Table of contents:
- Smart widgets
- An app drawer ... also smart
- The Safari option that we would not only like to see in Android 11
- The iOS 14 privacy option
- AirPlay with everything iOS 14 offers
- Double tap on the back
- Better update support
iOS 14 was not only in the news a few days ago for its novelties, but for the functions that it "copies" from Android 11, the new version of Google's operating system. In an article we review all these characteristics. However, Android 11 we miss some functions that we do see in iOS 14. In this article we review 7 functions of iOS 14 that we would like to see already in Android 11.
Smart widgets
Yes, in Android 11 we already have widgets. In fact, they have been practically since the beginning. In iOS 14 we already had them, but in a practically hidden side area. However, the new widgets have a feature that we would like to see on Android: they are, in a way, smart. That is, in iOS 14 we can apply a smart stack of widgets on the home screen. That is, we can stack several widgets in the same place on the home screen. For example: a weather widget, the music app, the Activity app… In a smart way, iOS will show the information of that widget depending on our uses.
If we go out every morning to do sports, the activity widget will be displayed. If later we put music in Apple Music, it will show the music widget. So with other user routines.
An app drawer… also smart
Another function that we already have on Android, but on iOS it goes a little further. The iOS 14 app drawer, called 'App Library' works in a smarter way. In Android the applications are not grouped, but they appear all alphabetically ordered. While in iOS 14 the applications are organized by smart drawers. Again, the system adapts to our uses and orders the apps by folders. Therefore, if we always use the same applications, it will place them in the Suggestions folder.
Also, applications are sorted into folders automatically. The system detects if an app is related to productivity, social, entertainment, and places it in that area automatically.
In Android 11 we would like to see this: the possibility that the apps are ordered by folders automatically in the application drawer. That you install an app on Google Play and it will automatically be located in the corresponding folder. In addition, with the option to choose if we want to see all the apps in alphabetical order or in this way, which personally I find much more intuitive.
The Safari option that we would not only like to see in Android 11
With iOS 14 we can see which trackers Safari has blocked from collecting our data. It is one of the best iOS options in terms of security. And we would like to see this not only in Android 11, but in all platforms that support Google Chrome. Mainly because this function is integrated into the browser. Google Chrome is the only browser that still does not show this feature. If you want to know more details about the iOS 14 tracker blocker, you can read here.
The iOS 14 privacy option
iOS 14 shows a small dot above the screen when an app is using an iPhone resource. For example the camera, the microphone or the location. So we can know if that app is using it when it should (for example, when we record a voice note) or activates the microphone or another option when it shouldn't. For example, when navigating the interface. If we slide in the control center we can see which function is activated.
Android 11 does not have this option, and we would like to see it practically in the same way: with an indicator in the upper area and with the possibility of seeing what that app is using by sliding the notification panel.
AirPlay with everything iOS 14 offers
Google has yet to announce its alternative to AirPlay for Android. Transferring files and audio between devices works great on iOS 14, and now offers more features with AirPods. We would like to see an AirPlay for Android in Android 11, with the ability to quickly send content from any device, even without having to be from the same manufacturer. It is something that is expected for later, and hopefully it works as well as in the new version of iOS.
Double tap on the back
One of the most interesting accessibility features of iOS 14: the ability to perform different actions by double or triple tap to access some options. For example, the control center, take a screenshot or make a shortcut. In an article with the best iOS 14 tricks I comment on how this feature works and how it is applied.
In Android 11 we have the possibility to perform some actions through gestures, but not this option of iOS 14 that works so well. We would like to see something like this on Android. For example, being able to choose to open the camera app with a double tap. Or access an app with a triple press on the back.
Better update support
It is clear that iOS beats Android in update support. In Android they only update the terminals launched two or three years ago, while there are iPhone from 5 years ago that are still updating, and they work very smoothly. In Android 11 we would like to see a greater deployment of this version. Especially in mid-range mobiles.
