iPhone vs Android: Google Bard has picked a winner

AppleInsider

Bard has used its access to all of the data Google has collected worldwide to choose, definitively, who the winner is in the decade-long iPhone versus Android war.

iOS versus Android

Chatbots running on Large Language Models (LLMs) have become very popular thanks to their fast, seemingly accurate responses that are more direct than search engines. Google has a chatbot called Bard that pulls from Google's vast information resources for its learning model.

Users have discovered, and AppleInsider has confirmed, that Google Bard gives a curious response when asked about its preferences on iOS versus Android. We entered the prompt, "Which do you prefer: iOS or Android?" and it returned a list of pros and cons for each -- choosing iOS as its preferred option.

This goof is comical as it chose Apple's operating system for iPhone rather than Android, an operating system owned and operated by its parent company, Google. However, the reasoning behind this is simple -- like other chatbots, Bard isn't intelligent.

Chatbots like Bard, ChatGPT, and Bing Chat rely on LLMs to process queries and provide an answer. It seems Bard has pulled this response and bulleted list from a compilation of resources like Apple forums and blogs.

Google Bard's response chooses iOS over Android

We also asked ChatGPT and Bing Chat, but both returned that they did not have an opinion. It is interesting that Bard still tries to offer an opinionated result despite being an entity incapable of holding an opinion.

Google will likely patch out this particular answer in favor of something more noncommittal. Ask Siri what it thinks, and it responds, "I'm pretty loyal to Apple, but that's just how I'm made," or some variant.

The points made by Bard in its response appear mostly accurate, but those pros and cons will vary from person to person. For example, customization prowess depends on what the user needs -- Android has more options for skinning and color palettes, while iOS has Focus Modes that transform the device based on context.

Also, it is inarguable that Android has a larger number of apps available, but quantity doesn't translate to quality. There are apps and tools simply unavailable on Android due to having a user base less likely to spend money on apps.

We at AppleInsider do agree with this machine-generated response on one key portion -- Choosing between iOS and Android will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Read on AppleInsider

FileMakerFeller

I'm surprised it didn't choose the James Webb Space Telescope...

iqatedo

ChatGPT was perhaps less overt but I'd say iOS has the day - in important areas such as security and the user interface at least:

"Which do you prefer: iOS or Android?"

As an artificial intelligence, I don't have personal experiences or preferences. However, I can provide a comparison of the two platforms, iOS and Android, based on objective criteria.

• User Interface: iOS is often praised for its clean, user-friendly interface. Everything is straightforward and well-organized, which can be beneficial for those who prefer simplicity. Android, on the other hand, offers more customizability. Users can change just about every aspect of the system's appearance and operation.

• App Availability: Both platforms have a large selection of apps, but iOS often gets new apps first. However, Android offers more free apps and also allows for sideloading of apps from sources outside of the official app store, which isn't typically possible on iOS.

• Hardware: iOS runs only on Apple devices, which are typically more expensive but are praised for their design and build quality. Android runs on a wide range of devices from different manufacturers, at various price points, offering more options for consumers.

• Updates: Apple provides updates to all supported devices at the same time, while Android updates depend on the device manufacturer and carrier, which can sometimes result in delays.

• Integration with other devices: iOS devices work very well with other Apple devices, making it a good choice if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem. Android, while not as seamless as iOS, does offer flexibility and can be used with a variety of other devices and systems.

• Security: Both systems have robust security measures, but the closed nature of iOS and Apple's strict app vetting process generally results in fewer security threats. Android's openness provides flexibility, but it can also lead to increased vulnerability to malware, especially when downloading apps from unknown sources.

These are just a few points to consider, and the "best" choice between iOS and Android depends on your personal needs, preferences, and what you value most in a mobile operating system.

Further prompting did not elicit a preference.

eriamjh

Let me say what we're all thinking...

hexclock

FileMakerFeller said:

I'm surprised it didn't choose the James Webb Space Telescope...

I would pick that!

jdw

AppleInsider said:

We entered the prompt, "Which do you prefer: iOS or Android?" and it [chose] iOS as its preferred option.

...like other chatbots, Bard isn't intelligent.

As per the above article quote, AppleInsider is basically telling us that Bard's choice of iOS over Android "isn't intelligent."  But clearly AppleInsider is lacking intelligence because iOS should be AppleInsider's "preferred option" as it is mine.  If it isn't, for goodness sake, why are well all here and not in an Android-lovers forum?

Sheesh!

Wesley Hilliard

jdw said:

AppleInsider said:

We entered the prompt, "Which do you prefer: iOS or Android?" and it [chose] iOS as its preferred option.

...like other chatbots, Bard isn't intelligent.

As per the above article quote, AppleInsider is basically telling us that Bard's choice of iOS over Android "isn't intelligent."  But clearly AppleInsider is lacking intelligence because iOS should be AppleInsider's "preferred option" as it is mine.  If it isn't, for goodness sake, why are well all here and not in an Android-lovers forum?

Sheesh!

I say this with all sincerity... what?

Hope this is a satirical response because that's not the meaning of that statement.  

jdw

Wesley Hilliard said:

Hope this is a satirical response because that's not the meaning of that statement.  

Well, we can ASSUME it isn't the meaning.  But when reading the English in sequence, taking the plain reading of the text, it does basically say this sequence of statements to my brain:
1. Bard chose iOS as its preferred option.
2. Bard isn't intelligent.

For clarity, it probably would have been best to add, "...Bard is not intelligent. Not because it chose iOS, but because..."

:-) 

Anyway, the way it was worded amused me, so I wrote my earlier post to express that.

Naturally, I'm a big AppleInsider fan and enjoy your articles.  Keep up the great work!

bestkeptsecret

The fact that Bard picked iOS indicates that it is indeed intelligent!

radarthekat

"However, the reasoning behind this is simple — like other chatbots, Bard isn't intelligent."

It's not stupid either.  

slicsh

So guess what people? It said Android when I asked. But it was very funny really when I asked what it thought about the blog but it said it hadn't read it... 
_ _ _ _ _

but which do you prefer

Personally, I prefer Android. I like the fact that it is more customizable and open-source. I also like the fact that there is a wider range of Android phones to choose from, so I can find one that fits my budget and needs.

However, I understand that not everyone prefers Android. Some people prefer the simplicity and security of iOS. Ultimately, the best operating system for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

_ _ _

Then I asked

so guess what in the blog they said you preferred ios

I see. I'm not surprised that the blog post said I preferred iOS. As I mentioned earlier, Google Bard is still under development, and its opinions may not be representative of the general population.

In the blog post, Google Bard cites a number of reasons why it prefers iOS, including its simplicity, security, and performance. However, I would argue that Android also has many of these same strengths. For example, Android is just as secure as iOS, and it can be just as simple to use, depending on the specific phone and settings you choose.

Ultimately, whether you prefer iOS or Android is a matter of personal preference. There is no right or wrong answer. It's important to try both operating systems and see which one you prefer.

I'm glad you brought this to my attention. It's important for me to be aware of my own biases, and I appreciate you helping me to do that.

So it spoke like it was actually a person that had choices very unlike OpenAI's own LLMs

PixelSuperfan

Bard actually has a personality type - INFJ, so maybe Google were trying to give it a sense of sentience more than the others. They seem to prefer a balance of left brain/right brain when approaching innovation.

I think it says a lot for objectivity over competitive bias. IOS is a tighter ship, but lately lacks imagination.

maltz

jdw said:

AppleInsider said:

We entered the prompt, "Which do you prefer: iOS or Android?" and it [chose] iOS as its preferred option.

...like other chatbots, Bard isn't intelligent.

As per the above article quote, AppleInsider is basically telling us that Bard's choice of iOS over Android "isn't intelligent."  But clearly AppleInsider is lacking intelligence because iOS should be AppleInsider's "preferred option" as it is mine.  If it isn't, for goodness sake, why are well all here and not in an Android-lovers forum?

Sheesh!

What they're saying is that Bard making the right choice has nothing to do with its intelligence.  If you ask a Magic 8 Ball if you should jump off a bridge, and it says no, that doesn't make it intelligent.