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4 things Android N can do that iOS 9 can't

At Google's annual conference, its Android N operating system breaks new ground against Apple's iOS 9. However, in other ways, it's still playing catch-up.

Lynn La Senior Editor / Reviews - Phones
Lynn La covers mobile reviews and news. She previously wrote for The Sacramento Bee, Macworld and The Global Post.
Lynn La
3 min read
Watch this: Android N packs new features, and you get to name it

During Google's annual developer's conference, Vice President of Engineering at Android Dave Burke introduced a handful of new features coming to the company's latest mobile operating system. Known (for now) as Android N, the mobile software will feature beefed-up security updates and new emojis.

And while there are a few features in N that Apple iOS users (the world's second-most popular mobile OS platform) will recognize, there are enough new tricks and goodies in N to set it apart -- and arguably ahead.

Google's update will begin rolling out in the fall. Because Apple usually releases its iOS updates to the public in September, the company will have plenty of time to respond to Android's challenge. Until then, check out all the ways Android N edges out iOS 9 and the ways it does not.

Google I/O 2016: Daydream, Home and other big takeaways (pictures)

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New Android N features:

What's new in iOS 9 (pictures)

See all photos

Things Android N can do that iOS already does:

  • Replying within Notifications: When a new message pops up in the notifications shade, Android users can now reply directly from the notifications menu without having to open the texting app. Apple introduced this interactive notifications feature two years ago with iOS 8.
  • Grouping apps in Notifications: Notifications from the same apps are now grouped together, making it easier to read through and address (or dismiss) alerts from the same app. You can already do this on iOS when you toggle on the option in the Settings menu.
  • Night Mode: To reduce eye strain from viewing a bright display at night, Android N has a Night Mode setting that tints the screen yellow, which keeps you less revved up in later hours than the usual blue tint. You can also adjust the brightness and tint of the sepia hue, too. Apple was first to introduce something similar, dubbed Night Shift, with iOS 9.

We can't wait to use Android N for real, and to see how Apple responds with its forthcoming iOS 10. For all of CNET's coverage, check out all the news from Google I/O 2016.


This article also appears in Spanish. Read: ¿Qué tiene Android N que no tenga iOS 9? aquí te lo explicamos