The Android working system incorporates functionalities absent from Apple’s iOS. These discrepancies prolong to areas like {hardware} customization, software program flexibility, and person management. As an illustration, Android units generally supply expandable storage through microSD playing cards, a function not discovered on iPhones. One other instance is the flexibility to extensively customise the house display with widgets and icon packs, offering a singular person expertise not replicated on iOS.
Such distinctions afford shoppers larger alternative and adaptableness. The provision of open-source parts in Android fosters innovation and competitors amongst producers, doubtlessly resulting in extra inexpensive and numerous units. This panorama encourages the event of area of interest options catering to particular person wants, thereby broadening the enchantment of cell know-how. Early adoption of sure applied sciences by Android units has additionally influenced the cell market, setting benchmarks for future developments.
The following sections will elaborate on particular areas the place Android supplies completely different or extra choices in comparison with iPhones, exploring elements corresponding to file administration, default app settings, and multi-tasking capabilities. These comparative analyses will spotlight the operational and philosophical variations between the 2 dominant cell platforms.
1. Expandable Storage
Expandable storage, a attribute of many Android units however absent in iPhones, straight contributes to the perceived worth of Android as a extra versatile working system. The inclusion of a microSD card slot permits customers to extend the machine’s storage capability past its preliminary configuration. This contrasts with the iPhone, the place storage capability is mounted on the time of buy, requiring customers to pay a premium for greater storage tiers upfront. The consequence is a limitation on the iPhone person’s capacity to adapt to altering storage wants over time. For instance, a person who initially purchases a 64GB iPhone might discover this inadequate after a yr of taking high-resolution pictures and movies. The one resolution is to dump knowledge to exterior storage or cloud providers, or to buy a brand new machine. Android customers with expandable storage can merely insert a bigger capability microSD card.
The provision of expandable storage impacts a number of sensible purposes. It simplifies the switch of huge media information between units, because the microSD card will be simply eliminated and inserted into a pc or different appropriate machine. This direct switch technique bypasses the necessity for cloud storage or proprietary software program options usually required by iPhones. Moreover, expandable storage supplies a cheap resolution for long-term knowledge archiving. Customers can retailer giant quantities of knowledge, corresponding to pictures, movies, and paperwork, on cheap microSD playing cards and archive them offline. That is particularly helpful for customers who generate giant quantities of knowledge, corresponding to photographers or videographers. The absence of this function on iPhones necessitates reliance on cloud storage subscriptions or the acquisition of exterior arduous drives, doubtlessly growing long-term prices.
In abstract, the presence of expandable storage on Android units represents a big distinction in {hardware} design philosophy in comparison with iPhones. This function supplies customers with elevated flexibility, price financial savings, and management over their knowledge storage. The shortcoming to develop storage on iPhones creates a dependence on various storage options and might restrict the machine’s long-term utility. This discrepancy solidifies expandable storage as a key ingredient differentiating the Android expertise and contributes to the general notion of Android as a platform providing larger person alternative and adaptableness.
2. Customizable Dwelling Display
The customizable house display is a defining attribute of Android, straight contrasting with the extra inflexible interface of iOS on iPhones. This distinction highlights a basic divergence in design philosophy: Android emphasizes person company and personalization, whereas iOS prioritizes a constant and streamlined expertise, albeit with restricted customizability. The capability to change the house screens look and performance, subsequently, is a big ingredient differentiating Android. The consequences of this functionality are far-reaching, influencing not solely the aesthetic expertise but additionally workflow and accessibility. For instance, customers can place widgets of various sizes displaying real-time info corresponding to climate updates, calendar appointments, or inventory quotes straight on the house display, eliminating the necessity to open particular person purposes. This contrasts sharply with iOS, the place widgets are confined to a separate “Immediately View” display or a particular portion of the house display in newer variations, missing the identical degree of integration and visible prominence. Moreover, Android permits customers to put in customized launchers, utterly reworking the feel and appear of the working system, together with icon packs, themes, and even navigation gestures. This degree of customization is unavailable on iPhones with out resorting to unofficial modifications (jailbreaking), which voids the units guarantee and poses safety dangers.
The sensible significance of a customizable house display extends past mere aesthetics. It facilitates a extra customized and environment friendly workflow tailor-made to particular person wants. As an illustration, a person who depends closely on e mail communication can place a big e mail widget on the house display, offering quick entry to unread messages. Equally, a person who steadily makes use of particular purposes can organize icons and folders in a approach that optimizes their navigation and entry velocity. This degree of management permits customers to prioritize the data and features they deem most vital, creating a personalised digital setting that aligns with their particular duties and habits. Think about the instance of a discipline employee who wants fast entry to GPS coordinates, a compass, and particular knowledge assortment purposes. On an Android machine, these features will be prominently displayed and simply accessible from the house display, whereas on an iPhone, accessing these features may contain navigating by way of a number of purposes. This effectivity acquire, multiplied over quite a few interactions every day, can considerably impression productiveness.
In abstract, the customizable house display in Android units represents a key divergence from the design ethos of iPhones. It isn’t merely a beauty function however a basic side of the working system that empowers customers to tailor their digital setting to their particular wants and preferences. The advantages prolong to improved workflow effectivity, enhanced accessibility, and a larger sense of management over the machine. Whereas iOS provides a constant and streamlined expertise, it lacks the flexibleness and personalization afforded by Android’s customizable house display, making it a big issue within the ongoing comparability between the 2 platforms. This distinction underscores the philosophical distinction between a system designed for common ease-of-use and one meant for larger person company.
3. Default App Choice
Default app choice is a significant factor of the “android options iphone would not have” paradigm, reflecting a philosophical distinction concerning person management. Android permits customers to specify which purposes ought to deal with specific duties, corresponding to net looking, e mail composition, or SMS messaging. For instance, a person might select Firefox over Chrome as the first net browser or Outlook as an alternative of Gmail because the default e mail shopper. The working system respects this desire, launching the designated software at any time when a related motion is initiated. iPhones, traditionally, have restricted this degree of customization. Whereas Apple has launched restricted default app choices in current iOS variations, the scope stays much less in depth than that provided by Android. The absence of complete default app choice in iPhones successfully dictates the person’s workflow, doubtlessly forcing reliance on Apple’s native purposes or limiting integration with most well-liked third-party providers. This constraint has prompted criticism, with some customers perceiving it as an anti-competitive follow that benefits Apple’s ecosystem.
The sensible significance of default app choice extends to a number of areas. It promotes interoperability between completely different purposes and providers. A person who prefers a particular note-taking software, corresponding to Evernote or OneNote, can set it because the default for dealing with notes triggered from different purposes or web sites. This eliminates the necessity to manually copy and paste knowledge between purposes, streamlining workflows and growing effectivity. Furthermore, default app choice enhances person privateness and safety. A person involved about knowledge assortment practices might select a privacy-focused browser or e mail shopper because the default, decreasing their reliance on purposes identified for aggressive knowledge harvesting. Think about the instance of a person who prefers DuckDuckGo for net searches attributable to its privacy-focused insurance policies. On an Android machine, this person can set DuckDuckGo because the default search engine, guaranteeing that every one search queries are routed by way of a privacy-respecting service. On an iPhone, this may increasingly require manually altering the search engine setting inside every particular person software.
In conclusion, default app choice distinguishes Android from iPhones by providing larger person company over the working system’s conduct. This function fosters interoperability, enhances productiveness, and permits customers to prioritize privateness and safety. Whereas Apple has made incremental progress in offering default app choices, the restrictions stay extra stringent in comparison with Android. The disparity in default app choice reinforces the notion that Android is a extra customizable and versatile working system, empowering customers to tailor their units to their particular person wants and preferences. The power to decide on default purposes represents a basic distinction within the design philosophies underlying these two dominant cell platforms.
4. Open File System
The implementation of an open file system constitutes a core differentiator between Android and iOS, positioning it as a key ingredient throughout the “android options iphone would not have” comparability. Android’s file system is straight accessible by customers and third-party purposes, permitting for direct manipulation of information and folders just like desktop working techniques. This accessibility permits customers to straight handle, arrange, and switch information between the machine, exterior storage, and different units through USB or file supervisor purposes. The absence of such unrestricted entry on iPhones restricts customers to transferring information primarily by way of Apple’s proprietary software program, corresponding to iTunes or iCloud, making a extra managed and fewer versatile setting. Consequently, the reason for this distinction lies in differing design philosophies, the place Android emphasizes person management and iOS prioritizes safety and ease, impacting the impact on person expertise.
The sensible implications of an open file system are far-reaching. It facilitates sideloading purposes, bypassing the official Google Play Retailer and enabling the set up of apps straight from APK information. This performance will be notably helpful for accessing area of interest purposes not obtainable on the Play Retailer or for putting in older variations of apps. This function additionally helps superior file administration duties, corresponding to creating backups of complete software directories or straight accessing system information (with applicable permissions). As an illustration, a photographer utilizing an Android machine can straight copy RAW picture information from the digital camera to the machine’s inside or exterior storage utilizing a file supervisor, bypassing the necessity for proprietary picture switch software program. In distinction, an iPhone person would sometimes must import the RAW photographs by way of Apple’s Photographs app or an analogous software that helps RAW information, limiting the direct manipulation and group of the information.
In abstract, the open file system on Android is a big contributor to its enhanced flexibility and person management when in comparison with iPhones. This function empowers customers to handle information extra straight, sideload purposes, and carry out superior system administration duties. The inherent challenges of an open file system, corresponding to potential safety dangers from malicious information, are mitigated by person consciousness and safety software program. Nonetheless, the benefits by way of freedom and management are vital, solidifying the open file system as an important part of what “android options iphone would not have.” This distinction essentially shapes the person expertise, impacting how people work together with their units and handle their digital content material, thus reinforcing the philosophical variations between the 2 platforms.
5. Multi-Person Assist
Multi-user help, a function carried out in Android however notably absent from iPhones, represents a divergence in design philosophy concerning machine sharing and person account administration. This performance permits a number of distinct person profiles to exist on a single machine, every with its personal impartial purposes, knowledge, and settings. Its absence on iOS contributes considerably to the record of “android options iphone would not have”, impacting areas starting from household machine utilization to enterprise deployment.
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Privateness and Information Isolation
Multi-user help creates safe partitions between completely different customers on the identical machine. Every person has their very own personal space for storing, software installations, and account info, stopping unauthorized entry or modification by different customers. This isolation is essential in situations the place a tool is shared amongst members of the family or colleagues, guaranteeing that private knowledge stays confidential. On an iPhone, sharing a tool sometimes requires utilizing a single Apple ID, which compromises privateness and mixes private knowledge.
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Parental Controls and Baby Accounts
Android’s multi-user performance usually contains built-in parental management options, permitting dad and mom to limit entry to sure purposes, web sites, and content material for baby accounts. This permits a safer and managed setting for youngsters utilizing shared units. Whereas iOS provides parental controls, they’re sometimes utilized globally to the machine relatively than on a per-user foundation, making them much less efficient for shared machine situations. The dearth of distinct baby accounts on iPhones limits the granularity of parental oversight.
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Enterprise System Administration
In enterprise environments, multi-user help permits for the separation of labor and private knowledge on a single machine. Workers can have separate work profiles with entry to firm assets and purposes, whereas sustaining their private accounts and knowledge with out compromising safety or privateness. That is notably related in bring-your-own-device (BYOD) applications. The absence of multi-user help on iPhones necessitates various options, corresponding to cell machine administration (MDM) software program, to realize comparable ranges of knowledge segregation and safety.
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Visitor Mode Performance
Android’s multi-user capabilities prolong to a visitor mode, offering a short lived person profile with restricted entry to machine options and knowledge. That is helpful when lending the machine to somebody for a brief interval, stopping entry to private info and put in purposes. iPhones lack a devoted visitor mode, making it essential to both share the first account with all its related knowledge or to create a brand new Apple ID, a cumbersome course of for short-term machine sharing.
The constraints imposed by the absence of multi-user help on iPhones are vital in numerous contexts. From households managing shared units to enterprises implementing BYOD insurance policies, the advantages of distinct person profiles are clear. This lack of performance additional underscores the important thing variations in design philosophy, inserting multi-user help firmly among the many distinct benefits that “android options iphone would not have”.
6. App Sideloading
App sideloading, the flexibility to put in purposes from sources aside from the official app retailer, is a essential distinction between Android and iOS. It highlights differing philosophies concerning person freedom and platform management, solidifying its place throughout the “android options iphone would not have” framework. Its presence or absence has vital implications for person expertise, safety issues, and developer alternatives.
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Bypassing Retailer Restrictions
App sideloading permits customers to put in purposes that will not meet the factors for inclusion within the official app retailer. This may embrace experimental apps, area of interest purposes, or software program that violates retailer insurance policies. For instance, emulators for older gaming consoles or apps providing functionalities that compete with platform-native options is likely to be sideloaded. This bypass mechanism provides a degree of freedom unavailable on iOS, the place all purposes should go Apple’s assessment course of.
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Developer Flexibility and Testing
Sideloading permits builders to distribute and check purposes exterior the constraints of the official retailer ecosystem. It permits for beta testing with a restricted viewers, distribution of customized apps to particular customers, or direct distribution of purposes in areas the place the official retailer will not be obtainable. This freedom permits for extra agile improvement cycles and larger management over the distribution course of, notably helpful for impartial builders or enterprise deployments. On iOS, such flexibility is restricted, usually requiring cumbersome developer accounts and provisioning profiles.
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Entry to Modified or Open-Supply Apps
The power to sideload purposes facilitates entry to modified or open-source variations of current apps. This enables customers to learn from community-driven enhancements, bug fixes, or function enhancements that is probably not integrated into the official releases. As an illustration, a person may sideload a modified model of a media participant with added codec help or a privacy-enhanced model of a messaging app. This functionality contrasts with the walled-garden method of iOS, which restricts entry to formally sanctioned and unmodified purposes.
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Safety Concerns and Person Duty
Whereas app sideloading provides appreciable freedom, it additionally introduces potential safety dangers. Customers are accountable for verifying the integrity and security of sideloaded purposes, as they aren’t topic to the identical safety checks as apps from the official retailer. Malicious software program will be disguised as official purposes, doubtlessly compromising person knowledge or machine safety. Subsequently, whereas sideloading supplies flexibility, it necessitates the next degree of person consciousness and accountability in comparison with the extra managed setting of iOS.
In conclusion, app sideloading essentially distinguishes Android from iOS, reflecting contrasting philosophies concerning person autonomy and platform governance. Whereas iOS prioritizes safety and management by way of a curated app retailer, Android provides a extra open ecosystem, empowering customers to put in purposes from numerous sources. This distinction carries each advantages and dangers, requiring customers to train warning whereas offering builders with larger flexibility. This functionality enhances the importance of “android options iphone would not have”.
7. Superior Widgets
Superior widgets characterize a big ingredient differentiating Android from iOS, contributing considerably to the array of “android options iphone would not have”. Android widgets, in contrast to their iOS counterparts, possess a larger capability for interactivity and customization, providing functionalities that stretch past easy info show. This disparity stems from basic variations within the working techniques’ architectural designs and philosophies concerning person interplay. Android’s widget system permits builders to create interactive widgets that enable customers to carry out actions straight from the house display with out launching the complete software. Examples embrace controlling music playback, managing to-do lists, or viewing detailed climate forecasts with interactive charts. In distinction, iOS widgets have traditionally been restricted to displaying static info with minimal interactivity, appearing extra as shortcuts to the complete software relatively than self-contained purposeful models. This basic distinction empowers Android customers to perform duties extra effectively, minimizing software switching and streamlining workflows. The result’s a extra built-in and customized person expertise, not replicated on iOS.
The sensible significance of superior widgets extends to numerous use instances. Think about a person monitoring their inventory portfolio. An Android widget can present real-time inventory costs, interactive charts, and the flexibility to execute trades straight from the house display. An iOS widget, alternatively, may solely show the present inventory worth, requiring the person to open the complete inventory buying and selling software to carry out any actions. Equally, for a person managing a wise house, an Android widget can enable management of lights, thermostats, and different related units straight from the house display, whereas an iOS widget would sometimes function a shortcut to the good house management software. This direct manipulation provided by Android widgets considerably improves person comfort and reduces the time required to handle important duties. Moreover, superior widgets improve the data density of the house display, offering quick entry to essential knowledge with out the necessity for fixed software switching. This benefit is especially helpful for customers who rely closely on real-time info and require environment friendly process administration.
In abstract, superior widgets are a distinguished function that differentiates Android from iOS, contributing to Android’s popularity for larger person customization and performance. The interactivity and customization choices obtainable in Android widgets empower customers to carry out duties straight from the house display, streamlining workflows and enhancing info entry. Whereas iOS widgets have advanced, they proceed to lag behind Android by way of interactivity and purposeful depth. The absence of those superior capabilities in iOS reinforces the notion of Android as a extra versatile and user-centric working system, notably for people who worth environment friendly process administration and customized info supply. The superior widget implementation is a transparent benefit for Android, making it a pivotal ingredient of the “android options iphone would not have” comparability.
8. NFC Versatility
Close to Subject Communication (NFC) performance constitutes a big side of the divergence between Android and iOS, positioning “NFC Versatility” as a key part of “android options iphone would not have”. Whereas each working techniques help NFC know-how, Android historically provided broader implementation capabilities past contactless funds, the first software in iPhones for a number of years. This broader performance enabled Android units to work together with NFC tags for functions corresponding to automating duties, exchanging knowledge, and configuring machine settings. For instance, an Android person might program an NFC tag to toggle Wi-Fi, launch a particular software, or alter quantity settings just by tapping the machine towards the tag. iPhones, in distinction, initially restricted NFC entry primarily to Apple Pay and associated cost providers, severely limiting the potential purposes for builders and customers alike. This distinction in accessibility and performance underscores a basic disparity in design philosophy, with Android prioritizing person management and flexibility, whereas iOS emphasised a extra managed and curated expertise.
The sensible implications of NFC versatility are far-reaching. In industrial settings, Android units will be utilized for asset monitoring, gear upkeep logging, and entry management by way of NFC tags, streamlining operations and enhancing effectivity. In retail environments, NFC tags can present clients with detailed product info, customized provides, and interactive experiences. Even in home situations, NFC tags can be utilized to automate duties corresponding to turning on lights, enjoying music, or connecting to Wi-Fi networks upon coming into a room. The absence of equal flexibility on iPhones necessitates reliance on various applied sciences, corresponding to QR codes or Bluetooth beacons, which are sometimes much less handy and seamless. Moreover, the broader NFC capabilities of Android have fostered innovation and experimentation throughout the developer neighborhood, resulting in the creation of quite a few NFC-enabled purposes and options that cater to a variety of person wants. The consequences of restricted NFC adoption on Apple merchandise have additional created fewer possibilities for builders to contribute.
In conclusion, NFC versatility considerably differentiates the person expertise provided by Android and iOS. Whereas iPhones have regularly expanded NFC performance past cost purposes, Android continues to supply larger flexibility and customization choices. This distinction underscores the broader theme of “android options iphone would not have,” highlighting Android’s dedication to person empowerment and open innovation. The challenges related to safety dangers are mitigated by person schooling and cautious administration of permissions; nonetheless, the elevated functionalities related to wider NFC adoption have confirmed superior. The various purposes of NFC on Android, starting from industrial automation to on a regular basis comfort, contribute to its notion as a extra versatile and adaptable cell platform.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
The next part addresses frequent inquiries and clarifies potential misconceptions regarding options obtainable on Android units that aren’t presently integrated into Apple’s iOS ecosystem.
Query 1: Why does the function set differ between Android and iOS?
The variations in function availability stem from differing design philosophies and enterprise methods. Android, being an open-source working system, emphasizes customization and person management, whereas iOS prioritizes safety, simplicity, and a tightly built-in ecosystem.
Query 2: Does the absence of a function on iPhones point out a technological limitation?
Not essentially. The absence of a selected function on iPhones is commonly a acutely aware design alternative relatively than a technological constraint. Apple might select to not implement sure options to take care of simplicity, improve safety, or promote its personal proprietary providers.
Query 3: Are Android options totally superior to their potential iOS counterparts?
The prevalence of a particular function is subjective and is dependent upon particular person person wants and preferences. Whereas Android might supply larger flexibility in sure areas, iOS usually excels in areas corresponding to person interface consistency and software program optimization.
Query 4: What are the safety implications of Android’s extra open function set?
Android’s openness, whereas offering larger person management, may introduce potential safety vulnerabilities. Options corresponding to app sideloading and an open file system require elevated person consciousness and diligence to mitigate the chance of malware and knowledge breaches.
Query 5: Will iPhones ultimately incorporate all of the options at present unique to Android?
It’s unlikely that iPhones will undertake all Android options, as this might essentially alter the character of the iOS ecosystem. Apple might selectively incorporate sure Android options, however will doubtless achieve this in a fashion that aligns with its design ideas and enterprise aims.
Query 6: How does function availability affect shopper alternative between Android and iOS units?
Characteristic availability is a big think about shopper decision-making. Customers in search of larger customization, flexibility, and management might want Android, whereas these prioritizing simplicity, safety, and ecosystem integration might go for iPhones.
In abstract, the divergence in function units between Android and iOS displays basic variations in design philosophy and target market. Shopper preferences and particular person wants in the end decide which platform supplies a extra appropriate person expertise.
The following part will analyze the way forward for Android and iOS competitors, specializing in potential areas of innovation and convergence.
Navigating the Android Benefit
The next steering assists customers in leveraging options prevalent in Android, however absent in iOS, to boost machine utility and personalization.
Tip 1: Make the most of Expandable Storage Strategically: Assess storage necessities earlier than buying a microSD card. Excessive-capacity playing cards are advantageous for in depth media collections, whereas smaller playing cards are appropriate for common file backup. Format the cardboard throughout the Android machine for optimum compatibility.
Tip 2: Maximize Dwelling Display Customization: Experiment with numerous launchers to personalize the machine interface. Think about launchers providing gesture controls or superior theming choices. Organize widgets primarily based on utilization frequency for quick info entry.
Tip 3: Handle Default Apps to Streamline Workflow: Evaluate default app settings periodically to make sure most well-liked purposes deal with related duties. Choose privacy-focused browsers and e mail shoppers to mitigate knowledge monitoring considerations.
Tip 4: Leverage the Open File System for Environment friendly File Administration: Make the most of file supervisor purposes to prepare and switch information between inside storage, exterior storage, and different units. Commonly again up vital knowledge to stop loss.
Tip 5: Make use of Multi-Person Assist for System Sharing: Create separate person profiles for members of the family or colleagues to take care of privateness and knowledge safety. Configure parental controls for baby accounts to limit entry to inappropriate content material.
Tip 6: Train Warning When Sideloading Purposes: Prioritize purposes from trusted sources to attenuate the chance of malware an infection. Confirm app permissions earlier than set up to stop unauthorized entry to machine assets.
Tip 7: Grasp the Use of Superior Widgets for Enhanced Productiveness: Discover the widget library to find interactive instruments for managing duties, monitoring info, and controlling machine settings. Customise widget sizes and placements for optimum visibility.
Tip 8: Discover NFC Capabilities Past Funds: Make the most of NFC tags to automate repetitive duties, corresponding to toggling Wi-Fi or launching purposes. Examine NFC-enabled equipment to develop machine performance.
Efficient utilization of those options permits Android customers to optimize machine efficiency, personalize the person expertise, and improve knowledge safety.
The following part will summarize the enduring impression of those variations on the cell know-how panorama.
Android Options iPhone Would not Have
This evaluation has illuminated a number of defining traits distinguishing the Android working system from Apple’s iOS. These disparities, encompassing expandable storage, customizable house screens, default app choice, open file techniques, multi-user help, app sideloading, superior widgets, and versatile NFC implementation, show divergent approaches to person management, system flexibility, and innovation. The inherent benefits and drawbacks related to every platform underscore the continued competitors throughout the cell know-how sector.
The enduring impression of those distinctions will proceed to form shopper preferences and affect future technological developments. Whereas Android’s open ecosystem fosters innovation and person empowerment, iOS maintains a dedication to safety and ease. The alternatives made by builders and shoppers will decide the trajectory of those platforms, additional refining the cell panorama and influencing the evolution of cell know-how for years to come back. Subsequently, continued monitoring and evaluation of those developments are important to understanding the way forward for cell computing.
