Popular as Apple’s iOS mobile platform is, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. There’s also Google’s Android—a widely used mobile OS in its own right. Last week, Google held its I/O developers conference in San Francisco. And more than a few announcements coming out of that event should be of interest to iOS device owners—for how it may or may not influence what Apple does with its own mobile platform, if nothing else.
I’m joined by senior editor Dan Moren and senior writer Lex Friedman to talk Google I/O. Specifically, we look at where Android is playing catch-up to iOS and where Apple is lagging behind what Google has to offer. (Here’s a hint: It rhymes with “maps.”) We also briefly discuss subscription music services, like the one Google just unveiled as well as Google CEO Larry Page’s unusual Q&A session.
Listen to episode 356
Show notes
Lex took a look last week at how Google’s I/O moves measure up to what Apple offers, and that frames much of our discussion. Specifically, the three of us look at new Android APIs that largely match what Apple already offers, changes to Android gaming that will largely feel familiar to anyone who uses iOS’s Game Center, and a redesign of the Google Play store.
The improvements to Google’s Map offerings should be of interest to anyone who uses either Google’s mobile or desktop mapping tools. Be sure to head Armando Rodriguez’s hands-on look at Google Maps to learn about all the changes in detail.
Speaking of new things from Google, the company also announced its All Access subscription music service. Our colleague Jonathan Seff goes hands-on with All Access.
As for Larry Page, you can read a complete transcript of his remarks at Google I/O before Jason Snell tries to figure out what’s making Larry Page so sad. (We also enjoyed Mat Honan’s take over at Wired.)
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