So, we've all heard the Samsung-Apple conflict between the smartphones, where one of them copies off the other, and one of them (usually Apple) ends up suing the other, and so on and so on. Well, instead of looking at the Smartphone Patent Wars, which is, in-fact, a thing, I've decided to go through a quick run-through of the major mobile operating systems. Also, I do apologize to those of you looking for some of the smaller ones, since even though they are important, there's just so many of them to look at in this article.
Google Android and the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) are the most popular mobile and regular operating systems, to-date. So, the reason I have 2 operating systems up here is because the Android we know, as well as true Android, are 2 separate things. So, the one we all know and love is Google Android. This is built off of the open-source project, with Google's specialized closed-sourced apps weaved into the operating system's core. The Play Store is the heart of Google's Android, where you can download your content to your devices. Unlike many other operating systems, there is a free and open-source version, which anyone is free to use. The theme of this operating system is customization. Since it is open-source, it is very easy for a user to customize the device the way they want it, also, it is pretty easy for carriers and manufacturers to add their own touches to Google's operating system. Although Google is the organizer, the Open Handset Alliance is the one responsible for bringing us this wonderful operating system. Also, the physical devices used to run Android are manufactured by any company which chooses to, however, in order for them to get help from the OHA, it must be running Google's Android.
The second most popular mobile operating system is, of-course, Apple iOS. Originally launched as iPhone OS, it is run by a majority of the United States' population. They were one of the first developed mobile operating systems which supported touch-screen. The hardware components for these devices are found from various companies, the biggest being Samsung. Although Apple is a hardware company themselves, they contract the manufacturing to the Taiwanese company of Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.). The iOS products are, in-fact, designed in-house at Apple, and Apple is the one and only manufacturer, so there are not many choices when it comes to iOS-capable devices. The key feature of this mobile operating system is to be very simplistic. Although, the hardware designs are usually up to standards, they often keep the previous design, only altering a few minor features, keeping the design of both software and hardware similar to the previous.
Although formally Windows Phone OS, Windows 10 Mobile is a very nice and well thought-out operating system. Unlike Windows Phone, Windows 10 Mobile is just the mobile version of Windows 10, with the focus being productivity. While gaming apps may be limited, there are tons of Microsoft-made productivity apps, as well as ones made by other developers. Software is no issue for this operating system. Continuum is a feature in Windows 10 Mobile where, for compatible phones, you can hook up your phone to an external monitor, which makes your phone turn into a PC-like experience. Windows Phone had many manufacturers to develop for it, including Nokia, Samsung, LG, HTC, and Huawei. Although, the Windows Phone's biggest manufacturer, Nokia, no longer has their mobile division, now belonging to Microsoft, under Microsoft Mobile. Microsoft Mobile is the main manufacturer of Windows 10 Mobile, although some other brands are starting to make phones now, including HP.
Originally made by Research In Motion Limited, BlackBerry 10 (BB10) is the proprietary operating system of BlackBerry devices. RIM, now known as BlackBerry Limited, has always manufactured their devices, although recently they got rid of their manufacturing brand. Although they haven't been making phones running BB10 recently, it is still an active operating system, putting security first, always. BlackBerry is always big on security. Usually, classic BlackBerry devices have always had just a few buttons, without a touch-screen display, however, they made a slow transition to touch-screen devices just a few or so ago. The operating system itself is QNX-based, however, uses the Amazon Appstore, which provides Android-compatible apps. Since BB10 isn't Android-compatible, it uses a built-in converter to install Android apps onto the operating system.
Tizen is the one of the newest mobile operating systems, made by Samsung and Intel's previous attempts at making their own operating systems. Their operating system is based on connectivity, since both make for Android, however, they believe that Google has lost control of Android, and they feel that Tizen could accomplish Google's original goal for Android. The Linux Foundation helps provide Linux coding for Tizen. Like how the OHA is for Android, the Tizen Association helps Tizen. The Tizen Association is the former Linux Mobile Foundation (LiMo Foundation).
There are many, many more mobile operating systems, but these are just the major 5 mobile operating systems, each of which has its own goal. So, based on what you would want in an operating system, which one would you take?
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