Operating Systems

If you’ve been in the market for a smartphone recently, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a wide range of not just brand names, but also different smartphone operating systems to choose from. A phone’s operating system (sometimes called a platform, although those terms are not entirely synonymous) is, in laymen’s terms, the inner workings that control how the device processes information. Some smartphone functions will be essentially the same no matter your operating system, but some key differences make it worthwhile to research your OS options before you buy.

Android
Android is a Google-backed OS that has grown tremendously over the last few years since the T-Mobile G1 was released in late 2008.

Designed as a consumer and social network-centric platform, the Android OS is often compared to Apple’s OS. The primary difference between the two approaches is the openness (or lack thereof) of the platform. Unlike Apple, which controls both the hardware and software, Google has made Android available to any manufacturer, leading to a growing number of Android phones from the likes of Motorola, HTC, Samsung, LG and others. It’s also available on all four major mobile carriers.

This openness isn’t without some downside. You’ll see some manufacturer-specific interface customizations that may not be available on all phones, and the open development process means less quality control on Android apps.

One thing all of the different Android phones do have in common is access to Google Play (formerly known as Android Market), which has hundreds of thousands of free or paid apps for everything from productivity to entertainment. The app marketplace for Android is growing at an extremely fast rate, in part due to the fact that it does not have the governance that Apple imparts on developers. Android owners also have the option of downloading and installing third party apps from a number of different sources, allowing unprecedented customization and personalization.

For an owner looking for a rapidly growing platform, with an open and customizable OS, Android is a strong choice with some amazing hardware available from several different manufacturers.

BlackBerry/RIM
During most of its early growth, BlackBerry dominated the smartphone market in the workplace by concentrating on the two most common forms of communication at the time: email and text messaging.

The hardware built around the BlackBerry platform recognizes this focus, as evidenced by the fact that most BlackBerry phones are designed with small physical keyboards and trackballs that allow quick entry of emails and text messages with your thumbs.

In light of the growing consumer demand for smartphones designed around personal use, the BlackBerry has seen numerous multimedia improvements with devices such as the touchscreen-based BlackBerry Torch 9850, which has a larger screen ideal for video and web browsing. The most recent OS update, BlackBerry 7, represents another big leap forward for the company, offering improved messaging and web-browsing as well as the new, high-definition “Liquid Graphics” system for an enhanced viewing experience.

RIM (which stands for Research In Motion, the company behind BlackBerry) has also answered the exploding demand for smartphone apps on their platform with their BlackBerry App World. Although this app library isn’t as large as the Android or iPhone platforms, development continues with BlackBerry App World 2.0.

If your world revolves around email and texting, especially in a corporate environment, you’ll likely want to start your smartphone search by checking out the BlackBerry family.

Apple/iOS
Since Apple announced the first iPhone in 2007, the company has released four subsequent versions of the device, the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. For some, the iPhone has become synonymous with the idea of a personal smartphone.

Unlike many previous smartphones that were designed for a work environment, the iPhone’s development started with a more consumer-based interface. A large touchscreen, integrated iTunes app, Safari mobile web browser and a simplified user interface helped solidify the appeal of the iPhone as a portable media and internet device for the public.

Of course, Apple forever changed the world of mobile when they opened their App Store in 2008. It’s hard to talk about the iPhone without mentioning the hundreds of thousands of apps that are available at the App Store. Apple’s success here not only helped continued growth of the platform, but has also prompted similar offerings from all the other smartphone platforms.

Known as iOS, the iPhone OS runs on a number of Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. iOS 5, launched in October 2011, introduced the world to Siri, a sort of voice-controlled personal assistant that some say will change the face of mobile communications. Many apps purchased for any iOS device will run on the other hardware, though there are some iPad-specific apps designed to make use of the larger screen.

Unlike other smartphone platforms, Apple controls both the hardware and software, which means the company can more tightly integrate its different components and interfaces. The downside is the reduced flexibility this approach provides. For an owner looking for a device with a straightforward interface and a large library of apps and support, iOS would be a solid choice.

Windows Phone
Of the different smartphone platforms, the Windows line has undergone the most changes. In its earliest configuration as Pocket PC 2000, the OS was originally designed to work as a PDA platform. In 2003, Windows Mobile was released and quickly found a home as an enterprise smartphone platform due to its tight integration with other Microsoft systems. Although touchscreen-based versions of platforms have been around for some time, Windows Mobile was often hindered by its early stylus-based design.

Microsoft is looking to remedy all that with the latest incarnation, Windows Phone 7. Built from the ground up, Windows Phone is the only phone with Office, Xbox LIVE, and thousands of apps. Quickly customized and constantly updated, one glance of the Start screen tells you what’s going on, what’s happening next, and what you’ve missed. Depending on the app, animated Live Tiles can show pending messages and appointments, news and weather, or game and friend status. The People Hub unifies your Facebook and Windows Live feeds and photos, allowing you to call, text or post to your friends. Mobile versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint are built-in for easy review or editing on the go. With Xbox LIVE you can connect and play with friends, earn achievements, and take your avatar and gamer profile with you anywhere. The latest edition, known as Mango, was introduced in late 2011.

Windows Phone 7 is designed to bring together everything you need and want, easier and faster

Adapted from Best Buy ON.