1. Android operating systems
Abstract:
A smartphone needs a smart operating system.
Here’s what you should keep in mind while
getting yours.
There are five main mobile operating systems
(OS), each claiming superiority over the other.
Arguably, options are always good for users but
with mobile phones it means making a confusing
choice between the latest devices in the market
and going by someone’s recommendation.
Here’s what you should consider before getting
your OS.
THE BUDGET SYMBIAN OS
Symbian OS (with Belle update) is best
experienced on the new Nokia 701. The Nokia
701 comes with a solid hardware upgrade. The
1GHz CPU, with 512MB RAM, encompasses a
lot more than the relatively lighter Symbian OS
is accustomed to.Nokia faced stiff competition
from Android devices as well as Apple in
2010-11. But it is catching up with devices like
701 and an upgraded OS.
What’s good?
The key elements of the Belle update bring a
new homescreen and menu to the device,
updated native apps and an interface that’s quite
intuitive. Belle brings new enhancements and
tweaks making it more “Android-like” than ever.
Symbian OS now follows the same basic user
interface principles that have made Google and
Apple so popular. This includes quick access to
settings and notifications from a menu hidden at
the top of the screen. Nokia has ditched folders
within the applications’ menu pages and on a
1Ghz or more processor, the OS really flies.
Why invest in Symbian OS
Symbian fans would know the simplicity of the
system is hard to get over. New features like
NFC support allow pairing with headphones,
speakers and advertising billboards and content
sharing with just a tap. What does the future hold
for Symbian? Rumours suggest that at least two
more updates are in the offing that are billed as
Symbian Carla and Symbian Donna.
APPLE IOS
Apple’s latest upgrade, the new iOS 5 is not truly
new, but delivers a better of way of doing things
on your smartphone.
What’s good?
In iOS 5, Apple has finally redesigned the
system. So, one no longer needs to dock an iOS
device to a PC before using it. You can continue
using the device — be it iPhone, iPad, or iPod
Touch — without connecting it to a PC,
assuming you embrace Apple’s iCloud service.
This free service provides 5GB space for
calendar, contacts and documents that are pushed
across iOS devices linked with a single Apple
ID. Another noticeable feature is the iMessage
(just like BlackBerry’s BBM), an instant
messaging service built into iOS 5. As long as
you’ve got someone’s Apple ID email address,
you can start pinging them instant messages
without having to send a network SMS. For the
iPhone and the iPad, iOS 5 now supports private
browsing in the browser that you can switch on
and off via the settings.
Why invest in iOS 5?
Yes, iOS5 is like Android and Windows Phone 7
but it still has the original touchscreen, with an
app store that has the most innovative apps. The
iOS is intuitive and gives a level of
customisation that is impossible on other OSes.

2. ANDROID OS
Android’s open source allows you to slap a
circuit board into a polycarbonate case and spin
out their own phone. The latest version of the
OS, 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update, merges
Android on phones and tablets.
What’s good?
Samsung Galaxy series, Motorola Xoom and
HTC devices have actively launched
smartphones powered by Android OS and are
extremely popular.
A noticeable inclusion in the latest version is a
new font called Roboto designed for the new HD
displays on mobile devices. There is an
interesting face unlock feature where Android
4.0 can use the built-in facial recognition
technology to recognise user and unlock the
device. Widgets on homescreen are similar to
Honeycomb (older Android version) — they are
interactive, scrollable and can be resized, too.
Why invest in Android OS?
Android is an open system and handset
manufacturers love the platform. In other words,
expect affordable Android handsets to flood the
market. The freedom the platform gives in terms
of unlocked & free apps is good enough reason
to bring in younger customers.