History of Mobile Operating Systems
INTRODUCTION
A little known aspect of cellular phone technology is actually an integral aspect as to why cell phones are the dynamic and useful technology they are today: the mobile operating system. Since the vast development of mobile phones, mobile operating systems have been introduced in order to create a more functional cell phone that has wider application possibilities and is able to host more features. The further development of mobile operating systems has in turn allowed for further development in cell phone technology and has transformed the cell phone industry from a simple “make-and-receive” phone calls business to a wide and vast market that has multiple uses for both, personal and business uses.
CELL PHONE DEVELOPMENT
When Motorola introduced the first cellular phone in 1983, the Motorola DynaTAC, or more commonly known as “The Brick,” mobile technology capability was rather simple. The phone worked on an analog communication system, weighed around 2 pounds, and could only make and receive phone calls. These simple phones were known as the first generation, or 1G, cell phones. 2G, or second generation, cell phones were much smaller than their 1G predecessor. 2G cell phones switched from analog to digital communication systems and emitted less radio power than previous cell phones. The switch from analog to digital also allowed 2G cell phones to broaden cell phone capabilities to include SMS text messaging.
The development of 3G (third generation) cell phones is when cellular technologies came to be the dynamic gadgets that are seen today. 3G cell phones also include what are known as Smartphones, or mobile phones with personal computer (or PC) capabilities. These 3G cell phones still maintain the digital communication and the SMS text messaging established in 2G cell phones, however they have grown to include:
· Internet and data transfer capabilities
· Web browsers
· Fully functional e-mail
· Built-in camera/video recorder
· Larger internal memory or expandable memory
· Live radio/TV stream
· GPS navigation
· Bigger screen and higher screen resolution
· Touch screen inputs
· QWERTY keyboard input
· Personal Assistant features, such as calendar, contacts, and scheduling
Some 3G smartphones even have the capability to support text file programs, such as Microsoft Office, which allows users to view and work on such text files and presentations.
· Internet and data transfer capabilities
· Web browsers
· Fully functional e-mail
· Built-in camera/video recorder
· Larger internal memory or expandable memory
· Live radio/TV stream
· GPS navigation
· Bigger screen and higher screen resolution
· Touch screen inputs
· QWERTY keyboard input
· Personal Assistant features, such as calendar, contacts, and scheduling
Some 3G smartphones even have the capability to support text file programs, such as Microsoft Office, which allows users to view and work on such text files and presentations.
THE EMERGENCE OF MOBILE OPERATING SYSTEMS
The onset of 3G technologies is what enabled the need for the development of mobile operating systems. In fact, without the invention of mobile operating systems, the highly capable 3G cell phones would be rendered useless. In order to function properly, much like computers, these cell phones needed some sort of operating system that makes them operable.
Since most all 3G cell phones are meant to run with computer-like operations, they need an operating system that links and manages the cell phone hardware with the software as well as allocate processing to different applications. This linkage allows the cell phone to be accessible and usable by the end user. Initially, operating systems needed only to make a cell phone operable to make phone calls.. Today however, with the rise of applications and uses of cell phones, operating systems have become necessary to allow internet capabilities, induce data transfer, manage personal assistant functions, operate GPS navigation, download data onto the phones, manage a contacts list, enable Bluetooth devices, operate touch screens and QWERTY keyboards, and many more applications that cell phones are enabled with now.
As there are multiple operating systems for PCs meant for different purposes, there is also a multitude of operating systems available for cell phones that are also geared towards different functions and come with different applications and capabilities. Depending on the overall function of the cell phone as well as what the user will be using the cell phone for, the different operating systems allow for a cell phone to meet the customer’s specific need and may allow for higher individualization.
Since most all 3G cell phones are meant to run with computer-like operations, they need an operating system that links and manages the cell phone hardware with the software as well as allocate processing to different applications. This linkage allows the cell phone to be accessible and usable by the end user. Initially, operating systems needed only to make a cell phone operable to make phone calls.. Today however, with the rise of applications and uses of cell phones, operating systems have become necessary to allow internet capabilities, induce data transfer, manage personal assistant functions, operate GPS navigation, download data onto the phones, manage a contacts list, enable Bluetooth devices, operate touch screens and QWERTY keyboards, and many more applications that cell phones are enabled with now.
As there are multiple operating systems for PCs meant for different purposes, there is also a multitude of operating systems available for cell phones that are also geared towards different functions and come with different applications and capabilities. Depending on the overall function of the cell phone as well as what the user will be using the cell phone for, the different operating systems allow for a cell phone to meet the customer’s specific need and may allow for higher individualization.
