Today, Bloomberg released an article stating that Apple's billion-plus devices running iOS hold significant advantages over Google's fragmented Android ecosystem. Accompanying this claim is an image (https://i.bosscdn.com/blog/59/68/1f/612739e~ivr_baidu_autow600~.jpg), which highlights the growing divide between these two tech giants.
Bloomberg noted that despite Google launching augmented reality (AR) tools three years ahead of Apple, very few Android devices actually feature these functionalities. As a result, they haven't seen widespread adoption. On the other hand, Apple’s tightly integrated ecosystem allows it to seamlessly combine its software and hardware. Developers believe this advantage could enable Apple to rapidly close any gaps in the AR space.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen such a pattern play out. Back in 2014, Google Wallet entered the market before Apple Pay, yet Apple’s payment solution quickly became more popular. It's possible the same trajectory will follow with Apple’s ARKit.
Arbel Güller, creator of several AR applications, echoed this sentiment: "Once they release ARKit, my apps will instantly be compatible with millions of phones. That’s a huge leap forward for us."
Further analysis from Bloomberg emphasized that Google introduced its Tango AR platform back in 2014 and updated it earlier this year. Unlike Apple's ARKit, Tango relies on advanced infrared depth sensors, which are only available on two current smartphones—Lenovo’s Phab 2 Pro and Asus’ ZenFone AR. In stark contrast, ARKit can leverage existing iPhone hardware, such as cameras and gyroscopes, to deliver comparable results.
One of the major challenges facing Google is what industry insiders call "fragmentation." Because Android updates depend heavily on hardware manufacturers and carriers, new features like Tango often take longer to roll out across the broader user base. Currently, only around 11.5% of Android devices run the latest version of the OS, compared to 86% of iOS devices using the most recent iOS version.
For instance, the creative team at Divers Collective found Tango intriguing but not compelling enough to integrate into their projects. However, following Apple’s introduction of ARKit in June, they immediately began exploring ways to incorporate it into their work, resulting in innovative AR experiences like a virtual rocket landing in a swimming pool or a 3D moon hovering in a living room.
From Apple’s perspective, ARKit represents a critical step toward its long-term vision for augmented reality. Recent trademark filings suggest the company may soon unveil smart glasses, hinting at the potential for ARKit to serve as the foundation for future wearable devices.
As both companies continue to push boundaries in AR technology, the coming months will undoubtedly bring exciting developments. Whether Apple can maintain its momentum or if Google can overcome its fragmentation issues remains to be seen.
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