The mobile landscape has dramatically shifted since the 2009 launch of the iPhone 3G and the App Store. The “There’s an app for that” era brought a software-centric approach to technology, with the iPhone often leading the way in app innovation. While cross-platform availability has improved, some developers still prioritize iOS, leaving Android users wanting. Here are five iPhone apps we’d love to see on Android.
Live activities from the Flighty app on the iPhone
Flighty: The Ultimate Flight Companion
For frequent flyers and aviation enthusiasts, Flighty is a game-changer. Its automatic syncing with email, TripIt, and calendar, along with booking reference integration, eliminates manual data entry. Flighty provides detailed taxiing and flight times, predicts delays, and offers real-time gate, baggage claim, and connection information, often surpassing airport display boards in accuracy.
A route map and information on the Flighty app
Flighty’s historical flight data is another valuable feature, simplifying trip planning and providing a convenient record of past travels. Itinerary sharing with family is seamless, streamlining travel coordination, even with complex, overlapping bookings. The ability to temporarily track friends’ flights adds further convenience. Flighty sets the bar high for flight tracking apps, making its absence on Android keenly felt.
PDF Expert: The Powerhouse PDF Editor
Three screenshots from the PDF Expert app on the iPhone
Signing documents on the go is a necessity for many, and PDF Expert excels in this area. Developed by Readdle, the creators of Spark Mail, PDF Expert offers a comprehensive suite of tools. Annotating, editing, filling forms, and adding signatures are all streamlined within the app. iCloud syncing with Mac and iPad ensures seamless workflow continuity, and Apple Pencil integration on iPad further enhances the experience. While Android has its share of PDF apps, none match PDF Expert’s comprehensive functionality and polished user interface.
Parcel: Simplifying Package Tracking
Three screenshots from the Parcel app on the iPhone
Parcel streamlines package tracking across hundreds of couriers worldwide. Its minimalist iOS and Mac apps, complemented by a web interface, offer a clean and efficient tracking experience. Managing multiple deliveries from various couriers becomes effortless with Parcel’s push notifications and centralized tracking system. The ability to store up to 200 deliveries and export history to PDF adds further practicality. Parcel’s affordable annual subscription and ad-free experience make it the gold standard for package tracking.
Apple News: A Superior News Aggregator
Three screenshots from the Apple News app on the iPhone
Apple News stands out as a highly effective news aggregator, seamlessly syncing numerous feeds and offering personalized content recommendations. The Apple News+ subscription provides access to premium publications, broadening the scope of available content. Its intuitive interface and curated content discovery make it a valuable resource for staying informed. The lack of an Android version is a missed opportunity for Apple to expand its reach.
Fantastical, iA Writer: Productivity Powerhouses
Someone holding an iPhone 16, showing a home screen.
Fantastical offers a sleek and feature-rich calendar experience, simplifying the management of multiple calendars and time zones. iA Writer, a minimalist writing app with robust Markdown support, streamlines content creation for various platforms. While iA Writer was previously available on Android, its recent discontinuation leaves a void for writers seeking a focused mobile writing environment.
Download Fantastical
Download iA Writer
The iPhone 16 Pro screen next to the Pixel 9 Pro
While the app gap between iOS and Android is narrowing, the disparity in quality and features for certain apps persists. This difference, coupled with the unique offerings of some iOS exclusives, continues to make a compelling case for using an iPhone.
