yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[General Topics] GnatGoSplat:
Wow, seriously? I actually thought the iOS task switcher was FAR more intuitive. I was able to find it immediately, and killing an app was easy to find and far more intuitive as well.

iOS task switching = double tap of the home button.

Android task switching = touch and hold the "home" button.

I thought iOS seemed easier to find because you can double-tap faster than pressing and holding. After using Macs and PCs, we're all already used to double-clicking.

Killing tasks, in iOS it's simple. Press and hold till they wiggle, then tap to close. Easy to figure out if you're familiar with rearranging icons. In Android, you have to go to Settings, Applications, Manage Applications, find apps you think are running, then click "Force Stop".

Don't get me wrong, I prefer Android over iOS, but to say iOS task switching/multitasking is worse than Android, that's nuts!
[General Topics] Knucklessg1:
Very same question i went with my mom a week ago, I let her play with an iPhone for around 3 days (My dads) and then an Android Device (My Old HTC HD2) and although she said Android took more to learn, it became a much more user friendly device than iPhone. Her previous phone was a garbage free phone from 2006 and she wanted to move to the smartphone era. It can't get more un bias than that.
[General Topics] MartyLK:
Not me. There very first thing I do when I boot up a newly built or reinstalled PC OS is select the single-tap function. I can't stand the double-tap business...unless it's killing zombies with a sawed-off shotgun. :D

Android is designed to automatically deal with apps running in the background, no need to close them. And using an app killer causes problems. iOS requires maintenance of the running apps.

I also forgot to mention, the Sense 2.0-based Android ROMs do task switching from the drop-down notification bar. Very convenient. There may be other versions of Android that allow the notifications bar switching but I don't know. However, there is a plethora of available add-in apps that will do task switching as well. There is no limit to the amount of customizing one can do with Android. A person can easily set it up to look, feel and be exactly as they desire.
[General Topics] GnatGoSplat:
When you do need to close them on Android for whatever reason, it's definitely not intuitive. I haven't noticed iOS requiring any kind of maintenance of running apps. I've had dozens running with no noticeable degradation in performance. I usually kill them just because I don't need them running in the background for any reason. That, and it gives me something to do on the iPhone because there are no widgets to play with.

Uninstalling apps is another thing that I think is much more intuitive in iOS. There are extra steps and lists to scroll through on Android.

Not to mention the Menu button, it takes some getting used to having options hidden in there. iOS presents all its options onscreen. Granted, it takes up precious screen real-estate so I prefer the menu button, but a non-technical person can navigate iOS more easily when they can see everything they can do on that screen.

I would bet if there were 5-year old twins, you presented one twin with an Android phone and the other with an iPhone, the one with the iPhone would have it figured out faster.
[General Topics] MartyLK:
In Android versions from certain phone makers, that's true. Unless you install an uninstaller app. But with the un-customized versions of Android 2.2x and 2.3x the apps list is right in the main menu. You press the menu button and then select "Manage apps" and it brings up a list of all apps. You can uninstall or force-stop them easily. But each phone maker builds their version of Android differently where feature and conveniences vary. It isn't as easy as uninstalling apps in iOS where, once you go through the process of getting the little red circles to show at each app, you simply tap the red circle, but the task switching is so much easier. If there is ever a need to stop an app...like if it is running poorly or what not...the system will present the user with a pop-up giving them the option of force-stopping the app or waiting it out.

The thing that is hurting Android presently is the many customized versions being produced. Each branded phone maker adds their own UI overlay to most of their lines of phones and they change up the conveniences Android naturally has so much so that people attribute any inconvenience to Android rather than the phone maker. Android itself has all of these great conveniences. But the phone makers ruin them sometimes.
[General Topics] jazymonkey:
Going for android. It just need some getting used to in the begging, after that... very very friedly :D
[General Topics] traju:
Iphone has very good hardware. In my opinion iOS is good system for "I don't care people". It's good out of the box. If you want have just good system and don't want to bother on custom roms, modding iOS will be the best choice. But for me, I prefer Android. I know to get all from my phone I must get custom rom etc. but I like it, I like the way I can customize rom to myself, I can fit it exactly to that what I expect and need for my phone.
[General Topics] calyxim:
+1

Me mate's 2 year old son can operate an iphone.
[General Topics] solarpenguin:
I find Apple iOS to be the easiest to use (i.e. I recommended it for my mom) because it is simple and rigid. That being said, I am a big fan of Droid because of the flexibility and constant community improvement; I get annoyed when Steve Jobs dictates what I can and can't do on my phone.

I guess it just depends on what your definition of "user friendly" is.
[General Topics] taksu:
Depends on what you want and need. iOS for one who wants a ready-to-go package and doesn't care for customization that much. For me, it's always gonna be Android. I just love to fiddle with it and customize everything to my liking :)
[General Topics] Seihaku:
iOS is idiot proof, very simple and you'll always get the same interface no matter what you do -- so you can easily recover.

Android is very simple on the surface, but since it is highly customizable (you can replace your contacts software, dialers, home screen, default mms/sms applications, etc; ) it requires a little common sense and has a bit of a learning curve if you intend to take advantage of the customizations.

I say go iOS if you just want a modern smart phone with modern features and don't intend on really getting into it (I don't like the rigid-ness of iOS, but love the standby battery life the iPhones get.) Only go with Android if you're one of those people that likes to customize extensively (not required but it is a main benefit.)
[General Topics] awesomecomb:
No question, go with iOS. There is nothing to the OS, there is absolutely nothing that the user can truly screw up. Turn the phone off then on, it fixes itself.
[General Topics] anthonya1g:
I was about to say that iOS is more user-friendly, but now that I think about it, Android is not so complicated. My cousin who is technically challenged, in other words a "dumbass" when it comes to smartphones, has an Android phone.

Like another user said, try both of them and go with the one you feel more comfortable with.
[General Topics] crushvic:
I think iOS is for women and Android is for man..just my opinion
[General Topics] Tada1096:
I think ios is user friendly. End of story
[General Topics] MartyLK:
I agree. The main thing is "user friendly" rather than simple. User friendly is where something isn't a pain to use. iOS is simple, but there are things that are a pain to use compared to Android. One example is the app settings. You have to go into the main settings page to adjust app settings. In Android the specific app settings are within the app. Another example is the search function. You don't get a web search bar in iOS. In Android you can tap the Google search bar and start typing. The best you can do in iOS is install the Google app and each time you want to use, you have to let it initialize. A minor annoyance but clearly less user friendly than Android.

Another example is the widgets. You can quickly see at a glance what's happening with weather or other things. In iOS you have to boot the specific app to see what's going on. Another thing...in iOS, the command buttons are at the top of the screen. In Android they are at the bottom near your fingers. In Android you get the excellent free Google voice nav. In iOS, unless you pay a hefty price, you don't get any kind of truly reliable free voice nav. The pain comes from all the effort of trying find and use a voice nav app. In Android you tap an icon and it's there and ready.

A lot of this may seem like nitpicking, but it indicates that iOS isn't quite as user friendly as Android. But as you said, try both and see which one suits. Excellent advice.
[General Topics] CAxVIPER:
If I really had to choose it would be windows phone 7. But out of those 2 I find them about the same. I would go with Android though.
[General Topics] milesxd:
I'd say iOS is more simpler and plain to use, while android gives more flexibility and rooted features.
[General Topics] GnatGoSplat:
This was fact in a Nielsen survey 6-months ago!
[General Topics] sony3127:
Honestly, they both operate and navigate in fairly similar manner. For the average user, the more important question should be whether you want to play games, surf the web, or use it for business. Each platform has both strengths and weaknesses. Android happens to be my personal favorite, but I really see nothing wrong with iPhones and iPads EXCEPT for the fact that they don't support Flash. (which is completely beyond me as to how Apple thought that was a good idea) Anyway, the only thing I can recommend is NOT to get a BlackBerry. Those things, in my opinion, are an outdated and terrible platform by today's standards. They PlayBook tablet is pretty good, but a BlackBerry cell phone is just a horrible purchase if you ask me. Both the iPhones and the higher quality Android phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy line or Motorola Droid line, are going to be great phones. If you are a power user though, I would lean towards the Android phones ;)
[General Topics] joshyy_rey:
+1... Thats just the truth IOS is just friendly not saying youre dumb but its for simple ppl..Theres not thinking involved when using it. very easy
[General Topics] sajidmkhan:
first for me it was ios but now days i am in love with Android
[General Topics] DroidXDoesAndroid:
iOS is the most friendly, along with most boring. There's nothing to do to customize whatsoever.
[General Topics] ginsoakedboy81:
iPhone

Go for iPhone. Android's are easy to use too, but iPhone's are made with user friendliness as the key goal.
[General Topics] LiquidSolstice:
Surveys are facts now? Really?
[General Topics] spysot:
android rocks man!! if you like widgets..hacking...free apps...and many many others advantages choose android...
[General Topics] :
iOS is fast, usually doesn't give errors and is definitely more simple. I would recommend iOS for you.

I have an Android. I have it because IMO it's better when you get used to it and figure out how to use it.
[General Topics] samzh:
no headache, no geeks, lol.

dude, choose iphone anyway.
[General Topics] hisuperman:
IOS more battery life
[General Topics] Arrive Early Leave Late:
I'm surprised this thread made it to 24 pages! Thanks for all the posts.

It's not that I'm not into technology or anything, I am. The problem is, I'm about efficiency. I don't really care for "customizing" or ROMing/flashing the device. IMO It's extra work that isn't productive (or extra work that shouldn't be required in order to be productive). I used to be into all this hardcore back with WM, BB, etc...

I don't need a phone to tinker with, as I said just a phone that works when I need it to. No headaches, straight efficiency. No bull**** battery pulls, resets, etc.

No headaches, again... so if anything is wrong with the phone I can just give it to someone to fix it. If I need the GPS I want it to work. If I want to sync my phone, I don't want to go through 100 steps to do so.

Based on the poll, it seems neck and neck... so you guys really think iOS and Android are on the same level of efficiency, seamlessness, user friendliness, customer service, and "no headaches"?
[General Topics] Instinctlol:
User-friendliness is in favor of iOS, everything else favors android
[General Topics] Lunchbox115:
Well, if you like the iOS-ui but prefer Android you should use MIUI. ;)
[General Topics] ub3rhacks:
iOS is attractive for most people because it's a packaged system with fit and finish. If you're comfortable doing what apple says, when they say it; iOS is for you because it will work and it will work well.

For those of us using android devices, we use them because we enjoy the ability to leave the constraints of the provider. Even when jail breaking the iPhone, apple still places restrictions on the end-user experience.

For me (a previous iPhone user) switching to android was a welcome change, but for an individual looking for a product that works when you want it to work, iOS is the way to go. Especially once apple introduces android-like features in iOS5.
[General Topics] mordekainen:
Well... I'd say iOs (and I'm an Android fan).

I think it is friendlier because it's simpler and has fewer options (but this options work very well).
[General Topics] lukitas12:
i like android. I'm running it right now and its gr8
[General Topics] mighty-z28:
If you want easy go for the IOS but if you want Power go for the Android !!!
[General Topics] thunderroid:
User Friendly: iOS

Customization Friendly: Android
[General Topics] etp:
Although Android, must say iOS is more user friendly.
[General Topics] TheATHEiST:
I fail to see your logic there, HTC was originally a Windows Mobile device manufacturer.
[General Topics] Artnicks:
I think both systems at the same level. The matter of personal preference.
[General Topics] nibras_reeza:
iOS is more user-friendly until you want to jail break it or you want to push the limits.

Android isn't as use-friendly as iOS but it's more phun and it has not limits.
[General Topics] nazix:
I would recommend IOS because easy to work and no headaches
[General Topics] SCrid2000:
Yeah, as far as simple, ready to use, no knowledge needed, go with iOS. My personal fave is BBOS, but I don't think too many people here agree with me on that. No fights guys, just my opinion :)
[General Topics] TNIYM:
IOS definitely but I still experience bugs, hangs with it. All smart phones experience issues one way or another.
[General Topics] menell:
I use and like Android
[General Topics] naturist:
Using both, I would suggest to go for iOS.
[General Topics] scottmog:
If its for a person who knows jack crap about electronics I would go ios. U can't really screw it up and even a monkey could use it.
[General Topics] kloobasa:
I mean that iOS is very simple. More than should be
[General Topics] Dripz167:
As much as I like Android, you'd have to either be naive or never used iOS to say that iOS is less user friendly.

Besides the obvious changes on the iPad version due to screen size, iOS runs the same on all it's devices.
[General Topics] ameedi600:
I personally like android and I've had blackberrys, windows phones, iphones, and android phones. In my opinion android is the most fun to customize but when it comes to being simple, go with ios.
[General Topics] jassyfr:
Android is open and fun,

Apple is easy but closed.:p
[General Topics] nibras_reeza:
Blackberry OS is the most solid out there but unfortunately, it lacks apps.
[General Topics] davidfig:
IPhone is more seamless

In a nutshell this is true. But I would like to talk about another issue. Cost. I have an IPhone (original) and I am dropping it for the Motorola Triumph and here is why.

I have paid ATT about $180us for 5 phones. Only two of those phones have a data plan. Recently I picked up one Virgin Mobile phone for testing and I have concluded its about as good as ATT for my uses. But here's the kicker, for 5 people its $125us a month and all phones have data plan. If I were to add data plan to my ATT it would go up to $230 or more. So I am saving over $100 per-month by making this change.

As a side note, due to the Android community my test phone is also a hotspot that I can use in a jam on vacation. I'm a high tech user and so far Virgin Rocks.
[General Topics] supermandroid:
That's a difficult statement to answer. I voted for Android simply because that is what I prefer.

I'm the Network Analyst at my company, and I "officially" support the company phones (which are iPhones) as well as support the Android phones that my coworkers use because I also own an Android phone.

I really don't think that either one is all THAT much more intuitive than the other. It took me about the same amount of time to figure out what I specifically wanted to do on each OS.

People that have gotten used to iOS don't like Android, and vice versa. It really boils down to a matter of opinion.

I tell my tech head friends to go Android hands down (except the dual-booting Android, iOS had me intrigued), and the people that will only use their device as a phone and download a few apps as games to get an iPhone.
[General Topics] BlackWolf80:
I love android :-)

Inviato dal mio Optimus 2X
[General Topics] vnvman:
As a Desire owner since day one, i say iOS. Flame on...
[General Topics] Babydollll:
The customization on iOS is severely limited compared to Android. What kool-aid have you been drinking?

Sent from my NS (no it's NOT SNS or GNS)
[General Topics] trippinz:
Iphone is the easiest but android is the best if you get used to it and if you root it.
[General Topics] rogerpwc:
android die hard fan here and i would say IOS for you. THAT IS IF you don't want any troubles rooting etc. but that is the fun of it
[General Topics] jnapp18:
Ios is the easiest. But its no fun
[General Topics] dooley19:
If you want better battery life get IOS
[General Topics] fabzbear:
Agh, both are easy n both r friendly. Right off you can get technical with Android even without rooting and OS you would have to jailbreak to get the slightest technical.

Still both are easy.
[General Topics] Nudua:
I'd say go for iOS as well, couldn't even begin to imagine trying to explain an Android based phone to someone less tech savvy.

Heck I couldn't even find out how to remove some of the pre-installed crap my brother had on his new Android phone.
[General Topics] pl0ppy:
People who voted Android are hardcore geeks (like me, but I voted iOS) or extremely hardcore Android fanboys. C'mon now, would you rather give you grandmother who never had a smartphone before a Nexus S or an iPhone 4?

You all know it deep inside that, while Android is more open, and generally 'better' (depending on your point of view, I think Android is better for me, but not everybody) iOS is MUCH easier to use.

Just my 2 cents.
[General Topics] hungry81:
C'mon HOW is it easier to use? Both would be incomprehensable to my grandmother, but my other relatives could learn BOTH in the same amount of time. Infact I suggest it would take them longer to work out what you are allowed to do and are not allowed to do with itunes than it would take them to drag and drop a file in android. PS I gave you an internets.
[General Topics] gcogger:
I've recently changed my mind on this, and I've voted for Android. I hadn't looked at an iPhone for ages, but tried to use one in a shop the other day. Yes, it's easy to start an app but, beyond that, I found it awkward. For example, the lack of a 'back' button and the lack of a 'menu' button left me baffled how to go back a screen or change the settings in any app. I know I'm used to Android now, but I also know that I didn't get the same problems when I started with it.
[General Topics] vnvman:
Yeah i'm starting to think the same...tho you have to consider that on ics phones we won't have those buttons anymore, so we're doomed to use on-screen buttons anyway i guess...i understand that a button free phone is sexier, but imho it's a bad move to go totally without them.
[General Topics] r3awak3n:
I would say ios in btw those two. Windows phone 7 is even more user friendly than ios imo.
[General Topics] Asperity:
Is this serious? Almost every (maybe even every?) app that has multiple screens in a non-tabbed display, the back button is in the top left corner, and all app settings are either accessible in app itself (ie like Pandora), or are accessed in the "Settings" app ie.. Facebook.
[General Topics] gcogger:
Yes, quite serious. I don't recall which apps I was playing with but, on more than one occasion, I couldn't work out how to go back to the previous screen (and I develop software for a living, so I'm no novice). You could be right about the settings - maybe I did need to go the the separate 'Settings' app. That's not obvious and not user friendly in my book, though - you shouldn't need to exit an app and go somewhere else just to find its settings.

I guess everyone has there own view of user friendly - that's why there's a poll for this thread :)
[General Topics] scottmog:
Exactly how I feel. Id never go ios myself but for an old person etc... I def give them an ios. It hurts me to say it, I am def an android fan boy. But its practically a fact... ios is made for easier for the population. Ios is what made smartphones popular, the retard hipsters haha :)
[General Topics] GnatGoSplat:
An iOS app presents you with only the buttons that are available at the moment, so you don't have the issue of the back button sometimes taking you back to the previous screen or sometimes taking you out of the app entirely. iOS is simpler in this regard, it only seems complicated after you've become accustomed to how Android works. I used iOS for years and it wasn't a problem. Then I switched to Android for a few months, went back to iOS and suddenly I started to miss the always-there back button. It was never an issue before I got used to Android. For a smartphone n00b who has never used either, it's not a problem and probably is simpler to only present the buttons that are available to them for that particular screen.
[General Topics] z33dev33l:
WP7 hands down.
[General Topics] gcogger:
As I said above:

I guess everyone has there own view of user friendly - that's why there's a poll for this thread :)

Personally, I find a consistent interface (e.g. always having a back and a menu button) to be user friendly. I found the iPhone to be frustrating when I tried to use it, which isn't something I felt even the first time I picked up an Android phone. But that's just me...
[General Topics] ayopancheezy:
pretty much sums up everything. i made the switch from iOS to Android a few weeks ago and even though i made the switch because iOS is buggy and a headache when jailbreaking it, it's much more simple to use when you don't do anything like that.

Both at stock Firmwares, iOS definitely is the easiest to use.
[General Topics] lukitas12:
andorid without hess! (L) android!
[General Topics] IluvID:
Of course android. Although more people vote on iOS for user friendly, it is only for the beginners. Customizing is limited to wallpapers and dock on iOS (with the exception of jailbroken iPhones), while on Android, you can use third party keyboards, launchers, status bar, lockscreen, and, for the advanced, even remove the stock OS (ROM)! Never tried iPhone or other iOS devices, but based on the videos and reviews online, like that.
[General Topics] naturist:
Just to correct you, you can use third party keyboard like swipe, different lockscreen, widgets in docks and status bar, add gestures to close apps, swipe gesture to browse running apps, who told ya can't customize iOS. All you need is an iOS jailbreak devices. I am using iPhone 5 and sold my note 2, using xperia to satisfy Android needs with Nexus 7, iPad 3. Both OS are good in their own perspective, but I like iOS better as it doesn't lag with even 1gb ram, whereas my note II was lagay with even 2gb ram.

Better quality apps/games=iOS

If you like to flash custom roms=Android

If you're a noob7=WP8
[General Topics] GamaPL:
Android 4.2 have better user-experience for me :) And there is Android 5 incoming!