The most commonly used operating system for smartphones. Alternative mobile OCs. iOS – an exclusive and expensive choice

When choosing a gadget, you should pay attention to various parameters, but the most important thing is the operating system. Do buyers have a choice in 2019?

As of 2019, there are two current operating systems that divide the mobile device market. In addition, there are several stable and operating OSes, the potential of which is quite difficult to discuss. The reason for their “unpopularity” lies not in the absence of any functions, but in high competition - market monopolists Google with its Android OS will not simply give up their position.

You can count the number of mobile device manufacturers who did not use the Android OS in their devices on the fingers of one hand. Android's share of the OS market exceeds 80% (!). Such statistics allow us to judge that Android is the most popular operating system for mobile devices. Californian company Android Inc. was founded in 2008 and was later acquired by the search giant Google.

On September 3, 2019, a new version of Android 10 was released. Starting with it, only numbers will be used in the name. Its release will bring a number of new functions and further improvements to stability, security, and optimization to smartphones. Despite this, there are rumors that Google experts consider Android an obsolete system, so they are preparing a full-fledged replacement for it. Can become a successor.

The first mentions of it appeared back in 2016, but there were no comments from Google, which gave rise to a number of speculations. The most interesting version says that the existing OS will be completely replaced by 2023, and from 2021 Fuchsia OS will begin to be installed on smart home devices. This information was denied by the head of Chrome OS and Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, at the Google I/O 2019 conference. According to him, the development of a new OS is indeed underway. The system can work with any device from laptops to smart home equipment, but the developer has no specific plans for it. This is an experimental OS that is being tested for various purposes, but its fate has not yet been determined.

Advantages of Android include:

• Open source - any qualified programmer can write an application and upload it to the official Android Play Market. In addition, smartphone manufacturers have their own stores.
• Convenience of data transfer - if the user wants to load a favorite song or video into the smartphone’s memory, he just needs to connect the gadget to the computer via a USB cable and transfer the file from one folder to another. There is no need to “fight” with additional software.
• Price - you can find an Android smartphone for only 2 thousand rubles. It is the fact that Androids are available to both pensioners and students that is the reason for the company’s total dominance in the OS market.
• Customization - there are a huge number of opportunities to “tailor” the Android interface to suit yourself. Some options change the appearance of the OS so much that it is quite difficult to recognize the original source.

The disadvantages include rapid battery drain due to constant Internet use and vulnerability to attacks - you should take care of installing a high-quality antivirus immediately after purchase.

iOS

iOS is developed by Apple and is installed only on iPad. As of 2019, it ranks second in terms of market presence. The current version is iOS 12, but installation of iOS 13 will begin on September 19, 2019. Among the most anticipated innovations are the “dark” mode and the QuickPath function (by sliding your finger across the keyboard you can type a word).

iOS features are:

• Security - the system functions in such a way that a virus attack is completely excluded.
• Rich store. There are just over 1 million applications in the AppStore - iOS is quantitatively inferior to Android in this regard, but you need to remember that the OS is closed source, therefore, all applications are written only by professional programmers and are of high quality.
• A virtual assistant for the iPhone owner, capable of executing commands and even conducting a dialogue with a person.
• It is believed that the iOS interface is more user-friendly and requires minimal time to master.

iOS is also not without its shortcomings. For example, the user will have to download a song to the device’s memory through a special iTunes program. Difficulties in data transfer are a kind of payment for increased security. There is only one application store - and most of the software offered is distributed on a paid basis.

Windows 10 MOBILE

The few owners of Windows 10 Mobile phones are in for bad news - the latest system updates will be released on December 10, 2019, after which its support will be completely discontinued. recommends that all users switch to gadgets with Android and iOS and, if possible, do not delay it, as services will be gradually switched off. 12 months after the end of support, that is, in December 2020, Windows 10 Mobile will cease to exist, and all devices with it will become useless.

KaiOS

Operating system for push-button devices, developed on the basis of Linux. For a modern person, today's mobile phones are, in most cases, devices for calls and SMS. is designed to change the perception of users and make such gadgets more functional.

Among the features:

• Supports GPS, LTE, Wi-Fi.
• Support for applications written in HTML
• Energy efficient - the system will not drain the battery.
• Supports devices with RAM from 256 MB.
• Own application store.

Even though KaiOS only came out in 2017, it has already attracted a lot of attention and significant investment. In 2018, Google invested $22 million in it. In addition, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook are pre-installed on devices with this system. This suggests that it has a bright future and we can expect it to become widespread in the coming years.

It is important to understand that KaiOS is not a competitor to iOS or Android. She has a different reference point - weak phones with push-button keyboards. At this stage of development, the current version is 2.6.0, released in May 2019.

Harmony OS

- this is the brainchild of the company, which has not yet been published, but according to company representatives it is a fully functional product, ready for release at any time. Development of the system began back in 2012, but after Huawei’s conflict with the US authorities in the spring of 2019, the company had to speed up work on it. By August 2019, it was announced that the OS was completely ready.

Initially, Harmony OS was created for wearable electronics, but due to the peculiarities of its structure, it can be installed on any device - from a car radio to a laptop. At the moment, the system has not been presented in any device, and the next release will take place at the end of 2019 on Huawei Smart TV. There is no exact information about when Harmony OS will be installed in smartphones, but according to some rumors, upcoming Huawei devices in the Chinese market may come out with their own OS. In addition, in the event of new sanctions from the United States, Huawei will be able to transfer all its smartphones to Harmony OS in 2 days.

Key Features:

• High level of security.
• Fast response on any device.
• Virtualization – easy transfer of applications from any operating system.

Conclusion

The OSes listed above are not the only ones. However, those options that also exist and work are not widely represented on the market and have a narrow focus. An example is the operating system from Amazon. Several devices were released with it, which did not reach the masses. In 2019, it is presented only in the company’s set-top boxes, although it can be used in smartphones. Another example is Lineage OS based on Android. The system supports about 185 devices (including Pixel 3), and is installed on top of the existing Android. The stable version supports Pie, and in December 2019 the developers promise to release a working build on Android 10.

It is unlikely that anyone will dispute that the most expensive smartphone on the market is the iPhone. The cost of the 5s model starts from $650, the expected new 6 Series is even higher.

Up until Windows mobile version 6.5, a fairly wide range of phones worked on this OS. Now, after only Nokia produced G8 phones, devices from LG, Samsung, Lenovo, ZTE, Huawei, etc. will work on this platform.

However, Android is far superior to its competitors in terms of scale and customization options. Most manufacturers of mobile gadgets release their Android gadgets in all price categories. In addition, PlayMarket offers a huge number of free applications, which adds to the popularity of the “green robot”.

Winner: Android

Prevalence

The undisputed leader among operating systems for phones is Android. This most common mobile OS from Google has captured 75% of the global gadget software market, while Windows Phone occupies only 12% in this segment.

Different versions of Android OS are installed on most smartphones, both simple and expensive models. On the other hand, Windows is more common among premium gadgets. The main company producing Windows Phone devices is Microsoft-owned Nokia. Other manufacturers use this OS very limitedly, choosing the “green robot” as the main platform.

User-friendly interface

All three operating systems are created with a fashionable flat design, their interface has slightly differences. However, on Android, third-party widgets significantly change the appearance of the system.

The emerging Android L follows the idea of ​​“material design” and it is not known exactly how the general animation of third-party and system applications will be combined.

iOS 7 is modern and looks quite stylish. The animation is beautiful and clear, but somewhat tedious. An undoubted advantage was the ability to disable unnecessary visual effects.

The basis of Windows Phone is tiles, which, like in the PC version, are easily customizable to the user. The OS looks better than its competitors, but it is somewhat slow.

Result: Draw

It is difficult to single out a leader in terms of ease of use of the OS. Without going into too much detail, they all work great right out of the box.

Result: Draw

Mobile Windows looks very simple on the phone screen; it has a tiled interface. Each tile is an application shortcut. It takes very little time to figure out how it works and get used to it.

If we talk about the Android mobile OS, it has a light and flexible interface that looks like a regular desktop with application icons.

However, it is difficult to say which operating system is better for a smartphone. Both platforms are easy to learn and can be easily customized for the user individually.

Variety of applications

When comparing which is better, Windows Phone or Android, you should pay attention to one more significant difference. It lies in the number of existing applications. The Android platform has about 700,000 programs in the Google Play store, while the Windows Store for the Russian market offers only about 105,000 applications.

5. Alternative stores

It is difficult to single out any of the stores in terms of ease of use. To select the desired application, you need to go through quite a few steps. But the AppleStore is much easier to navigate based on recommendations. Windows Store performs worse in this regard.

Winner: iOS

Microsoft and Apple development companies categorically do not accept the use of third-party stores. Google is more loyal in this regard: the program can be downloaded from PlayMarket, installed from a large computer, or found on any of the third-party stores.

Winner: Android

6. Battery

One of the main problems of modern smartphones is their short battery life. It is difficult to give an objective assessment of which of the three systems has the best energy savings - you cannot use the same comparison methods. It is traditionally believed that iOS is less energy-intensive, but Android and Windows smartphones are equipped with powerful batteries.

Windows Phone also allows you to save energy, but iOS seriously lacks energy-saving options. This is especially true for the latest, 7th version of the OS.

Winner: Android

Stability

The Android OS was created with open source code. It is more flexible for individual customization, that is, it can be modified, changed, changed firmware and patches. Unlike Android, the Windows Phone platform is closed source, so it cannot be customized in this way.

Android supports system multitasking. However, many open applications quickly drain the battery. Therefore, applications must be closed independently. In addition, the RAM quickly fills up and the device begins to freeze.

The advantage of Windows Phone OS is that it is more stable and also works faster than Android with similar parameters. The system itself closes open applications if they have not been used for some time.

Android has Flash support, but Windows Phone does not have this feature.

Safety

Due to its popularity and prevalence, the Android system is more vulnerable to viruses. There are a large number of virus programs written for it. Therefore, it is advisable to install antivirus software.

Thanks to the closed source code of the Windows platform, there are no viruses for this system. Those who need stability and security should give preference to Windows Phone.

So, when deciding what is better to choose for your phone: Android or Windows, decide what range of tasks your gadget will perform. For those who value simplicity, and whose main actions will be making calls and surfing the Internet, Windows Phone is suitable. For active users who want to install many programs, it is better to opt for Android.

More information

Here, each mobile OS is good in its own way:

• Android. You can personalize the system in different ways: change the launcher, reflash it, set a lock screen, mix widgets. Additionally, you can install various keyboards from third-party developers.
• Windows. Customization is quite scarce: the color scheme and tile sizes change.
• iOS. There seem to be enough widgets, but they are tied to the notification center.

Winner: Android

In addition to the division into 32 and 64-bit versions, operating systems starting with Windows 7 differ in configuration:

1. Starting.
2. Home basic.
3. Home extended.
4. Professional.
5. Corporate.
6. Maximum.

For personal use, home versions may be quite suitable. A standalone computer does not require additional services, such as networking. If the PC is installed in a domain, the assembly of the operating system must be at least professional, and the compliance of the workstation operating systems with the server systems should be taken into account.

Of course, different generations of OS can be combined into a network, but maximum compliance is preferable.

When planning your Windows installation, keep your PC secure. Protection consists of several components, the main ones being: the frequency of system updates, the presence of a firewall, and anti-virus protection. Technical support for XP ended on April 8, 2014 and is therefore considered the least secure. In versions of Windows starting from 7, it is possible to use the built-in antivirus and advanced firewall functions.

Hacking

A rather complex rooting function allows you to gain access to all the phone's capabilities. With its help, you can set any settings and update your gadget regardless of the release of an update by the manufacturer.

This idea does not find support from Apple and Microsoft. For iOS smartphones there is a special jailbreak utility, after which you can install any software from third-party stores.

08/19/2019, Mon, 15:21, Moscow time , Text: Dmitry Stepanov

Android killer based on Android

The American company Cloudmosa is working on creating a cloud operating system, Puffin OS, designed for low-cost mobile devices in the price segment up to $100.

The developers are positioning their future product as a high-performance alternative to the Android OS, which is being developed by Google. According to Cloudmosa representatives, their brainchild will become an intermediate link between KaiOS, aimed at modern push-button phones with smartphone functions, and Android One/Go for budget gadgets.

It is worth noting that Puffin OS, which is going to compete with Google's brainchild, is itself based on the open source Android (Android Open Source Project).

The company collects funds for the development of Puffin OS through crowdfunding. At the time of publication of this material, the project managed to raise almost $38 thousand on Kickstarter, thereby exceeding the initial goal of $31 thousand.

To date, Puffin OS has been ported to Nokia 1 and Redmi Go smartphones. In addition, it was tested on several models produced by order of one of the company’s ODM partners.

Avatar technology

In the new OS, the user will not need to install applications in the conventional sense. All Puffin OS programs are web applications based on HTML5, CSS3 and Javascript that run in the cloud, thereby removing the bulk of the computing burden from the smartphone. Cloudmosa calls this approach Avatar technology.

Thanks to Avatar technology, programs in this OS on similar hardware run almost ten times faster than in Android. Consequently, Puffin OS can easily achieve user-friendly application speed on budget devices with a “weak” processor and a small amount of RAM by today’s standards (512 MB/1 GB).

According to the developers, almost any website can be turned into an application for Puffin OS. Such applications launch almost instantly and take up almost no space on the smartphone.

What's bad about the new OS?

There are a few glaring shortcomings to note about the cloud model offered by Cloudmosa. Firstly, for most applications to work, the owner of a smartphone with Puffin OS will need a constant and fairly stable Internet connection (however, basic applications like a phone book or a dialer will work without it). The company, however, assures that thanks to a special technology for compressing web pages, the system will have enough 2.5G (GPRS) speeds for normal operation. It is the “second and a half generation” networks that are often the most common in countries with developing economies, in whose residents Cloudmosa sees its potential clients.

Another disadvantage of Puffin OS is the user’s dependence on the performance of the cloud infrastructure that ensures the functioning of Avatar technology. If the developers at some point change their minds about supporting the servers, owners of phones running Puffin OS will be left with nothing.

Judging by the information posted on the project page, the company plans to work directly with gadget manufacturers. According to the developers, the OS should be pre-installed on budget smartphone models, the price of which initially includes a two-year cost of using cloud applications. After this period, device owners will be able to renew their subscription for a fee.

Predecessors of Puffin OS

The Puffin OS project is not the first attempt to create a cloud mobile operating system. Previously, the Mozilla Foundation entered the market with such an OS. Like Cloudmosa, Firefox OS, introduced by Mozilla in 2013, was aimed at entry-level devices. Smartphones based on Firefox OS were distributed primarily through mobile operators. In Russia, for example,

Until relatively recently, in order to reach another subscriber, you had to be at home. Sometimes they were saved by devices standing on the street. And a little earlier we had to contact the girl who could be heard on the other end of the line as soon as we picked up the phone. Her main task was to connect to the right subscriber. Not very practical, you will agree. But in the 21st century we have absolutely no problems with communication. With the advent of mobile phones, no matter where we are, we are always available to people who know our number. And it seems that if a person does not have a mobile phone, then he is cut off from both life and progress.

Lots of possibilities in a small gadget

Today, such a device will not surprise anyone at all. After all, regular mobile devices have been replaced by smartphones - smart phones. Using such a device you can not only make calls or write SMS messages. These gadgets provide a lot of amazing features. You can listen to music, watch videos and even entire films, go online, visit social networks, use a navigator, alarm clock, calculator, flashlight and many other useful and interesting things. In the world of modern technology, almost every person has a smartphone. Most often, the capabilities of the device depend on the model or manufacturer. But the operating system plays a much larger role for the user. for smartphones allow us to unleash the full potential of the gadget. The quality of its use depends on them. In the article we will talk about those for smartphones and understand their main versions.

Types of operating systems

The operating system has another name - “firmware”. When talking about installing an operating system, they use the term “reflash”. But these words are used more often when talking about versions of operating systems, rather than their types.

There are three most popular, well-known and used operating systems for smartphones, namely Android OS, IOS and Windows. There are others, but they are quite rare and mostly on Chinese models of dubious origin. An experienced user can determine the quality of the product even at the first glance at the operating system.

The operating systems that we named compete with each other every now and then. Smartphone owners note that developers copy elements of the operating system from each other.

In addition to the three main competitors in the operating system development market, there are also those that are created for a specific company or gadget model. For example, Blackberry OS for Blackberry phones or Nokia.

Now let's talk in more detail about the three giants. So, the main operating systems for smartphones.

Windows Phone OS

This “OS” is simply recommended for people who want to try something new. Let’s say right away that there are much fewer smartphones based on this platform than on Android or iOS, but it can also please its owner. For example, in comparison with the same Android, the system works much faster and more productive, but if you compare it with iOS, the products are much cheaper. And users are already a little tired of the familiar interface of the last two systems.

Advantages of Windows

The second advantage of WP is applications in its own store. The fact is that Android has under its auspices the Google Play application store, IOS has the App Store, but the brainchild of Windows is the Windows Phone Store. The number of applications in the latter is relatively small, but because of this it is much easier to understand them. Owners of smartphones running Android have access to thousands of paid and free applications, and sometimes, when they need to find important software, they simply drown in the abyss of the applications offered. But with Windows Phone it’s much easier. Yes, and there are much more high-quality free applications, but their analogues in competitors’ stores are quite expensive.

Moreover, almost all the software is working and free of system errors. In this case, we see a clear example of when quantity does not mean quality. This operating system has a lot of “native” applications, and therefore sometimes there is no need to download any add-ons. Windows is a closed, independent and self-sufficient platform that will appeal to many users. They will also like the speed of the device based on this OS.

It's all about intelligent work with RAM. The system is programmed to unload little-used applications and actively run those that you use frequently. Therefore, everything loads very quickly and hardly slows down. Another beauty of this OS is the tiled interface. The interface of the other two operating systems has a similar structure, but Tile has a radically different approach to rational use of the screen.

Thus, Windows 8, designed for computers, is rightfully considered a failed operating system, and for the most part this is due to its impractical interface. Not all users are accustomed to clicking on tiles on the screen, and few, in general, understood this idea. But this system is perfect for phones. But which operating system is best for a smartphone? Let's understand further.

Smartphones with the Android operating system

The most famous OS for gadgets in the world. This operating system was initially destined for popularity. The fact is that Google owns all rights to Android and is also developing it. Perhaps everyone who has a smartphone is familiar with this operating system. is the undisputed leader in its category. Other smartphone operating systems can't even come close to Android's performance. Thus, according to recent research, about 75% of smartphones released over the past year have this firmware, and even such a popular brand as IOS is content with its 15 percent.

Disadvantages of "Robot"

Among the shortcomings of the operating system, one can only note that everyone has long been bored with it, and even despite the fact that updates and new versions of the system are regularly released, its interface itself and the “little green men” on the screen are quite boring. Plus, users too often complain about lags and system errors. It is not perfect at all, although the developers made sure that updates were released quite often, and accordingly, errors and errors were corrected.

This system is also highly susceptible to attack by various viruses. To avoid this, you have to download additional antivirus programs. The cause of this problem is most often applications ordered from unverified sources, and even Google’s brainchild, Google Play, does not always thoroughly check its products. Now all that remains to be discussed is the advantages of the system.

The best operating system for a smartphone

We can safely say that Android has eclipsed almost all mobile operating systems. A smartphone running this OS perfectly reveals its capabilities. The first thing you should do if you decide to install Android is to create your Google account. This is not difficult to do: you only need to have a Gmail email, specify a password and payment information. Another advantage of having your own account is that it is the same for all Google services, and if you want, for example, to synchronize your smartphone with other devices, it will not be difficult at all.

Google Play is a great app store where you can find everything you like. It breaks records for the number of high-quality and free applications than Android and has won the hearts of many users.

Versions of operating systems for smartphones based on Android proudly bear the names of sweets, and experienced users know where to find the “Easter eggs” hidden in each of these systems.

iOS

All owners of Apple products are familiar with this name and, despite all the shortcomings, are devoted to this operating system. The fact is that it is of excellent quality, hence the price of the gadgets. The system is not familiar with the concept of lags and does not know what “slow down” means. Yes, exceptions sometimes happen, but they are so rare that no one pays attention to them. The OS is very fast and understandable, which has won the hearts of iPhone owners. But now about the bad. If, for example, there are more than enough variations of models and manufacturers of phones for Android, then iOS is tailored strictly for “Apple products”, that is, no one has the rights to use this OS for other equipment.

For Yablochka users

It is quite obvious that the system has not gained momentum in popularity due to the high cost of Apple products. This “OS” is not tormented by viruses thanks to its unique Linux-based program code. All Apple devices synchronize perfectly with each other, however, working with other operating systems on IOS is difficult. It is also very difficult to install the operating system yourself. You can even reflash an Android smartphone at home, but with Apple it’s almost impossible to do this.

All smartphone operating systems have their advantages and disadvantages, but the choice is always yours.

To properly use your smartphone, it is very important to find out what is actually hidden behind the attractive sensor. All mobile phone operating systems can be compared based on the criterion of popularity among users. Full data for the past year is available in the graph below.

The Android system is once again ahead of all similar products. IOS and Symbian, which have been ahead for a long time, are falling further and further behind in this indicator. While the former still has a slim chance of fighting, Symbian has lost its market share almost irrevocably. We can talk about potential competition in the near future from the new Windows Phone 8.

Nokia remains the official owner of OS Symbian. All manufacturers who in one way or another use this system in their developments must agree with the owner on permission to use it. The company dominates the segment of low-cost budget devices that use Java Symbian. However, there has been a downward trend in demand for this product.

Such an OS is very convenient and well designed, but recent developments from other manufacturers are reducing its demand on the market.

Android

Efficiency and beautiful design have become the reason for the universal recognition of this system. Millions of applications created on the basis of . Manufacturers use this development in devices from Motorola, HTC, and Samsung, which is rapidly conquering the market and has already come close to the iPhone, whose position seemed unshakable until recently.

This product remains the wholly owned property of Ressearch in Motion. The development was carried out for the original line of smartphones. Blackberry is strikingly different from other systems with its unusual interface and stylish keyboard and display design.

It has increased reliability parameters and is practically invulnerable to all existing types of viruses. Use by other manufacturers is prohibited.

This system is familiar to almost every person in the era of computerization and mobile communications. Windows 7, with optimal user-friendliness and a superb interface, breathes new life into the system. The second factor of universal recognition is its use in powerful devices from HTS, Samsung and Nokia.
Nokia Lumia series models are developed based on this unique operating system.

BADA

The efficiency and convenience of this product are comparable to Android OS. A giant like Samsung has the rights to use it. It is difficult to explain what the leaders of the concern are guided by without using BADA on the same industrial scale as other systems. It is almost impossible to find flaws in the design, and with minimal promotion its popularity among consumers could be guaranteed.
To date, the application is provided only in the design of three Samsung models.

Palm OS (Garnet OS)

A unique development from 1996, designed for miniature pocket computers. Used mainly for operation using a touch interface. Gradually it became the main element of some smartphone models.
Many companies have used this system in their development for several years, but now it is practically not used. After the renovation in 2007, all work on this project was suspended.

The operating system model, the brainchild of the developer Palm Inc, a short time later became the property of Hewiett Packard. The OS launched into production was used in several modifications of tablets and smartphones.
The advent of Android has significantly reduced the scope of application in this segment. HP has officially notified that it will no longer produce devices on this platform. However, numerous users are still confident in future updates of their favorite system.

Maemo

The well-known OS was the result of development after the merger of two concerns - Maemo Communty and Nokia. The latest version has a multi-section desktop and many convenient new features. The announcement of the project's merger with Mobilin was a major factor in the creation of an innovative OS called MeeGo.

MeeGo

The original idea was to create a platform for mobile devices. But the scope of application gradually expanded and the system successfully found its place in miniature computers, netbooks and the latest models of television equipment, devices used in vehicles. The Moorestown Tablet PC, Nokia No. 9, was presented at the prestigious Computex Taipei exhibition.

In terms of the number of OS units used, Android remains the undisputed favorite. But in terms of net profit, Apple is ahead of all competitors, having caught up with Firefox in this parameter. The long-standing hegemon in the browser market is now very actively developing an operating system for mobile devices and is determined to change the current situation in the OS market.