Mobile Operating System (OS)A mobile operating system is a software program that is designed to manage both the mobile device hardware as well as the software applications running on it. It’s also referred as Mobile OS or mobile platform. It powers mobile devices like mobile phones, smartphones, PDAs, and Tablet PCs.
Why a Mobile Operating System? Any piece of hardware without an operating system is nothing more than an electronic junk. It’s the operating system that fuels life into it. All the features and functionalities of the mobile device are controlled and managed by its operating system. Therefore, it’s the combination of the hardware and the operating system that determine what capabilities a mobile device can or cannot support. For example, if a smartphone is to allow multiple applications to run simultaneously, it has to have an operating system that facilitates the sharing of processing and memory resources among multiple applications. Additionally, the OS must allow users to switch between the active applications. A mobile operating system controls everything from handling the input (from touch screen, keyboard, or some external device) to controlling the memory and the overall functioning of the device. It also manages the communication and the interplay between the mobile device and other compatible hardware like computers, televisions, or printers. The Mobile OS also controls whether or not other thirdparty applications can run on the device – and if they can it dictates the interface, the contract, that they must follow.
What are Popular Mobile Operating Systems? Today, there are many mobile operating systems and the number is growing. Below are some of the popular mobile operating systems.
For more details, see world's Best Mobile Platforms article.
Can I Choose My Mobile OS? All mobile devices like PDA’s, smartphones, and Tablet PC’s come preloaded with their respective mobile operating systems. The mobile operating systems are designed with a specific mobile hardware in mind. They will not work on every single type of mobile hardware and therefore it’s not always possible to override the default Mobile OS with your favorite one. You can easily do this in most computers (laptops, desktops, and servers) as the computer hardware is standardized. Sometime in future, mobile devices may let you choose your operating system but at the moment you are better off sticking to what they come with.
When Does a Mobile OS Take Control of the Device? Well, the moment you turn it on. The mobile operating system is preinstalled in your mobile device. As soon as you turn it on, it detects various hardware components and starts acting as an interface between you and your device resources – as it’s programmed to.
What if Mobile OS gets Corrupted? Too bad! Shouldn’t happen very often however the mobile operating system is a piece of software and can get corrupted and lead to malfunctioning of some or all features of your mobile device. The extent of device failure will depend upon what exactly goes bad with the operating system. When you see some problem, you should contact your service provider or the mobile manufacturer for help.
The mobile operating system plays a key role in deciding the success or failure of a mobile device. Unlike the PC market where there are not too many OS flavors, mobile market seems already flooded. But don't be surprised if you see some brand new names emerge as the war for mobile space continues.
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