Android vs. Apple: Google Chairman Eric Schmidt Says Android is Winning War; Critics vs. Consumers' Reviews

In this battle between mobile software giants, Apple and Android have often been compared and measured against one another.

This week, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt told Bloomberg News that his company was not only beating out their arch rival Android, but they were growing at a record pace not seen since Microsoft began dominating computer desktop software in the 1990s.

"This is a huge platform change; this is of the scale of 20 years ago -- Microsoft versus Apple," Schmidt told Bloomberg. "We're winning that war pretty clearly now."

The basis of his statement?

Customers are activating more than 1.3 million Android devices a day, according to Schmidt. Meanwhile, information technology research firm Gartner Inc., said that Android took 72 percent of the market in the third quarter, while Apple netted only 14 percent.

Matched up head-to-head, the two mobile platforms--both of which have diehard supporters--have both those who praise their platforms and those who criticize them.

Katie Nielsen of Top Ten Reviews matched the mobile devices made buy both companies in variety, app availability, and music and movie multimedia content. While Apple's iPhone shines in the availability of music and movies, she finds, Android has more distribution channels from which to get apps from and more models to offer, as well as a user design that can be modified better to the consumer's tastes. 

"If you're already an iPhone user, you may not find anything worth jumping ship for. However, if you're looking for something other than Apple's hallmark flavor, Android may just be the right mobile OS for you," Nielsen concludes.

Priya Viswanathan of About.com says that Android is more liberal than Apple for developers in its development of apps, while Apple provides "a more stable, exclusive platform for app developers" by clearly specifying tools.

"In conclusion, both the Andriod OS and the Apple iOS have their own pluses and minuses. Both are equally strong contenders and are bound to rule the app marketplace with their own strengths and positives," she writes.

Mike Gikas at Consumer Reports says that the iPhone has a head-and-shoulders advantage in voice command technology with Siri, although Android's control capabilities he calls "quite good."

However, the Android is the better phone in terms of navigation.

"Android has more detailed maps, better traffic info, and more customization. Apple has a few glitches, and until those are worked out, Android carries the day," Gikas said.

Matt Myftiu of Delco Times said that both Apple's iPhone and Android's Galaxy S3 model run neck-and-neck in overall performance and quality, "but the undeniable truth is that the iPhone 5 is finally catching up to its Android competition - namely the Galaxy S3. Most specs are very close between the phones, but the Galaxy S3 has some features that you can't do with iPhone (NFC) and better maps/navigation."

"The iPhone may still be a great phone, but we're long past the day where it was assumed to be the best phone on the market," he concludes. "That only lasted a couple years, really. This time around, the Galaxy S3 gives the iPhone 5 a good run for its money, and is arguably better, so I would recommend all new smartphone buyers contemplating buying either phone try out both and see what side of the argument they choose to be on."

As for consumers, the verdict is split between both brands as to which is the better phone.

"Verizon Iphone 5 does not allow you to talk and surf the net at the same time. That is TERRIBLE!" writes user Lizette on Delco Times.

"Well, iPhones are faster and the places or title of things are easier...but I like the size for galaxy and I like the key board and the way you change pictures. But for iPhone, its more lighter and stronger, I just don't know what to buy," writes Delco Times user  Ahmad Elkari.

"If so many more android devices are sold with prominent Google search options, why do all my sites get so many more hits from iOS devices? I realize it isn't a holistic cross-the-board view, but it's the only stats I have first hand knowledge of," writes user Steven Hook on Forbes. "I got more than double the amount of page views on iOS devices than android."

Rich Allen posted on U.K.-based tech web site Phones Review, "The tiny screen size and the lack of 4G are deal killers for me. I'll stick to Android."