Mobile Operating Systems
Mobile operating system is software that enables computerized control of devices such as Smart phones, tablets, PDA’s and other electronic devices. This operating system allows users to execute and install applications commonly known as Apps. The mobile phone industry has various mobile operating systems namely: Android OS, Apple’s operating system, Symbian, Microsoft Windows Phone and RIM’s Blackberry operating systems among others. These operating systems provide user interface platforms across devices from different suppliers. Today, the mobile devices provide its users with a variety of applications such as social media apps, productivity apps and digital maps among others. The paper will seek to discuss the history of Google’s Android and Apple’s operating systems.
Apple’s mobile operating system
Apple’s mobile operating system is an operating system that was developed in Apple Inc. Company exclusively for Apple hardware devices. The Smartphone operating system was first unveiled in March 2007 after the launch of the first software development kit known as beta. This mobile device came with features that the first Apple’s mobile devices did not have such as 3G support, email attachments and iTunes music store. In 2008, Apple’s mobile operating system 2 was developed and saw the unveiling of App store (Williams, 2014). This operating system enabled the Google Street View and the introduction of third party games. Google Street View had, driving, walking and public transport options. Later in 2009, Apple’s OS 3 was incarnated and came with push notifications used for the third party apps. It also added voice control and video recording features. Moreover, the 3.2 version enabled its users to buy TV shows, audio books and films through the iTunes. The new OS also saw the launch of iPad.
In 2010, Apple’s Operating system 4 enabled simultaneous multitasking and storage of multiple apps in a single mother folder. It also saw the development of Apple’s iBooks and improved versions of resolution for cameras. Apple’s mobile OS generation 4 was launched with Apple’s mobile operating system 5 in the next year. This year saw the introduction Apple’s virtual voice assistant which was able to communicate with other applications. In 2012 and 2013, Apple’s operating system 6 and 7 were launched respectively. Apple’s operating system 7 saw the introduction of single swipe feature that enabled users to access WiFi settings. This year, Apple’s operating system 8 was announced and is expected to integrate health and home kits (Williams, 2014). Android Operating System
Just like Apple’s OS, Android operating system has also gone various changes since it was developed in 2007 by Google (Amadeo, 2014). Based on the Linux kernel, Android evolved from previous version of G1 to the recently released Lollipop 5.0 version. In 2008, Android HTC-Mobile G1 was launched. This operating system provided various services such as Bluetooth and GPS integrated with Google Maps, Google calendar and Gmail services. This version also had multitasking features with no Microsoft Exchange Server. Later, Cupcake version 1.5 was released and had features like the universal search box, video recording and redesigned Android Market. It also had games and voice text options. In September 2009, Android 1.6 Donut was released with new features such as Android Search, virtual on screen keyboard and integrated gallery. It also had handwriting gestures and Home screen features.
Éclair 2.0/2.1 and Froyo 2.2 were then released respectively. With Froyo 2.2 being released in May 2010, it came with USB support, App Updates, Adobe Flash and FM radios among others. Gingerbread 2.3 was then launched in December 2010 with features like Near Field Communication and App manager. Honey Comb and Android 4.0 Ice Cream were launched and then followed by Jelly Bean and KitKat 4.4 that was released in September 2013 (Amadeo, 2014). In November 2014, the latest version Lollipop 5.0 was launched with Nexus 6 and 9 tablets
References
Amadeo, R. (2014 June 16). The history of Android. Retrieved from http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/06/building-android-a-40000-word-history-of-googles-mobile-os/
Williams, R. (2014 September 2). Apple iOS: a brief history. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/11068420/Apple-iOS-a-brief-history.html