Mobile Operating Systems

      Like a computer operating system, a mobile operating system is the software platform on top of which other programs run.  Operating system is responsible for determining the functions and features available on a device such as thumbwheel, keyboard, WAP, synchronization with applications, e-mail, text messaging and more. The operating system will also define which third-party applications to be used on the device.  Some of the most common and well-known mobile operating systems include the following 

  Android 

      Android is a software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications and uses modified version of Linux Kernel. The Android SDK(Software Development Kit) provides the tools and APIs necessary to begin developing applications on the Android platform using the Java programming language. It was intially developed by Android Inc.  It allows developers to write managed code in the Java language, controlling the device via Google developed Java libraries. 

Features of android 

Application framework enabling reuse and replacement of components

Dalvik virtual machine optimized for mobile devices

Integrated browser based on the open source WebKit engine

Optimized graphics powered by a custom 2D graphics library; 3D graphics based on the OpenGL ES 1.0 specification (hardware acceleration optional)

SQLite for structured data storage

Media support for common audio, video, and still image formats (MPEG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, PNG, GIF)

GSM Telephony (hardware dependent)

Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G, and WiFi (hardware dependent)

Camera, GPS, compass, and accelerometer (hardware dependent)

Rich development environment including a device emulator, tools for debugging, memory and performance profiling, and a plugin for the Eclipse IDE

  Symbian OS 

      Symbian OS is developed by Symbian Ltd. Symbian OS has become a standard operating system for smartphones and is licensed by more than 85 percent of the world's handset manufacturers. The Symbian OS is designed for the specific requirements of 2.5G and 3G mobile phones.  

  Windows Mobile 

     The Windows Mobile platform is available on a variety of devices from a variety of wireless operators. Windows Mobile software is inculded with Dell, HP, Motorola, Palm and i-mate products. Windows Mobile powered devices are available on GSM or CDMA networks. 

  Palm OS 

      Since the introduction of the first Palm Pilot in 1996, the Palm OS platform has provided mobile devices with essential business tools, as well as capability to access the Internet or a central corporate database via a wireless connection