We do everything on our phones these days. This is true whether we use them for work or play. Even professional writers are gravitating more toward mobile solutions to stay more focused and productive.
For the professional writer, access to useful tools and the functionality of those tools is critical to success. Are there devices and operating environments that are more conducive to productive, creative work than others?
Android Vs iPhone – Writing Platform
Let’s take a look at the two most significant power player: Apple iOS and Android. Are there advantages or disadvantages to either that successful writers should know? Let’s take a closer look.
Choosing a Device
The writing apps professional writers use will often determine the devices they use. The same apps don’t always behave and respond the same way across platforms (we’ll take a closer look at this concept momentarily). Some work better on one than they do the other.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Apple has the benefit of faster devices and ease of use. They also don’t clutter their tools with bloatware as many Android phone manufacturers do. Android, on the other hand, has advantages like expandability and better file storage options. The UI is also highly intuitive and easy to navigate.
Is there a definitive answer about which device to buy? In the end, it comes down to doing some research and deciding which device(s) would best suit the writers’ own goals.
Suggested Read: Best Gaming Laptops Which You Can Use For Mining
Availability of Applications
While it is true that some writing apps are specific to either Apple or Android, there are usually practical alternatives to popular ones for each. There are also plenty of web-based apps that work with either operating environment with identical or near-identical features for each. Some that are available on both platforms include:
Hemingway – The Internet’s premier AI editor and redactor, Hemingway has positioned itself as a leading app for writers who want to improve their craft progressively. The app is web-based and therefore, ready for use on any device, iOS, Android, and more.
EssayPro – Don’t like the idea of an AI critiquing your work? EssayPro has proofreaders and editors that provide a more human touch. While this site and others like it are more well known for being places for struggling college kids to order an essay online, this one, in particular, stands out. It is a premiere copywriting and editing service, complete with an extensive free online knowledge base available to anyone who wants to improve their writing skills. EssayPro is accessible from any desktop or mobile device.
Grammarly – The Grammarly app is also web-based with both free and premium services. It is a little bit simpler than Hemingway but has many of the same functions. It flags problems with grammar and syntax and helps writers come up with better ways to deliver their messages.
Suggested Read: Best Accessories For Your New Motorola G6 Smartphone
Dueling App Versions
Since portability is a primary concern for modern mobile app developers, you will be hard-pressed these days to find any productivity app that doesn’t have versions for both major mobile operating environments.
Some app versions, however, provide different features and functions, and there are the rare few that are platform-specific. Those titles are also often premium, subscription-based services with features that can all be found on other apps for free. When selecting a writing app, the responsible writer should note the differences that exist between platforms and ask if those differences are significant enough to affect which device to use.
Many apps for iOS, for example, don’t provide functionality for storing and saving local copies of document files, opting instead for cloud-based solutions. This is a common thing with iOS apps since device storage has never seemed to be a primary concern for Apple’s developers. The same app ported to Android, however, might have better local storage options since most Android devices are more expandable and allow for more local storage space.
Another issue with multi-platform apps is automation. Many developers use automation software to “translate” code into something readable on both iOS and Android but fail to pore over all affected functions prior to launch. Discovering the inevitable problems this causes and finding them in the middle of a writing session can be a huge distraction. If an app was initially designed for one platform, it would always work better on that platform, so do some research on which version came first.
Suggested Read: Best Health Apps Which You Can Use On Your Apple TV
Choosing Good Apps
When you rely on technology to keep productive, it is essential that the tools you use possess the features and functions needed to keep work flowing. For this reason, it is necessary to know the limits of any app you decide to apply for professional writing before developing a productivity plan around it.
Many apps have the same basic features, but some execute those features better than others. Some apps written for one platform perform well there but don’t translate well to others. iOS and Android have fundamental differences that also present limitations for developers and prevent simply porting identical versions to both platforms.
There are specific ways to ensure that the apps you choose will work out for you in the long term. The easiest of these is to be informed. Read reviews of the version you will be using and decide, based on what other users have to say, whether or not that particular app will help you meet your writing goals, deadlines, etc. Never assume that apps are going to be the same cross-platform. They almost never are.
Suggested Read: Best Productivity Apps For MacBook To Get More Work Done
Apple or Android: The Verdict(?)
To answer the question in the title: the better platform for writers will always depend on that writer’s needs and goals. If there are more apps for iOS that meet your specifically defined needs, invest in Apple devices. If more control over things like local file management is more critical, Android might be the better play. Assess your own needs and decide from there which platform will serve you best.
Do all the research you can before making a decision. The information above should prove to be enough of a foundation to start making an informed assessment. Writers need work environments that are conducive to both creativity and productivity, so be sure to choose devices and apps that jibe with your tastes and habits, regardless of the platform.
Author Bio: Piers Golden is a writer who has been professionally engaged in the sphere since 2013. He covers the following topics: writing, education, marketing and more. Piers also features blogs on essay writing at EssayPro. You can find him on Facebook.
