I recently spent a year using only Apple products. Here are my comparisons of Android and iOS. Note: These comparisons detail system allowances by the manufacturer.
Android:
I have been using Android device since the release of the HTC Dream/G1.
* Released: 2008
* Obtaining the source code for Android: Easy, allowed except for Google proprietary apps, free
* Changing and re-distributing the sources: Easy, allowed except for Google proprietary apps, free
* Compiling your own system: Complicated, allowed, free
* Creating clone systems: Allowed
* Learning to code: Easy, allowed, free, one official language
* Switching kernels: Easy, requires rooted device
* Switching desktop environments: Not applicable
* Switching window managers: Not applicable
* Obtaining apps: Easy, allowed, free, multiple sources
* Advertisements in apps: In many free apps
* Creating and distributing apps: Easy, allowed, free, one official language, no approval necessary
* Creating and distributing themes/skins: Easy, allowed, requires rooted device
* Cost of hardware: Varies depending on your needs
* Where to find hardware: Android can be installed on various hardware
* Aesthetic quality of system: Appealing
* Creating a multi-boot system: Easy, allowed, free
* Access to system files: Requires rooted device, if/when root is available
iOS:
I switched to iOS from Android in early 2012 because I wanted to experience the iPhone and iPod.
* Released: 2007
* Obtaining the entire source code for iOS: Not available
* Changing and re-distributing the entire sources: Not allowed
* Compiling your own system: Not applicable due to unavailable sources
* Creating clone systems: Not allowed
* Learning to code: Easy, developer fees, one official language
* Switching kernels: Not allowed
* Switching desktop environments: Not applicable
* Switching window managers: Not applicable
* Obtaining apps: Easy, allowed, worthwhile apps cost money, one source
* Advertisements in apps: In many free apps
* Creating and distributing apps: Easy, developer fees, one official language, requires app approval
* Creating and distributing themes/skins: Requires jailbroken device
* Cost of hardware: Expensive compared to non-Apple equivalents
* Where to find hardware: Purchase from Apple
* Aesthetic quality of system: Appealing, one theme
* Creating a multi-boot system: Not allowed
* Access to system files: Requires jailbroken device, if/when a jailbreak is available
In 2013 I gave up on Apple products and returned to Android and Linux. The reasons for my return:
Android devices are cheaper (prices are for contract-free devices):
The Nexus 4 (latest Phone): $299
Nexus 7 (latest 7 inch tablet): $199
Nexus 10 (latest 10 inch tablet): 399
iPhone (latest phone): $649
iPad mini (latest 7.9 inch tablet): $329
iPad (latest 9.7 inch tablet): $499
I'm back on Android and I've learned quite a bit. Long live Android
Android:
I have been using Android device since the release of the HTC Dream/G1.
* Released: 2008
* Obtaining the source code for Android: Easy, allowed except for Google proprietary apps, free
* Changing and re-distributing the sources: Easy, allowed except for Google proprietary apps, free
* Compiling your own system: Complicated, allowed, free
* Creating clone systems: Allowed
* Learning to code: Easy, allowed, free, one official language
* Switching kernels: Easy, requires rooted device
* Switching desktop environments: Not applicable
* Switching window managers: Not applicable
* Obtaining apps: Easy, allowed, free, multiple sources
* Advertisements in apps: In many free apps
* Creating and distributing apps: Easy, allowed, free, one official language, no approval necessary
* Creating and distributing themes/skins: Easy, allowed, requires rooted device
* Cost of hardware: Varies depending on your needs
* Where to find hardware: Android can be installed on various hardware
* Aesthetic quality of system: Appealing
* Creating a multi-boot system: Easy, allowed, free
* Access to system files: Requires rooted device, if/when root is available
iOS:
I switched to iOS from Android in early 2012 because I wanted to experience the iPhone and iPod.
* Released: 2007
* Obtaining the entire source code for iOS: Not available
* Changing and re-distributing the entire sources: Not allowed
* Compiling your own system: Not applicable due to unavailable sources
* Creating clone systems: Not allowed
* Learning to code: Easy, developer fees, one official language
* Switching kernels: Not allowed
* Switching desktop environments: Not applicable
* Switching window managers: Not applicable
* Obtaining apps: Easy, allowed, worthwhile apps cost money, one source
* Advertisements in apps: In many free apps
* Creating and distributing apps: Easy, developer fees, one official language, requires app approval
* Creating and distributing themes/skins: Requires jailbroken device
* Cost of hardware: Expensive compared to non-Apple equivalents
* Where to find hardware: Purchase from Apple
* Aesthetic quality of system: Appealing, one theme
* Creating a multi-boot system: Not allowed
* Access to system files: Requires jailbroken device, if/when a jailbreak is available
In 2013 I gave up on Apple products and returned to Android and Linux. The reasons for my return:
Android devices are cheaper (prices are for contract-free devices):
The Nexus 4 (latest Phone): $299
Nexus 7 (latest 7 inch tablet): $199
Nexus 10 (latest 10 inch tablet): 399
iPhone (latest phone): $649
iPad mini (latest 7.9 inch tablet): $329
iPad (latest 9.7 inch tablet): $499
I'm back on Android and I've learned quite a bit. Long live Android