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Mobile Operating System

Mobile Operating System

By Aditya Trivedi
6 mins read
Last updated: 12 Sep 2023
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What is a Mobile Operating System?

The software that allows mobile devices such as phones, tablets, and other smart devices such as wearable technologies to run applications and other programs is known as a mobile operating system (OS). When a mobile device is turned on, it typically displays a screen with icons or squares that display information and offer access to the application.

An Operating System is software that provides a link between the user and the system hardware. Furthermore, it manages all interactions between software and hardware. Let's look at some of the features of an operating system before learning about distinct mobile OS.Cellular and wireless network connectivity, as well as phone access, are all managed by mobile operating systems.

RIM's BlackBerry, Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, Android, iPhone OS are some of the operating systems present on smartphones. Android, WebOS, and Maemo are all Linux-based operating systems. The iPhone OS is based on BSD and NeXTSTEP, both of which are Unix-like operating systems.

Android and iOS are the most popular mobile operating systems in the world, in USA(United States Of America) android and iOS both have a combined market share of 98.7%. Android has a significantly larger user base, thanks to the fact that it is available on devices from a wide range of manufacturers, like One+, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, LG, and others. iOS, on the other hand, is solely available on Apple devices.

Types of Mobile Operating Systems

There are various mobile device operating systems available today, but the iPhone's OS, Apple iOS, and Google's open-source OS, Google Android, are two of the most frequently used. These two mobile operating systems respond differently to mobile computing. Some other Operating System(OS) are given below:

1. Android Operating System: The Android operating system is currently the most widely used. It's an open-source mobile operating system based on the Linux kernel. Google launched the Android operating system. In 2008, the first Android device was released.

2. iPhone OS / iOS: Apple created the iOS operating system for use on its devices. The iOS operating system is currently the most widely used. It's an extremely safe operating system. Other mobile devices do not support the iOS operating system.

3. Bada (Samsung Electronics): Samsung's Bada mobile operating system was released in 2010. The Samsung Wave was the first smartphone to run on the bada operating system. Many mobile features are available with the bada operating system, including  application installation, 3-D graphics, and multipoint-touch.

4. BlackBerry OS: BlackBerry mobile operating system was created by Research In Motion (RIM). This operating system was created with BlackBerry handheld devices in mind. When used with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, this operating system benefits corporate users by allowing synchronisation withNovell GroupWise email, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, and other business software.

5. Symbian OS: The Symbian operating system is a mobile operating system with a high level of network connectivity. The Java programming language powers the Symbian operating system. It integrates wireless communications middleware with personal information management (PIM) capabilities. Symbian Ltd created the Symbian operating system in 1998 for usage on mobile phones. At the time, Nokia was the first business to deliver Symbian OS on a mobile phone.

6. Windows Mobile OS: Microsoft created the Windows Mobile OS, which is a mobile operating system. It was created for smartphones and pocket PCs. Rather than normal icons, the Windows smartphone's screen is covered in various colorful squares. A lot of huge typography and a basic interface are also included in the design.

7. Palm OS: The Palm operating system was created by Palm Ltd for use on personal digital assistants (PADs). It first appeared in 1996. Garnet OS is another name for Palm OS. It was created to make using the touchscreen simpler. It is one of the most user-friendly mobile phone operating systems, however the platform's failure to multitask may force some users to reject it.

8. WebOS (Palm/HP): Palm created the WebOS operating system for mobile devices. It is built on top of the Linux kernel. This operating system is used by HP in its mobile phones and laptop touchpad. This is one of the multitasking-capable mobile phone operating systems. If you receive a message while playing a game, for example, you can open it without exiting the game.

9. Harmony OS: Huawei's harmony operating system is the company's most recent mobile operating system for usage on its smartphones. It is primarily intended for Internet Of Things(IoT) devices.

History of Mobile Operating System

From basic beginnings to touchscreen smartphones and app stores, mobile operating systems have come a long way.

  1. Early Beginnings: Mobile operating systems trace their roots back to the late 20th century when handheld devices started incorporating basic operating systems. These early systems were limited in functionality and mainly focused on providing essential features like making calls and managing contacts.

  2. Palm OS Era: In the mid-1990s, Palm OS emerged as one of the pioneering mobile operating systems. It was designed for personal digital assistants (PDAs) and was known for its user-friendly interface. Palm OS laid the groundwork for later mobile OS developments.

  3. Symbian's Dominance: Symbian OS gained prominence in the early 2000s, powering a wide range of mobile phones. It was recognized for its network connectivity and integration with personal information management (PIM) capabilities.

  4. iOS Revolution: Apple's iOS, introduced in 2007 with the first iPhone, revolutionized the mobile OS landscape. It popularized the concept of the touchscreen smartphone and introduced the App Store, leading to the rapid growth of mobile app development.

  5. Android's Ascent: Google's Android OS, launched in 2008, quickly gained traction due to its open-source nature and versatility. It became the most widely used mobile OS globally, powering a variety of devices from different manufacturers.

  6. BlackBerry OS: Research In Motion (RIM) developed BlackBerry OS, catering to business users with strong email and messaging capabilities. It enjoyed popularity among corporate users.

  7. Ongoing Innovation: Mobile OSs continue to evolve, focusing on AI integration, enhanced privacy features, and seamless connectivity with other smart devices, ensuring they remain at the forefront of technology.

Today, mobile operating systems play a pivotal role in shaping the way we interact with our smartphones and other smart devices, driving innovation and convenience in the digital age.

Features of Mobile Operating Systems

An operating system has many functions. Let us explore them. Some functions of the operating system OS is given below:

1. Device Management: The operations may require the use of gadgets. The operating system is in charge of this. The Operating System:

  • Maintain track of the gadgets.
  • Determines how long each process can use each device.
  • Devices are allocated and delegated to various operations.

2. Processor Management/Scheduling: When a system has multiple processes running, the operating system determines that when and how each process uses the CPU. As a result, CPU Scheduling is also the name. The Operating System:

  • Processes are allocated and delegated to the processor.
  • Keeps track of the CPU's state.

3. Memory Management: It is the administration of the major memory. Furthermore, any code that is completed must be present in the main memory. As a result, multiple programs might be active at the same time. As a result, memory management is essential. The Operating System:

  • It allocates and releases memory.
  • While multiprocessing, distributes memory.
  • Keeps track of who uses which area of primary memory and how much.

4. File Management: On a computer, files are organized into folders. The Operating System:

  • Maintains a log of file location and status.
  • It allocates and releases memory.

5. Security: Through authentication, the OS maintains the system and programs safe and secure. The user's legitimacy is determined by their user ID and password.

6. Other Functions: Other features of the operating system include:

  • Detection of errors.
  • Maintaining track of the system's performance
  • Interaction between various software applications.

Conclusion

  • Operating system coordinates with the entire applications and tasks so that they can perform well without any threat.
  • Extra functions are also provided by the OS to ensure that system functions are completed without error.
  • Operating system provides the interface or link between hardware and user of the device.

Additional Resources

  1. Mobile Application Testing Interview Questions
  2. iOS Developer Interview Questions