Last summer, both Google and Apple officially announced the latest versions of their mobile operating systems. Apple unveiled the iOS 9 at an annual fall event on Sep. 9 with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Three weeks later, Google launched Android Marshmallow on Sep. 29 along with its new Nexus devices.

Interface

Android Marshmallow doesn’t bring much change in the user interface unlike Lollipop, which is a complete refresh. It retains the Material Design with some minor refinements to the changes introduced by Android Lollipop. A status bar, rotating home screen, Quick Settings, RAM manager and more storage options are few of the tweaks brought in by Android Marshmallow, as reported by AndroidPit.

The latest version of Apple’s mobile OS is said to be more “intelligent” than its predecessor. The latest version enabled developers to integrate their apps into iOS 9.

The look and feel of Android Marshmallow is more attractive than Apple’s iOS 9 as it follows the conventional pattern. Android Marshmallow has more personalisation options and changes the user interface.

Privacy and security

The revised apps permission is one of the most important changes in Android Marshmallow. The operating system will seek permission from the user before installing as app. Thus, it secures the most private information like online banking account details, private photos and documents.

The Cupertino tech giant already has a native fingerprint scanner in place. The iOS 9 with a “six digit password” and a two-step authentication process will bring better security to iPhones.

Multitasking

The multitasking support is the most important change iOS 9 introduced to Apple iPads. The “split screen” functionality now enable users to work on multiple applications simultaneously. The Split View and Slide Over modes of the iOS give it an edge over its rival OS, reports Neurogadget. Google’s Android 6.0 Marshmallow also comes with Multi-app and split-screen support to help users work on two apps at the same time.

Google Now vs. Siri

On Android Marshmallow, Google Now on Tap is definitely one of the star features. While using an app, the user can ask any question related to the application. Google’s virtual assistant will understand the context, intelligently track content from frequently searched data and come up with a suggestion. Google Now will now be available with just a tap on the Home screen.

In iOS 9, Siri has been completely redefined with contextual improvements. With proactive search capabilities, Siri enhances user experience. Apple’s voice assistant is far more active and knowledgeable than ever. If the user receives a call from an unknown number, Siri can dig into the emails to come up with a suggestion.

Battery life

Android Marshmallow will improve the battery life of a device many fold. The “Doze” feature helps the device remain in the sleep mode and automatically stop all background processes to improve battery life. Motion detectors can sense when the device is not in use. There’s also USB-C support for much faster charging.

Apple also added the new “low power” mode in iOS 9 to significantly boost battery life by three hours. The company also promised that the standard battery life in iOS 9 would improve by an hour.

Similarity

Both iOS 9 and Android Marshmallow are compatible with NFC and allow users to make payments through Apple Pay and Android Pay. The iCloud on iOS 9 is quite similar to the concept of Google Drive on Android Marshmallow.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au or tell us what you think below.