Mobile Operating Systems

Today’s cellular phones, PDAs, and mobile email devices are more powerful than ever before, performing functions that would have been almost unthinkable just a few short years ago. Although hardware improvements are credited with much of this progress, none of it would be possible without a vital piece of software: the mobile operating system.

Not surprisingly, Microsoft, has been a major player in the quickly developing mobile OS market, attempting to extend its dominance of the PC software sector into the realm of Smartphones and PDAs. The company has made significant progress in this direction since the launch of Windows Mobile 5.0 in September 2005.

The advanced new mobile operating system ignited new interest in the PDAs, and was instrumental to Microsoft’s success in the smartphone market. Even Palm Inc., which has traditionally manufactured devices for use with its own home-grown OS, launched a Windows-based smartphone, the Palm Treo 700w, in early 2006. Although it was subject to some criticism at first, the new Treo was able to gain a strong foothold in the enterprise mobility sector in the months following its launch.

Microsoft scored another victory for the Windows Mobile franchise when leading CDMA chipmaker, Qualcomm, agreed to pre-install Windows directly onto 3G wireless chipsets. This practice is will likely result in lighter and easier-to-develop smartphones in the future.

It is important to remember, however, that Windows isn’t the only operating system for mobile devices. Symbian, whose OS has successfully replaced many manufacturers’ homegrown cell phone platforms, offers a highly dynamic product with very competitive licensing fees.

The Open Source software platform, Linux, has also met with some success in the mobile realm, with the help of a consortium of carriers and other companies intent on standardizing the system for wireless devices.

As cellular handsets become more advanced, and many users opt for high-end multifunction devices, the market for mobile operating systems is sure to become increasingly competitive and visible in the years to come.


Published by TeleClick Enterprises
Edited by Jeremy Maddock