A mobile operating system is an operating system that allows users to interact with the hardware of mobile devices, wearables, or any other handheld devices. Moreover, mobile operating systems enable users to run other application software on handheld devices.
They are a mixture of a computer OS, primarily developed on Linux, Java, and C++, and designed to be lightweight and simple in nature. This type of OS is a program that acts as an interface between the system hardware and the user.
Some of them are even designed to handle specific tasks. For example, WebOS is a multitasking OS designed specifically for smart TVs to enhance the user’s media consumption experience, and an optical image stabilizer is a specialized OS used in still or video cameras.
This article will discuss different OSs used specifically in smartphones.
Functions of OS
An OS performs numerous tasks without our knowledge, almost every second. Some of the common functions across multiple OSs areā¦
- Memory Management: Effectively assigns and frees up memory for active processes.
- Processor Management: Organizes and oversees CPU usage to ensure peak performance.
- Device Management: Manages and synchronizes the operation of hardware devices.
- File Management: Arranges, saves, and accesses files within the system.
- Security: Implements authentication measures and safeguards the system against unauthorized access.
Other Functions: Manages errors, tracks performance, and supports communication among software components.
Popular Mobile Operating System
Android OS
Named after its founder, who was known for his love of Android robots, Android is an open-source operating system available for free. As of early 2024, Android is the most popular mobile operating system worldwide, with a current market share of 70.69%, which is lower than its peak market share of 88% in 2021.
This OS is based on Linux, and almost every version of Android is named after a dessert, such as Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Oreo, and KitKat.
Google is currently developing the Android operating system. Initially, it was developed by Android Inc. and was later sold to Google for $50 million in 2005.
To date, approximately 4.2 billion smart devices use Android as their OS. Despite being inferior to iOS in many respects, such as security, ecosystem, and so on, Android offers numerous features that make it a popular choice for consumers, Such as :
- Since Android is an open-source platform, it offers more customization options than any other OS.
- Android allows users to delve deeper into the operating system compared to iOS. While Apple might argue that this makes Android less secure.
- I personally believe that Android is more intuitive to use than iOS. This includes features like the universal back gesture and the way notifications are handled.
- Google’s apps are available on a wider range of devices than Apple’s apps. This means you can more easily access your data and files if you switch between Android and other devices.
iOS
iOS is a proprietary OS, meaning it is only available for Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads, and controls how the device functions.
Currently, iOS is the second most popular smartphone operating system with approximately 29.3% of the market. This means there are roughly 1.7 billion iOS devices worldwide. However, iOS is more popular in developed nations such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan. In the US, the iPhone has a 58.81% market share.
iOS was first introduced in 2007 as iPhone OS and was renamed iOS after the iPad’s release. iOS is the foundation for other OSs, including audioOS and tvOS, and shares some of its code with macOS.
iOS is superior to Android in terms of security, reliability, and ecosystem. This makes it a preferred choice among politicians, entrepreneurs, and celebrities. Some of its notable features include:
- FaceTime: Apple’s video calling service that offers a consistent experience across Apple devices.
- AirPlay 2: Allows sharing music wirelessly to other devices like TVs, even without an internet connection.
- Consistent OS updates: iPhones receive software updates regularly, ensuring users have the latest features and functionalities.
- Tighter Security: Apple offers better security features like Face ID, Touch ID, and hardware-based encryption.
- Seamless device switching: Apple ecosystem allows effortless switching between iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. Features like Handoff, AirDrop, and Universal Clipboard facilitate this.
- Siri Shortcuts: Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, allows creating custom voice commands to automate tasks and launch apps.
- Private email with iCloud+: iCloud+ offers a way to create private email addresses to safeguard your primary email from threats.
Windows Mobile Operating System
Developed by Microsoft Inc., Windows Mobile was designed for handheld PCs and smartphones. It incorporated features from Windows-based computer OSs and added functionalities specifically for mobile devices.
Initially introduced in April 2000 for the Pocket PC series, many early Windows Mobile devices used a stylus for entering commands by tapping on the screen.
In 2011, Microsoft and Nokia partnered to produce the iconic Lumia series phones, which were among the first popular devices to run Windows Mobile OS.
The initial version of Windows Mobile was based on the Windows NT kernel, the same kernel used by Windows 8. This OS was available in three variants: Standard, Professional, and Classic. Windows 10, the last and most recent version of this operating system, was discontinued on January 14, 2020.
Some of the feature of Windows OS are :
- File system: Windows Mobile has a file system similar to Windows 9x and Windows NT, and supports many of the same file types.
- Default applications: Windows Mobile comes with a set of default applications, including Internet Explorer Mobile, Windows Media Player, and the mobile version of Microsoft Office.
- Internet connection sharing: Some devices support sharing an internet connection with computers via USB and Bluetooth.
- Virtual private networking: Windows Mobile supports virtual private networking over PPTP protocol.
- Ease of Access Center: Includes features like zooming, text size, high contrast, and screen magnifier.
- Live tiles: These tiles display information directly on the screen and can be customized in size.
- Hub-based system: This system allows users to easily bundle different types of media.
- Windows Phone Store: This store allows users to download third-party applications
While Android and iOS are the most famous and competitive operating systems in 2024 and hold almost 99% of the market share, there are also other OS that are relatively well-known among their users and communities for their reliability and usability.
Other Operating System
Harmony OS
Developed by Huawei, HarmonyOS is a relatively new mobile operating system that aims to provide a unified experience across various devices. It’s gaining popularity in regions where Google services are restricted.
China is currently the only country with a significant share of HarmonyOS users. While various documents on Huawei’s customer support website describe its features and technology, there is limited information available about the operating system’s reliability and core advantages.
Tizen OS
Tizen operating system is developed by Samsung. Tizen is a lightweight, open-source operating system designed for smart TVs, wearables, and IoT devices. It offers a customizable interface, robust security, and seamless connectivity.
Tizen was originally developed for Samsung’s smartwatches and TVs. While wearable devices and televisions are the primary users of this OS, Tizen was also used in Samsung’s Z series 4 smartphones. The Samsung Z4 was the last smartphone in this series.
According to NewsByte Samsung has revealed plans to discontinue the Tizen operating system by the end of 2025, marking a complete halt in support for the smartwatch OS. The company ceased using Tizen OS with its Galaxy Watch4 release, favoring a hybrid OS developed with Google.
Web OS
WebOS is a web-centric operating system that was initially created by Palm, Inc. and later taken over by HP. It aims to deliver a smooth user experience across a range of devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and televisions.
WebOS is a smart TV platform known for its intuitive interface, multitasking capabilities, and app ecosystem, offering a seamless user experience for streaming, gaming, and home automation.
While WebOS was once a popular choice for smartphones and tablets, its focus has shifted towards smart TVs, where it continues to be a leading platform.
Kai OS
In the era of touchscreen devices, there are still many people who prefer feature phones with physical keypads for various reasons. Feature phones are often more reliable, have better battery life, are less distracting, and are more durable than modern smartphones.
However, these devices lack modern features and connectivity options. KaiOS is an operating system specifically designed for feature phones, making them more modern and providing better connectivity to the world while maintaining their ease of use and simple functionality.
KaiOS is a lightweight operating system designed for low-end devices, offering basic functionalities like calling, texting, and modern app support, including Wi-Fi, 4G, GPS, WhatsApp, Facebook, and popular Google apps.
In conclusion, the mobile OS market is dominated by Android and iOS. However, there are several other operating systems currently being developed and tested by various organizations. In the coming years, we may witness the emergence of a new AI-based operating system for smartphones.
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