Windows Phone 8 Vs iOS 6: Which OS is better?

Maps

Navigation has emerged as being one of the most important factors to be possessed by a smartphone. Mapping is seen as a plus point for Google, with all the Google listings, among other things. However, this year, iOS, which had been using Google Maps earlier, came out with its own Maps powered by TomTom. Windows, which earlier offered the not-so-successful Bing Maps, saw a new hope in Nokia Maps that came with the Lumia series of handsets. Windows Phone is expected to feature Nokia Maps, which not only offer the usual turn-by-turn navigation, like others, but also add in downloadable international maps. It also offers 3D street navigation and Nokia's Navteq Traffic Service. Apple now has its own mapping app and it integrates it with real-time traffic updates. Another most talked about feature is Flyover, which offers a 3D view of cities. Here Apple, however, supposedly plans to put to use its popular voice assistant, Siri, to guide users and offer additional functionality. We think, both are on equal ground here.

Corporate features...

Apps

The Windows Phone Marketplace has more than 100,000 apps and several apps are on their way. Windows Phone 8 just added an audible app for audiobooks, official apps from Chase and PayPal are in the works, while Gameloft has Windows Phone versions of Asphalt 7: Heat and N.O.V.A. 3 Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance on the way. Moreover, apps and games intended for Windows Phone 8 will work on Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro, which will help bring seamless integration and convergence. Considering the current scenario, Apple is a clear winner here as its App Store has been around for a while and is inundated with apps in almost every segment.

Compatibility

Current Windows Phone users may be disappointed, as they will not get the Windows Phone 8 update. However, Microsoft plans an update, called Windows Phone 7.8 for the existing devices, which will bring to them the WP8 start screen with customizable live tiles. iOS 6 is expected to roll out in the next two months. It had been made available for devices launched since 2009, like iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad 2, new iPad and the fourth generation of the iPod Touch. However, all iOS 6 features won't be accessible on older devices.

New calling features with iOS6..

Miscellaneous

Here, Windows Phone 8 adds removable microSD card support, allowing users to load their devices with easily movable content. Apparently, one may not require the Zune software for transferring content. Apple still stays loyal to its iTunes, and there isn’t support for microSD cards. Moreover, Windows Phone adds NFC support - another factor that goes missing on iOS devices. If Apple has the new Passbook feature to store passes and tickets, then Microsoft has announced the Wallet feature with the Windows Phone 8. However, Apple has more goodies in its miscellaneous section, like the Siri functionality, which has undergone some more grooming for the iOS 6. In addition, it has Shared Photo streams and guided access.

As we’ve said earlier, Microsoft’s new Windows Phone 8 is promising, but with the iPhone 5 and Jelly Bean in the works, it may have to do some catching up. What do you think, will Windows Phone 8 be an iOS 6 killer?