Remember the days when mobile phones could only be used to make calls? I guess you know the operating system of mobile phones, but you may not know much about the use of microwave ovens. Brother, times have changed!
Today's smart phone is an ultra-portable personal computer with Internet access. The operating system they use determines the number of functions and the size of personalization.
Buying a mobile phone is actually buying a platform. This process is the same as whether you consider choosing a PC or an Apple computer.
In order to see what the operating system of smart phones is like today, we have spent some time studying this market carefully. The top five mobile phone operating systems have obvious advantages: Apple's iPhone(iPhone 3G), Google's Android(T-Mobile G 1), Microsoft's Windows Mobile(HTC Touch Diamond), Nokia's S60 Symbian(N96) and RIM's BlackBerry Bold.
Here, we compare the functions, usability and visual effects of five operating systems, their standard application software and other third-party programs.
Apple iPhone OS
What is this? IPhone OS is a pocket version of Apple's famous computer Mac OS X. After slimming and redesign, it can drive iPhone 3G mobile phones.
How it works: When you use the multi-touch interface of iPhone 3G with your fingertips, you will find that its hardware and software have merged into a pleasant experience. Using other operating systems, you will either find yourself easily confused by various complicated menus or find it so complicated to complete a simple task; IPhone programs have always been exquisite and unified. The most criticized omission of this operating system is that it doesn't provide the function of copying and pasting-but to be honest, I personally don't particularly need this function.
System Appearance: Great! Whether it is advanced display or smooth animation effect, these are combined to form the most colorful and attractive use environment on handheld devices.
Built-in programs: not "good" but "great"-especially Safari browser, which has never made the whole process of browsing websites so simple. In addition, the music and video programs of the system are indeed consistent with the caliber of the iPod. However, as an application tool, some designs of iPhone are not deep enough: you can't search emails, edit documents and manage daily itinerary lists.
Third-party software: After Apple opened the iPhone to other developers, thousands of softwares have sprung up in just one month, and you can download them directly from the software store. Among them, the best are Facebook and Evernote notes. However, Apple's restrictions on these third-party software have set a huge obstacle in front of instant messaging software or office suites. They cannot run in the background and are not allowed to access data outside of themselves. In addition, Apple, as the sole distributor of iPhone software, rejected many useful software provided by developers, which made people feel rude and overbearing! But it always does.
Conclusion: iPhone OS is obviously the most intuitive and relaxed operating system at present, but its growth may be hindered unless Apple reviews its tendency of "controlling everything".
Google Android
What is this? It is Google's brand-new mobile phone operating system and an ambitious open source platform, which aims to let enterprises customize their favorite operating systems for their series of mobile phones. But so far, it has only been used on one mobile phone-T-Mobile's G 1.
How it works: On G 1, the interface of Android feels like a mixture of iPhone and BlackBerry. Most of its functions can be easily completed through the touch screen, but the trackball and menu are still retained. In addition, it also follows the Home and Back buttons used by mobile phones. By the way, there is also a highly customizable desktop! Generally speaking, it is much better than those old platforms, but it is still not as good as iPhone.
System appearance: Android is not a masterpiece of art like iPhone OS, but it is fresh and charming, making full use of the high-resolution screen of G 1.
Built-in programs: closely integrated with Google's related services, such as Gmail and Google Calendar. Even if you turn on the computer for the first time, the first thing you have to do is to enter your Google account information. If you don't need to use an email program like Microsoft Exchange, there's nothing wrong with that. )
Although Android browser does not have the multi-touch browsing function of iPhone, it is quite close. The best feature of its music function is that it can download DRM-free songs from Amazon. Alas, it is a pity that its video playback only supports video clips on YouTube.
Third-party software: Developers are just getting involved in Android. A market service mechanism similar to iPhone allows you to download software directly from Google to your mobile phone. Unlike the iPhone, you can also get programs directly from third-party software vendors, such as Handango, which is much more flexible.
Conclusion: Android has great potential. If it can be applied to more mobile phones, the future is limitless. On G 1, this hopeful newborn is realizing his dream step by step.
RIM blackberry operating system
What is this? This software is used to drive RIM's BlackBerry smartphones, including Curve, Pearl and 8800, which is called the brand-new "black storm".
Working mode: In the past ten years, the basic idea behind the BlackBerry interface has changed significantly. Why would they do that? In essence, the interface of BlackBerry is the same as that of iPhone in design logic and coordination: in most mobile phone models, basically all the functions of all software can be completed only by a trackball, a menu button and a button to return to the previous screen.
After mastering these three operations, you can quickly jump into this operating system at an ultra-fast speed (I have never tried "Black Storm", and it is said that this machine uses a touch screen similar to iPhone instead of the standard BlackBerry control buttons).
System appearance: BlackBerry OS looks quite ordinary, basically text-oriented, although the latest models (such as Black Storm) beautify it with clear fonts and beautiful icons.
Built-in software: Blackberry's email and calendar software is still a model of the most efficient design and the most reliable real-time connection software, and it has set a standard for those widely used information systems (such as Microsoft's Exchange).
Black Storm has launched a much improved new browser, which can be compared with iPhone OS and Android, and can perfectly present the effect that designers wanted when they made the website. Its music video software is also good, but it can only be said to be second-rate in application tools.
Third-party software: Blackberry users didn't have much choice in the past, but recently its market suddenly broke out. From application tools to games, thousands of software came into being. However, compared with Windows Mobile and S60, its optional range is relatively small.
At present, BlackBerry has no "Sky Store" comparable to Apple and Android markets. It is said that RIM's BlackBerry store will open in March 2009.
Conclusion: Although the BlackBerry operating system has existed for many years, it is still a treasure knife. At the same time, it also proves that it still has the ability to learn and master new things.
Microsoft Windows Mobile
What is this? As the name implies, it belongs to the mobile version of Microsoft Windows. 6. 1 version has been adopted by more than a dozen mobile phones, and its manufacturers include HTC (mobile phone for touching diamonds), Motorola, Palm, Samsung and so on.
Some vendors, including HTC, Palm and Samsung, will provide their own software for Windows Mobile, or make some adjustments to the basic level of Windows Mobile operating system to meet their own needs.
Working mode: Surprisingly, the operating performance of Windows Mobile is almost the same as that of ordinary Windows, especially the start menu and system taskbar. Touch Diamond adopts a finger touch drive system (called "TocuhFLO"), which covers some traditional Microsoft interfaces, and this system is quite close to the iPhone in terms of aesthetics and simplicity.
System appearance: It looks fine, but it is really far from the appearance of the iPhone operating system.
Built-in software: As far as the current mobile phone is concerned, the IE version above is really too old; Touch Diamond just replaced IE with Opera Mobile. Microsoft has released a brand-new version of IE, but so far it has not been used on any mobile phone. But those basic office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint are really good.
Third-party software: The best thing about this system is that there are completely different third-party software in each category. For example, Wisbar Advance produced by Lakeridge software allows you to fine-tune the appearance, feel and related functions of the interface, thus making up for the shortcomings of the original system design. However, unlike iPhone OS and Android, Microsoft does not have a dedicated software store or official website to provide them centrally.
Conclusion: Windows Mobile has fallen behind in many aspects. The next major revision of the version will not be launched until at least the end of 2009, and may even be postponed to 2065438+00; By that time, it is estimated that version 6. 1 has long been lost.
Nokia S60 Third Edition Saipan
What is this? S60, the third edition, is the third edition of the respected Symbian mobile operating system. You can find it on many smart phones, not only Nokia's own phones (including the latest N96), but also LG and Samsung's phones.
How it works: The interface of S60 is quite outdated. With it, the smartest mobile phone looks like a numeric keypad and several other buttons. In addition, it always lets you browse back and forth in menus and various items (Blackberry operating system has done more and better in making non-touch screen operating system faster and more efficient! )。
Appearance of the system: measured by current standards, it is undoubtedly quite "old-fashioned", with only short fonts and ancient icons.
Built-in software: depending on the phone model, the difference is quite big. The N96 we tried provides a fairly comprehensive software series, which is quite impressive only in terms of software functions. For example, its browser has a zoom-out/zoom-in interface, which is theoretically similar to Safari in iPhone OS. However, due to the cumbersome interface, these softwares are not as powerful as other mobile phones we tested earlier.
Third-party software: Thanks to the long history and wide use of Symbian, Handango and other websites have extremely rich S60 software available, providing the largest software library for any platform.
Conclusion: Compared with iPhone OS and Android, the third edition of S60 is quite old, but it also faces the problem of quitting the historical stage. However, the brand-new S60 fifth edition has brought the latest functions to this operating system, such as supporting touch screen. Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic, as the first mobile phone to use this system, is expected to be launched early next year.
The most incredible result appeared, and the two operating systems with the shortest available time both won: iPhone OS and Android.
* * * Same advantages: Both of them are developed for Internet-centric devices, both of which have many functions and are very interesting, and both of them use super easy-to-use brand-new programs, which greatly expand the functions of mobile phones.
Different expectations: As far as the current situation is concerned, the iPhone OS has beaten Google OS in a shorter time and a rougher style, but over time, the open source design of Android and unrestricted third-party developers may give it an advantage in the face of a more closed Apple operating system.
Laggard: Among other "old guys", BlackBerry OS pays great attention to keeping pace with the times and has done a lot of solid work in maintaining its leading edge. To our regret, contrary to the above, the third edition of Windows Mobile and s60 is faltering and seriously aging.