Mobile Operating Systems Today
WHAT ARE MOBILE OPERATING SYSTEMS
Generally, mobile operating systems are operating systems for a cellular device. The general purpose of a mobile operating system is to control a mobile device’s hardware and software so that it acts in the manner that it is specified to function at. For example, an operating system ensures that when a web browser icon is clicked, a web browser window will open. Like computer operating systems, mobile operating systems are the platform installed onto your cell phone on which the cell phone applications and functions run on. This operation granted by the mobile phone operating system allows for different applications and numerous functions to run on a cell phone, such as making phone calls, text messaging, internet, GPS navigation, and other “fun applications” available today, including weather applications, games, TV/Radio, music downloads, and the creation of text files. In other words, an operating system is what allows all aspect of a cell phone device to work properly.
WHAT MOBILE OPERATING SYSTEMS DO
One purpose of all mobile operating systems is to allow the user to change how their cellular device works without having to alter the physical aspects of the device or having to get a new cellular phone every time something is changed. An example of how a cell phone can be changed with the use of an operating system is the installation or deletion of a cell phone application. For example, adding a GPS application will enable a cell phone to give turn-by-turn directions; the addition of this application without having to get a new cell phone is possible through the use of an operating system that allows this application and integrates it into the cell phone device.
Another primary and important function a mobile operating system is responsible for is the carefully management of all hardware components and software resources of the cellular device. More defined, a mobile operating system allocates battery power and processing speeds to the phone’s hardware, such as the keypad or QWERTY keyboard, camera, and screen, as well as to the software, such as the dialing function, internet and network connections, contacts list, and the several applications each cell phone hosts. In doing so, the operating system ensures that each mobile phone application gets the resources necessary to operate properly without depriving other functions of the same resources or compromising the efficiency of another application.
Another primary and important function a mobile operating system is responsible for is the carefully management of all hardware components and software resources of the cellular device. More defined, a mobile operating system allocates battery power and processing speeds to the phone’s hardware, such as the keypad or QWERTY keyboard, camera, and screen, as well as to the software, such as the dialing function, internet and network connections, contacts list, and the several applications each cell phone hosts. In doing so, the operating system ensures that each mobile phone application gets the resources necessary to operate properly without depriving other functions of the same resources or compromising the efficiency of another application.
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS
Although there are a multitude of operating systems (OS) available for mobile phone devices, concentration will be given to those dominating the market share and are more used in today’s marketplace. The following mobile operating systems that are predominant in the cell phone market are:
· Symbian OS
· Windows Mobile
· Garnet OS (formerly Palm Web OS)
· RIM Blackbery
· OS X iPhone (iPhone)
· Android OS
All operating systems have basic function commonalities. The basic functions that all of the above operating systems share are text messaging, phone calling/receiving, internet browsers, cameras with photo sharing capabilities, contact management, and personal assistant features, such as scheduling, notifications, appointments, etc. However, each operating system is distinct in some aspects. These distinct characteristics will be discussed below.
· Symbian OS
· Windows Mobile
· Garnet OS (formerly Palm Web OS)
· RIM Blackbery
· OS X iPhone (iPhone)
· Android OS
All operating systems have basic function commonalities. The basic functions that all of the above operating systems share are text messaging, phone calling/receiving, internet browsers, cameras with photo sharing capabilities, contact management, and personal assistant features, such as scheduling, notifications, appointments, etc. However, each operating system is distinct in some aspects. These distinct characteristics will be discussed below.
Symbian OS has numerous social networking capabilities, which include Skype, MSN messenger, Facebook, and Twitter. It also has music sharing options that allows users to send their mp3 files to others via e-mail like attachments. Symbian’s most distinct feature is its mobile banking feature. With Symbian mobile banking, there are biometric security enhancements available to ensure the privacy and safety of your transactions, such as facial and fingerprint recognition. Recently, Symbian has switched to an open-source operating system, which enables numerous applications to be written and used with Symbian OS enabled phones.
Windows Mobile OS is easily recognizable through the “start” menu signature and the fully operational Microsoft Office Works that Windows for PCs has. Though the aesthetics are similar, Windows Mobils OS differs from Windows for PCs in its features. One of its most distinguished features is its mobile-back up capability. Through this function, all important information can be synchronized (synced) with a desktop computer in case the phone is ever lost. Another aspect distinct to Windows Mobile OS devices is the “My Phone” feature, which allows users to access their cell phone via the internet from a desktop computer. Some fun aspects of Windows Mobile OS is that it is also an open-sourced OS, which allows different applications to be used from a variety of hosts, such as facebook, Netflix applications, and games.
Garnet OS (Palm OS) is known for its high screen resolution tolerance which allows applications to run smoothly and undistorted on different screen sizes with different resolutions. It also has Graffiti 2, a handwriting recognition software. HotSync is a feature Garnet OS has that allows the mobile device to be synced with desktop computer for remote access and storage back-up. Like Windows Mobile OS, Garnet OS also uses the “My Phone” function for remote access to cell phone files via an internet connected desktop computer.
RIM BLACKBERRY is also a leading competitor in mobile operating systems. Blackberry was created with the business professional in mind, which means it has extensive personal assistant options, fully equipped with calendars, appointment books, contacts list, and other scheduling applications. Blackberry’s most acclaimed feature is its e-mail function, which supports rich HTML formats in which images and objects can be viewed with ease. Blackberry also uses Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint applications which allow users to download and format existing documents. Blackberry has a simpler version of Microsoft’s Excel called “Sheet To Go” which allows formatting Microsoft Excel Files.
OS X iPhone is the operating system of Apple’s iPhone. Under this operating system, the iPhone has the most evolved direct manipulation user interface, in which the user uses their fingers and finger motions, such as sliding, pinching, and tapping, to control the screen. Also, iPhone has accelerometers, which changes the orientation of the screen from landscape to portrait as the screen is flipped at different angles. OS X iPhone also has a Safari web browser, iTunes functions for music, video, and pictures, GPS, and access to the “App Store”, which allows users to purchase and download different applications directly onto their phone. Another feature OS X iPhone has is what is called “tethering.” Under this feature, the iPhone can be used as an internet hotspot to connect to the internet from a laptop or desktop computer, using the internet from the iPhone.
Android OS is Google’s newly unveiled mobile operating system. Details over Android OS will be covered in greater detail under The Android Operating System webpage
Windows Mobile OS is easily recognizable through the “start” menu signature and the fully operational Microsoft Office Works that Windows for PCs has. Though the aesthetics are similar, Windows Mobils OS differs from Windows for PCs in its features. One of its most distinguished features is its mobile-back up capability. Through this function, all important information can be synchronized (synced) with a desktop computer in case the phone is ever lost. Another aspect distinct to Windows Mobile OS devices is the “My Phone” feature, which allows users to access their cell phone via the internet from a desktop computer. Some fun aspects of Windows Mobile OS is that it is also an open-sourced OS, which allows different applications to be used from a variety of hosts, such as facebook, Netflix applications, and games.
Garnet OS (Palm OS) is known for its high screen resolution tolerance which allows applications to run smoothly and undistorted on different screen sizes with different resolutions. It also has Graffiti 2, a handwriting recognition software. HotSync is a feature Garnet OS has that allows the mobile device to be synced with desktop computer for remote access and storage back-up. Like Windows Mobile OS, Garnet OS also uses the “My Phone” function for remote access to cell phone files via an internet connected desktop computer.
RIM BLACKBERRY is also a leading competitor in mobile operating systems. Blackberry was created with the business professional in mind, which means it has extensive personal assistant options, fully equipped with calendars, appointment books, contacts list, and other scheduling applications. Blackberry’s most acclaimed feature is its e-mail function, which supports rich HTML formats in which images and objects can be viewed with ease. Blackberry also uses Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint applications which allow users to download and format existing documents. Blackberry has a simpler version of Microsoft’s Excel called “Sheet To Go” which allows formatting Microsoft Excel Files.
OS X iPhone is the operating system of Apple’s iPhone. Under this operating system, the iPhone has the most evolved direct manipulation user interface, in which the user uses their fingers and finger motions, such as sliding, pinching, and tapping, to control the screen. Also, iPhone has accelerometers, which changes the orientation of the screen from landscape to portrait as the screen is flipped at different angles. OS X iPhone also has a Safari web browser, iTunes functions for music, video, and pictures, GPS, and access to the “App Store”, which allows users to purchase and download different applications directly onto their phone. Another feature OS X iPhone has is what is called “tethering.” Under this feature, the iPhone can be used as an internet hotspot to connect to the internet from a laptop or desktop computer, using the internet from the iPhone.
Android OS is Google’s newly unveiled mobile operating system. Details over Android OS will be covered in greater detail under The Android Operating System webpage
