app selection. I know, I know..."but android now has as many apps as Apple". While that is true, the Apple App Store has better quality apps than Android. Mind you, you will pay for any good app on the App Store.
Android's biggest asset is personalization. You can change the keyboard, add live wallpapers, put widgets on your homsescreen, install apps from sources other than the Google Play Store...you can do whatever you want with your android.
Windows Phone 8 is the newest player, and it's all about sleek design. You have access to just enough options to make your experience nice, but focuses on simplicity and stunning designs. The menus all look amazing, every phone runs smooth, and the LiveTiles are a great way to present the homescreen.
BlackBerry has really gone through a rough patch, but BB10 (scheduled for Jan. 30, 2012) looks very promising. They are making an entire new line of phones, and are finally bringing their phones up to par with the offerings from any other smartphone. Currently, BlackBerry phones have small screens, subpar processors, and an outdated mostly-non-touch UI. I'm going to disregard BlackBerry for the remainder of this blog, because I don't want to confuse buyers with BB7 when BB10 is just around the corner.
Now that we all know the names of each, let's see how they compare for different users. Please note that this is a guide based on stereotypes (somewhat), and isn't a "1 guide fits all" sort of thing. In future blog posts I'll try to really narrow it down.
Casual users: The iPhone is the easiest to use. There is no way to break the software on the iPhone, and it's hard to mess anything up. When you install apps (Apple App Store only), they all go onto your homsecreen. If you want to search, scroll all the way to the left. That's most of the OS...Windows Phone 8 comes in a close second. It has some added more advanced options - when you install apps they are listed alphabetically in their own list. From this universal-app-list, you can 'pin' apps to your homescreen, and them re-size them to fit your tastes. There is a bit more customization here, but not as much as Android. Android comes last here, because of all of the different layers of complexity. When you install apps, they are hidden in your app drawer until you drag them onto your homescreen. But you can also download widgets, which are also found in your app drawer, but are all grouped last. There are lots more options, making for overall a more complex experience. Keep in mind - any of these are certainly usable, and even Android isn't too hard to get used to.
Average usage: I'm going to argue that Android is the best overall for the average user. It is pretty simple to get used to (should be a wiz at the everyday stuff in a week tops), and within the first month you've probably explored a few options that WP8 and iOS don't offer. After a year of owning your phone, you will look at iOS and WP8 devices and think "whoa - my phone can do way more than that". The iPhone comes next here, as apps are a big deal. Sure, you'll have to pay for all the good apps, but lots of them really are worth it. Android's apps are typically of much less quality, and Apple has a huge developer base loyal to them. Windows Phone is a close last - yes, they are getting many more apps everyday. Yes, they are growing faster than iOS. No, they aren't perfect. They're coming along fast, for for the average user the experience is still lacking.
Hardcore user: Androd is hands down the best Operating System for hardcore phone addicts. Hardcore users will have probably installed a whack-ton of apps, are using SwiftKey 3 Flow as their keyboard, using a Launcher (if they haven't ROMmed), and maybe even made their own widgets. You can't do this on either WP8 or iOS. Windows Phone surprisingly sneaks ahead of Apple on this one. You have access to a bit more customization, and discovering all the unique things to WP8, like Nokia's Mapping technology which can use the camera and gyroscope to see places of interest close to you, just by panning your phone around you...or taking videos and turning them into still pictures, with just 1 moving object. The iPhone lacks exciting features, and takes last place. After using your iPhone for a few weeks, you are a master. There isn't going to be anything groundbreaking to discover.
So in summary of Operating Systems, Android appeals to users who want more out of their phone, Windows Phone is great for the artsy type with its gorgeous designs and nifty features, and the iPhone is the rock-solid phone for users who don;t want to have to worry about anything.
Come back soon for the continuation of the blog-series, where I'll start talking more about the phones themselves and not just Operating Systems.
If you want to get in touch, you can tweet me on Twitter @QandAndroid, email me at QandAndroid@gmail.com, or see me lurking/posting/wreaking havoc on Reddit (username: QandAndroid).
My goal is to blog about 5 times a week here, so make sure you come back often!
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