The Mobile Operating Systems Showdown: Unveiling the Best in Class!

Introduction to Mobile Operating Systems

A mobile operating system, also referred to as a mobile OS, is specialized software created exclusively for mobile devices such as smartphones, mobile phones, tablet computers, PDAs, and other handheld devices. Unlike desktop or laptop computers, which are governed by operating systems like Linux or Windows, mobile devices rely on mobile operating systems as their software platform. These operating systems provide the foundation upon which various applications and programs can run. The primary responsibility of a mobile operating system is to govern the functions and features available on the device, encompassing touchscreen capabilities, cellular connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, camera functionalities, and much more.

The market offers a diverse array of mobile operating systems, each possessing distinct characteristics. Some are open source, granting developers access to the source code for modification and customization, while others are proprietary, meaning their source code is privately owned and restricted. Presently, a few dominant operating systems hold significant sway in the market. According to data from the end of 2018 (source: statista.com), Android, developed by Google, commands an overwhelming 88% market share, while Apple Inc.'s iOS trails behind with approximately 11.9%.

While other mobile operating systems, such as Microsoft's Windows for phones and BlackBerry, have existed, they have struggled to compete with the popularity and dominance of Android and iOS. These two operating systems have emerged as the top contenders, offering robust features, extensive app ecosystems, and seamless user experiences.

Mobile operating systems have transformed the way we interact with our devices, granting us access to a vast array of applications and services right at our fingertips. With technology continuously advancing, these operating systems play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mobile computing and enriching our everyday lives.

Mobile Operating Systems: A Brief Overview

Mobile operating systems play a crucial role in powering our smartphones and tablets, providing us with a user-friendly interface and access to various applications. Two major players in the mobile OS landscape are Android and iOS. Let's delve into each of them:

Android:

Android, developed by Google, is an open-source mobile operating system that is based on a modified version of Linux. It was created by a startup called Android, Inc., which was later acquired by Google in 2005. Google's vision for Android was to build an open and free platform, and to achieve this, most of the Android code was released under the open-source Apache License.

Due to its open nature, Android has gained significant popularity and market dominance. As of the end of 2018, it occupied a whopping 88% share of the mobile OS market. This widespread adoption can be attributed to the accessibility of the Android source code, allowing developers and manufacturers to customize and tailor it to their specific needs.

iOS:

iOS, formerly known as iPhone OS, is a proprietary mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for their hardware devices. It powers iconic devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. The iOS operating system was first introduced in 2007 with the launch of the original iPhone and has since evolved to support various Apple products.

At the core of iOS lies the XNU kernel, which was created by NeXT, a company co-founded by Steve Jobs. When Apple acquired NeXT and its software in 1996, they integrated the XNU kernel into their operating systems, including iOS. XNU is a hybrid kernel, incorporating concepts from both microkernel and monolithic kernel architectures. It combines elements from the v3 Mach kernel, and the FreeBSD kernel, and utilizes the C++ API called I/O Kit.

While Android is open source, iOS is a closed ecosystem tightly integrated with Apple's hardware. This integration allows Apple to provide a seamless user experience across their devices, ensuring optimized performance and security.

In conclusion, Android and iOS are the two dominant mobile operating systems in today's market. Android's open-source nature has fostered widespread adoption and customization, while iOS's proprietary design offers a seamless and tightly integrated user experience. Both operating systems, with their unique features and strengths, continue to shape the mobile landscape and cater to the diverse needs of users worldwide.

BlackBerry OS is a proprietary mobile operating system developed by BlackBerry Ltd for its line of smartphones. It supported multitasking and specialized input devices like the track wheel, trackball, trackpad, and touchscreen. The platform is known for its native support for corporate email, allowing wireless activation and synchronization with email systems like Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, and Novell GroupWise through BlackBerry Enterprise Server. The operating system also supports WAP 1.2.

Symbian is a closed-source mobile operating system initially developed by Symbian Ltd. It later became an open-source platform under the Symbian Foundation in 2009. Symbian was widely used by major mobile phone brands, including Samsung, Motorola, Sony, and Nokia. It was the most popular smartphone OS worldwide until the end of 2019 when it was surpassed by Android. Symbian OS was designed with principles such as data integrity and security, efficient use of user time, and optimal resource utilization.

Ubuntu Touch, also known as Ubuntu Phone, is a mobile version of the Ubuntu operating system developed by Canonical UK Ltd and the Ubuntu community. It is primarily designed for touch screen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The Ubuntu Touch project started in 2011 and was released to manufacturers on September 16, 2014.

Firefox OS, also known as Boot to Gecko (B2G), was an open-source operating system developed by Mozilla and external contributors. It was designed for smartphones, tablet computers, and smart TVs. Based on the Gecko rendering engine used in the Firefox web browser and the Linux kernel, Firefox OS was commercially released in 2013 but was discontinued in January 2017. Apps on Firefox OS were essentially web apps written using HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, with the OS acting as a web browser that could store content offline.

Tizen OS is a Linux-based mobile operating system primarily used by Samsung Electronics. It was initially conceived as an HTML5-based platform to succeed MeeGo and later merged with Samsung's Bada OS. Tizen is open source, but the software development kit contains proprietary components owned by Samsung. It is predominantly used on wearable devices and smart TVs. The Tizen OS is licensed under the Flora License, which is derived from the Apache License and grants a patent license to "Tizen certified platforms."

Mobile OS Structure:

A mobile operating system (OS) is comprised of various components that work together to deliver the required functionality and user experience on mobile devices. The structure of a mobile OS can be outlined as follows:

Low-Level Hardware:

The foundation of a mobile OS is low-level hardware, which includes the mobile processor and memory. Mobile processors commonly employed in mobile devices are based on RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architectures like ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) and MIPS (Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages). ARM processors, such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon, are renowned for their energy efficiency and extensive usage in mobile devices. Meanwhile, MIPS processors find applications in embedded systems like gaming consoles, routers, and gateways.

Kernel:

The kernel lies at the core of the mobile OS and provides crucial services while managing system resources. It is responsible for vital functionalities such as security, memory management, and process management. The kernel ensures the enforcement of security mechanisms, efficient memory allocation, and process scheduling, and facilitates input/output operations. Moreover, it incorporates components related to file systems and networking to ensure seamless data storage and communication.

Libraries:

Mobile operating systems offer libraries that developers can utilize for application development. These libraries consist of pre-built code and functionalities, streamlining the development process by providing ready-to-use components. Examples include media libraries for multimedia content handling, 3D libraries for graphics rendering, audio libraries for sound-related functionalities, and graphics libraries for optimized visual processing.

Application Frameworks:

Mobile OS provides application frameworks that serve as development platforms for creating applications. These frameworks furnish developers with tools, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), and pre-defined components to expedite the application development process. By utilizing application frameworks, developers can effectively leverage the underlying OS services and libraries, thereby ensuring compatibility with the targeted mobile OS and accelerating development efforts.

Applications:

A mobile OS comes pre-installed with a set of applications, such as a phone dialer, messaging app, contacts, calendar, and browser. These applications utilize the services offered by the underlying OS, libraries, and frameworks to deliver specific functionalities to users. Furthermore, users have the flexibility to install third-party applications from app stores, thereby expanding the capabilities and customization options of their mobile devices.

The Mobile Operating Systems Showdown: Unveiling the Best in Class!