Introduction to Mobile OS | Android Development
A mobile operating system (or mobile OS) is a software platform specifically designed for mobile devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other handheld devices. It serves as the foundation on which other applications and programs can run. Similar to how the Linux or Windows operating system manages desktop or laptop computers, a mobile operating system is responsible for controlling the functionality and features of mobile devices, including touchscreen capabilities, cellular connectivity, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, camera functionalities, and more. The market offers a variety of mobile operating systems, some of which are open-source while others are proprietary-based. Currently, the dominant players in the market are Android, occupying 88% of the market share, and iOS, with 11.9% (source: statista.com as of the end of 2018). Although other operating systems such as Microsoft's Windows for phones and BlackBerry were once present, they have become nearly obsolete due to the fierce competition from Android and iOS, developed by Google and Apple, respectively.
Types of Mobile Operating Systems:
a. Android
Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of Linux. Originally developed by a startup called Android, Inc., it was acquired by Google in 2005 to enter the mobile space. With the intention of promoting openness and freedom, Google released much of the Android code under the open-source Apache License. Consequently, anyone can utilize Android by downloading the complete source code. Android has emerged as the leading mobile OS, capturing an 88% market share as of the end of 2018.
b. iOS
iOS, previously known as iPhone OS, is a mobile operating system exclusively developed by Apple Inc. for its hardware products. It powers a range of Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Initially introduced in 2007 for the iPhone, iOS has expanded its support to include other Apple devices such as the iPod Touch (September 2007) and the iPad (January 2010).
iOS employs the XNU kernel at its core, which stands for "X is Not Unix." Developed by NeXT (cofounded by Steve Jobs) in 1989 for the NeXTSTEP operating system, Apple acquired NeXT in 1996 and integrated the XNU kernel into its own software, including OS X. Apple licensed XNU under the Apple Public Source License v2.0 (APSL), making it open source. The kernel serves as the core component of an operating system, managing the hardware and enabling applications to interact with it. XNU, a combination of the v3 Mach kernel, FreeBSD kernel, and the C++ API called I/O Kit, is primarily monolithic in nature, with some influences from microkernel architecture. It is implemented using the C/C++ programming languages.
c. BlackBerry
BlackBerry OS is a proprietary mobile operating system developed by BlackBerry Ltd. for its line of smartphones and handheld devices. The operating system supports multitasking and incorporates specialized input devices, including track wheels, trackballs, trackpads, and touchscreens. BlackBerry OS gained recognition for its robust support for corporate email, allowing wireless activation and synchronization with Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, or Novell GroupWise email, calendar, tasks, notes, and contacts when used with BlackBerry Enterprise Server. It also offers WAP 1.2 support.
d. Symbian
Symbian is a closed-source mobile operating system and computing platform initially developed by Symbian Ltd. It enjoyed widespread adoption by major mobile phone brands, including Samsung, Motorola, Sony, and notably Nokia. Symbian OS, formerly the leading smartphone OS globally
Mobile OS Structure
The structure of a mobile operating system (OS) can be divided into several components, each serving a specific purpose. Let's explore these components:
Low-Level Hardware:
The low-level hardware of a mobile OS comprises the mobile processor and memory. Mobile processors commonly utilize Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture, such as ARM Processors and MIPS. ARM processors are 32-bit RISC architectures known for their low power consumption. A popular example of ARM processors is the Qualcomm Snapdragon. On the other hand, MIPS (Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages) is predominantly used in embedded systems like the Play station 1 and 2, routers, and gateways.
Kernel:
The kernel is a vital component responsible for various services, including security, memory management, and process management. It encompasses I/O components, file systems, and networking components.
Libraries:
Libraries play a crucial role in providing essential functionalities to mobile OS applications. They encompass various types of libraries such as media libraries, 3D libraries, audio libraries, and graphics libraries. These libraries are made available to developers through application frameworks.
Applications:
The applications component offers a diverse set of applications within the mobile operating system. Developers can access the libraries through application frameworks, enabling them to leverage the functionalities provided by the libraries in their applications.
By structuring a mobile OS in this manner, it ensures efficient management of low-level hardware, a robust kernel for system services, essential libraries for application development, and a wide range of applications for users.
©Deep99Notes
Tags:
Blog