The evolution of mobile Operating Systems has come a long way since the early days. Although mobile phones have gone through many changes over the years, one thing that remains consistent is the operating systems used on most mobile devices.
Mobile operating systems (OS) were first seen in 1992 when IBM developed the first smartphone known as Simon. At that time, mobile devices were not powerful enough to support a complete operating system; hence, different iterations of OS were developed like Symbian, Palm OS and Blackberry OS.
In 2001, the first mobile OS dedicated to creating mobile applications, Java Mobile Edition (J2ME), was created. J2ME was the first mobile platform that allowed developers to develop applications for mobile devices with ease.
Later, Microsoft released Windows Mobile which was an extended version of its predecessor. Windows Mobile did well but suffered a serious setback when Apple Inc released its first iPhone in 2007.
The arrival of Apple’s iPhone in 2007 revolutionized the mobile world. The technology and aesthetics of the IOS were a significant influence on the mobile operating system landscape.
Apple’s ground-breaking iOS was a pioneer for other mobile operating systems, forcing its competitors to up their game or risk losing their market share. Google’s Android OS and Microsoft’s Windows Phone followed in 2008 and 2010, respectively, to compete with Apple’s iOS.
In 2012, Apple released its iOS 6; it was an upgrade to the older iOS 5 and showcased new features that were not present in its predecessor. The OS left an indelible impact on the mobile operating systems market and continues to do so to date.
Apple’s iOS latest design language is not only impressive in terms of visuals but intuitive for users. The inspiration drawn from Apple’s iOS by competitors was seen in many of the new features that were introduced in their operating systems.
Some of the improvements include user experience and look-and-feel. iOS 6 has a remarkable improvement on the phone application.
The new phone app gives users the ability to do more than just make and receive phone calls. The new phone app has a callback, reminder and reply message feature.
The user can also choose to receive or reject a call with a quick response message, which can be either a preset or a new personalized message. Another significant feature of iOS 6 is Passbook.
Passbook is an app that manages user’s tickets, boarding passes, and loyalty cards. It functions as a digital wallet with the ability to store secure encrypted passes and makes for a quick way to access one’s required information in one place.
With the release of iOS 6, Apple introduced the ability to make FaceTime calls over 3G. Facetime, an app for making video and audio calls, previously worked solely on Wi-Fi. With the new update, users can make and receive Facetime calls when they are away from Wi-Fi.
The new Safari app is also an upgrade on the previous version, with improvements to page loads and 3D touch, enabling the user to access relevant in-page content using a light press.
Also, the new mail app allows the user to load all the emails simultaneously, making it easier to navigate through the emails when working on the phone. Siri, the smart assistant on iOS 6, was significantly improved.
Its refinement made Siri more precise, and it had better knowledge of specific locations. Apple Maps on iOS 6 replaced Google Maps, and it provided voice-activated directions and real-time traffic reports.
The integration of social media into iOS 6 was better than its predecessors. The integration of Facebook and Twitter allowed users to keep track of notifications, post updates, and check-ins from the home screen.
Windows Phone 7.5 Mango OS is a mature product that compares favorably to competitors like iOS 6. Mango, released in 2011, was a significant improvement for its predecessor Windows Phone 7.
User-friendly features, such as a live tile interface and integrated Xbox Live gaming feature, attracted users. Additionally, Mango’s boot and resume times were significantly faster, and it boasted a new streamlined browsing feature.
The integration of top-rated music service, Zune Pass, made Mango an exciting offering. The unique feature of Windows Phone 7.5 Mango was the integration of Office and Exchange.
This provided a way to work on the go, giving users access to their emails, documents, and other office tools required while working on the phone. This was a competitive advantage as Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android OS had no such integration.
While both operating systems boast unique features, Windows Phone 7.5 Mango fell short of its counterpart in terms of 3rd party app support. Microsoft’s mobile operating system lacked support from some key apps, which were available on Android and iOS.
In terms of UI, Windows Phone 7.5 Mango’s Metro UI is visually appealing and intuitive, but its users are small when compared to the vast number of users on Android and iOS. iOS, on the other hand, has a more generic UI, but its visual and functional appeal has created a large user base.
Another problem Mango suffered was the lack of dual-core processor support. While Apple’s iOS 6 and Android OS offered the processing power to multitask and switch between apps seamlessly, Mango could not compete in this category.
In conclusion, the evolution of mobile operating systems has been an exciting journey. Each new milestone has brought significant improvements, making our mobile experience better and more seamless.
Apple’s iOS 6 and Windows Phone 7.5 Mango have created the stage for other mobile operating systems, but it is clear that they have different strengths. Nevertheless, these strengths have positioned them as prime competition to beat in the mobile operating system industry.
When it comes to choosing a mobile Operating System, there is no clear winner. Both Apple iOS 6 and Windows Phone 7.5 Mango have their ups and downs, making it difficult to choose between them.
It’s an ongoing battle between the two for supremacy over the mobile operating system market. Windows Phone 7.5 Mango provides Office and OneNote integration, making it a valuable tool for working on-the-go.
The Office and OneNote integration means users can manage their work-related documents and emails straight from their mobile devices. This makes Windows Phone 7.5 Mango an attractive option for professionals who want to continue working while on the move.
Apple’s iOS 6, on the other hand, puts simplicity and Siri integration at the forefront of its features. Siri, the smart assistant, is a handy feature that makes work-life balance easier.
Siri makes it a lot easier to navigate tasks and events on the go, making iOS 6 an ideal option for individuals who require simplicity and user-friendliness. One of the most notable features of Windows Phone 7.5 Mango is its Metro UI.
The unique tiled interface is visually appealing and intuitive. The UI is perfect for users who prefer an exciting aesthetic experience.
iOS 6, on the other hand, has a more generic UI. The simplicity of its design is easy on the eyes and tends to be more user-friendly than Windows Phone 7.5 Mango’s Metro UI.
In addition, iOS 6 has the added benefit of being widely accepted by its users. Apple’s user base is large and well-established, making it a reliable option for users who want to stick with a tried and tested option.
The size of the app store is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an operating system. The size of an app store has a significant impact on the types of applications one can download for their devices.
iOS 6 has a large app store with a variety of apps that cater to different needs. Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, on the other hand, has a smaller app store than its counterpart but offers many unique applications that are not available on iOS.
Device restrictions are another factor to consider when choosing an operating system. Apple’s iOS 6 is only available on iPhones, iPads, and iPods.
If the user enjoys the Apple ecosystem, iOS 6 is a perfect choice. If the user wants to enjoy the features of Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, they need to get a device that is compatible with it.
In conclusion, choosing an Operating System comes down to personal preference. Each OS has its strengths and weaknesses.
Windows Phone 7.5 Mango provides Office and OneNote integration, a visually appealing Metro UI, and limited 3rd party applications. iOS 6, on the other hand, has an easy-to-use interface, Siri integration and a large app store.
The choice of Operating System depends on the user’s lifestyle and professional requirements. In conclusion, the evolution of mobile operating systems has been an exciting journey from black and white screens to sophisticated designs.
While Apple’s iOS 6 and Windows Phone 7.5 Mango continue to battle for supremacy, there is no clear winner. They have their strengths and weaknesses, depending on individual needs, such as Office integration, simplicity, and Metro UI preference, app store size, and device restrictions.
Ultimately, the choice of the operating system depends on personal preference and professional requirements. Regardless, the impact of these mobile operating systems on the world of mobile communication is significant, and it’s essential to stay mindful of the ongoing developments in the field.