CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND STUDY

With the use of mobile, the mobile technology is also developing day by day. The mobile

phone has made our life easily. We can perform different task of our daily life on mobile

phones in few seconds. We can transfer money, pay utility bills by using mobile phones in

few seconds for which we have to go to banks that takes a lot of time. When a customer goes

to market to buy a cell phone he gets confused when he sees number of cell phones

developed by different companies. Each cell phone has different features and use different

operating system. There are number of operating systems that are used by different

companies. These operating systems are listed below:

 Symbian OS: Nokia uses the Symbian OS in their cell phones.

 Android OS: Google developed android OS and it was based on Linux kernel.

Samsung and HTC use the Android OS.

 iOS (iPhone OS): Apple developed the iOS. It is used in iPhone, iPod.

 BlackBerry OS: BlackBerry uses the BlackBerry OS in their cell phones.

 Windows phone: Nokia and HTC use Windows Mobile Operating System in their

Windows Phones.

The OS listed above have different features. All OS differ from one another. This study will

give you review of different comparative studies on mobile operating systems and difference

between these operating system.

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1.2 WHAT IS OPERATING SYSTEM?

An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer

hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs. The

dominant desktop operating system is Microsoft Windows with a market share of around

82.74%. macOS by Apple Inc. is in second place (13.23%), and the varieties of Linux are

collectively in third place (1.57%).

1.3 WHAT IS MOBILE OPERATING SYSTEM?

A mobile operating system (OS) is software that allows smartphones, tablet PCs and other

devices to run applications and programs.

A mobile OS typically starts up when a device powers on, presenting a screen with icons or

tiles that present information and provide application access. Mobile operating systems also

manage cellular and wireless network connectivity, as well as phone access.

1.4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

I am aiming to review different mobile operating systems used in different mobile phones.

For this purpose, we have studied different papers related to mobile operating system and we

will provide a brief review of these studies.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sharma et al. (2013) according to them now a day's advancement in mobile technology has

become a big challenge in the mobile market this study discusses different technologies used

with different mobiles in the market. 0G was the first generation with only analog feature i.e.,

only voice call was allowed and no data feature presents different generation of mobile. The

1G was little advance that allowed limited data feature with voice call. The 2G was little

more advance than the previous one with voice call, sms and cellular network features. The

3G brought more advance features like streaming data, broadband and voice. The 4G added

advance features in the previous generation like highspeed broadband and high data rate.

Along with advancement in mobile technology, different operating systems were designed to

support these technologies.

Jaeyeol et. al. (2013) discussed that Smartphone using application like Android, BlackBerry,

Linux and iPhone that fulfil the user requirements has become a prerequisite. They over-

reviewed the related work about media player for audio video files, Handler, SD card for

storage and activity life cycle of android application. From survey, they proposed the class

diagram for English tutoring application, handler function and Text-to-Speech. At the end,

they proposed optimization function to develop English tutoring android application for user

to learn English easily in a hope that it will help developers to write English applications.

Nosrati et. al. (2012) presented a brief introduction of mobile computing including various

mobile devices and operating systems. The devices like tablet, smartphone, personal digital

assistant, ultra-mobile PC, and wearable computers are introduced. They also discussed about

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BlackBerry, iOS, Android, and Bada, Symbian, Windows, Palm OS. At the end, some

general limitations of mobile computing devices are subjected.

2.1 COMPARISON OF THESE OPERATING SYSTEMS

Comparison of these operating systems is given below:

SYMBIAN OS:

The "Symbian Ltd" company designed this operating system and the first programming

language used by this OS is C++. Nokia mobiles use this operating system. The integrated

development environment used for this OS is Carbide C++, code warrior, Visual C++. Where

programmer is free to use any programming language.

ANDROID OS:

This OS is designed for those operating system which are based on Linux kernel and

developed first by Google and then by Open Handset Alliance (OHA). The primary language

used was java. Applications can be written in any language but later on, it is too compiled on

ARM code. Samsung and HTC use this OS.

IPHONE OS:

Apple company designed this operating. The native language is C and apple company

products use this OS. Blackberry OS: This OS was designed by Research in Motion (RIM)

for blackberry smart phones. It provides multitasking and specially was designed for touch

screen, track ball input features. The OS is used by blackberry Smartphone and it was written

in C++.

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WINDOW OS 7:

This OS was designed by Microsoft and was written in C ++. It is only used in the special

market that is window mobile market. In the study the authors have further discussed and

compare android and apple OS:

 The loading time of iphone is less than the android.

 The android drag and drop feature allow the user to continue his/her current work in

case of any missed instance but apple force the user to close the current task.

 Maintenance is easy in apple OS as it is controlled by Apple. However, android is

used by multiple platforms and it is not easy to provide the maintenance on different

platforms.

The competition of mobile technology shows the future of the mobile market. The price of

the mobiles will reduce and functionality will increase. The most competitors like apple and

android has already started to work to meet the challenges of the future.

Jindal and Jain (2012) according to them with ongoing competition in mobile market, the

motive of every mobile company is to provide the best features and ease to use interface to

the users. However, perfection needs time. This study analyses different OS bases on

features, lacking advantages. Authors also provide the new ideas to make add new features in

different OS based on his comparison. In mobile world, the complex OS contain user

interface. Therefore, the OS is hidden from the user. Operating system is a key element in

performing the task the choice of OS is important as it shows that what functions does that

OS support. The OS provides a software platform on top of which other application programs

can run. The applications are written for OS so the choice of an OS matters a lot.

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2.2 TYPES OF MOBILE OS PLATFORMS:

The existing OS used by the computers can differentiate mobile operating system.

1. Real time operating system: Such kings of OS respond to the input and generate the

results immediately. Such kinds of OS are used for scientific uses where memory and

resources availability is crucial. Such devices have very limited or zero end user utilities.

2. Single user single tasking operating system: Better than RTOS. One user can do one task

only. Palm OS in palm hand held devices is an example.

3. Single user multi-tasking operating system: Microsoft windows and Apple Mac are the

examples where one user can run more than one application at a time.

4. Multi user operating system: UNIX and mainframe OS are the examples. It allows

minimum two and maximum hundred or more users to rum the application at the same

time.

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 Fig 1:1 Types of mobile operating system

2.2.1 Android:

This technology is based on java software. This requires software development kit to create

applications. The SDK is open source and can freely download from the internet. That is why

it can be run on multiple operating systems. Android is a multi-process technology. Each

process runs on its own process. In addition, the process level security is enforced through

Linux facilities. Android is an open source platform. It allows the user to load any software

from any developer on a device.

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 Android applications

The android applications are at the topmost layer of the Android software stack. These

comprise both the native applications and the third party applications. The native

applications provide the basic Android implementation such as SMS client app, Dialer,

Web browser and Contact manager. The third party applications are further installed by

the developers, programmers while debugging/testing and user after purchasing the

device.

 Application Framework

On the top of Native libraries and android runtime layer, there is application framework

layer. It provides many packages of higher-level services to application that collectively

form the environment within which they are constructed from reusable, interchangeable

and replaceable components. It provides the functions of phone like location

management, data sharing, resource management etc. The packages present are as given

below:

1. Activity manager It controls and manages the activity lifecycle of applications.

2. Resource manager It manages and provides access to non-code embedded

resources such as graphics, strings, colour settings and user interface layouts.

3. Notification manager It allows all applications to show custom alerts in status bar

and notifications to the user. 2.4.4 Location manager When user enters or leaves a

particular geographical location, it triggers alerts about location changes using

GPS or cell tower.

4. Package manager The system by which applications are able to retrieve the data

about other applications currently installed on the device.

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 5. Telephony manager It manages and enables to access voice calls, network

connection settings, status and subscriber information service in our application.

6. Window manager an extensible set of creative views and layouts is used to create

application user interfaces.

7. Content Provider It is the system by which it enables and manages data sharing

between applications

2.2.2 IOS (Apple):

This operating system has no security and it does not allow all third party programs on the

device. However, this feature also reduces the risk of malicious software. The iPhone OS

security APIs are located in the Core Services layer of the operating system and are based on

services in the Core OS (kernel) layer of the operating system.

2.2.3 Symbian:

Accenture maintains it. It was used by Nokia 60 series. The latest version is used in Nokia

N8. The authors conclude that IOS is enjoying the mobile market due to the largest and

popular apple company support. While android is also getting popularity due to its wide

variety of application store. On the other hand, the Symbian is lacking in supporting the

applications. While talking about graphical user interface it is super in IOS and android is

also in the same race. However, Symbian is lacking this facility. On the other hand, talking

about hardware support. IOS has a good hardware support. While android is still working to

make it better. In addition, Symbian is the best one for supporting hardware.

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Tiwaskar et al. (2012) according to them now a day's smart phones are a vital part of our life

and working like a laptop. This study describes the architecture of mobile computing and

comparison of various software factors of various mobile operating systems. New features of

android OS are also introduced.

2.3 Mobile Computing:

Mobile Computing is a technology that allows transmission of data, via a computer, without

having to be connected to a fixed physical link. Three important facets of mobile computing

are:

 Mobile communication

 Mobile hardware

 Mobile software.

1. Mobile Communication:

The mobile communication in this case, refers to the infrastructure put in place to

ensure that seamless and reliable communication goes on. These would include

devices such as protocols, services, bandwidth, and portals necessary to facilitate and

support the stated services. The data format is also defined at this stage. This ensures

that there is no collision with other existing systems which offer the same service .

Since the media is unguided/unbounded, the overlaying infrastructure is basically

radio wave-oriented. That is, the signals are carried over the air to intended devices

that are capable of receiving and sending similar kinds of signals.

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2. Mobile Hardware:

Mobile hardware includes mobile devices or device components that receive or

access the service of mobility. They would range from portable laptops, smartphones,

tablet Pc's, Personal Digital Assistants. These devices will have a receptor medium

that is capable of sensing and receiving signals. These devices are configured to

operate in full- duplex, whereby they are capable of sending and receiving signals at

the same time. They don't have to wait until one device has finished communicating

for the other device to initiate communications.

Fig 1:2 Mobile hardware

3. Mobile Software:

Mobile software is the actual program that runs on the mobile hardware. It deals with

the characteristics and requirements of mobile applications. This is the engine of the

mobile device. In other terms, it is the operating system of the appliance. It's the

essential component that operates the mobile device.

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 CHAPTER THREE

3.1 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MOBILE OS

A mobile is a kind of wireless device that is able to share the data using its own operating

system. Open source means the specific application but it allows allow changing the coding

to change the functionality of application. User can access the internal application and can

make changes according to their own requirements. The Symbian OS is partially open access

and it is only open source for the business. While windows OS is restricted. Whereas android

gives full access for Open source and users can make changes easily to the applications. The

home screen is different in every mobile of same or different brand. The android supports

five home screens with dynamically fitting widgets that means the widgets are displayed

according to the screen size and space available on the screen. The Symbian provides three

home screens with six slots on each screen. These six slots may be used for Apps and

widgets. Windows Phones use the Metro UI based on a Live Tile home screen that is bright

and colorful.

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 Fig 2:1 Smartphone Market forecast(IDC)

The Android phone must be re-charged every 4 hours so because it uses the most powerful

hardware on the market to balance the lack of internal performance, while a Symbian

Smartphone will be alive in battery for many days. This is because Symbian manages the

perfect balance between power utilization and receptiveness of the device. It is the case of

Windows. The battery power does not last for long and has to be charged periodically.

The study concludes that android is more preferred than Symbian and windows but it is more

susceptible to security threats and viruses due to the permission of anonymous applications

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submission. However, as user point of view the android OS is mostly preferred OS than the

other two OS.

Khomh et al. (2012) according to them many software companies prefer to reuse existing

grown-up software to deliver a high quality system in a short period. One of the best

examples is of Google who used Linux operating system into android OS for the mobiles.

This study author has conducted an experiential study to understand how Android adapts the

Linux kernel. Using software repositories from Linux and Android, author assessed the effort

needed to reuse and adapt the Linux kernel into Android.

Linux is a very flexible Operating system so the mobile carriers also adopt it as an OS.

Famous handset vendors of this OS are Motorola, NEC, Panasonic and Samsung. The cost of

adapting existing software is less than making new software.

During software adaptation, three principal phases are particularly important and if these are

not done properly then software adaptation can become more expensive than making a new

one. The three phases are:

 The initial modification of the existing software system to reuse its functionalities in

the adapted system.

 The maintenance of the adapted system to keep it updated with changes from the

original system.

 The corrective maintenance of the adapted system to fix bugs carried down from the

original system as well as the new bugs introduced during the previous development

phases of the adapted system.

Results show that 99% of Linux kernel’s functionalities were reused into Android and only

0.7% of Linux kernel’s files were modified during this adaptation. On average, only 5% of

Android files were modified because of a merge from Linux and the lasting impact of a

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merging commits is less than three subsequent commits. Linux developers fix 95% of bugs

reported on the Android kernel.

Hammershøj et al. (2009) according to them mobile Social Networking is becoming a reality

motivated by the introduction and further expansion of Smartphone. One of the changes in

the advance capabilities of Smartphone is to enabling these mobile devices to bring in the

advantages of the convergence process and bring the advanced Internet applications and

services like social networking to the mobile devices. However, the device market is

dominated by a number of different technological platforms, including different Operating

Systems (OS) and ‘software development platforms’, resulting in a diversity of different

competing solutions on the market driven by different actors. The aim of this study is to give

a relative analysis of these technological platforms and recognize their strengths and

weakness for being the platform of the future. The author has done analysis based on

following parameters:

1. Openness: It takes into account the extent of open source is the OS.

2. Look and feel: The overall impression of the graphical user interface, the general user

experience and how the OS launches and handles the vast amount of applications.

3. Web integration: The implementation of the OS towards being an online community

terminal.

4. Future perspectives: The approach evaluations and predictions done by other analysts on

how the OS is going to perform in the growing Smartphone market in the future:

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 IPHONE: Iphone OS is developed by apple. This OS is able to support

applications from apple and from third party vendors. This OS is unable to

perform multitasking. Any development in this OS is controlled by apple.

However, to keep the position of the iPhone, Apple will have to continue

development and innovations, as an iPhone is an expensive product in a market

with many comparatively even challengers.

 ANDROID: This is the result of OHA with the Google as partner for

implementation. This is an open source OS. However, applications created by

Google are not open source. It has multitasking support. This is a suitable choice

for cloud computing. Google chrome is especially supported by cloud computing.

 SYMBIAN: Before Symbian was the much stronger OS. However, the

development of the new OS like android and iphone has already challenged the

future of Symbian OS. However, looking at the roadmap for the further

development of Symbian and other supporting open source initiatives done by the

Symbian foundation with Nokia in the lead, it seems that Symbian will still be a

strong competitor on the Smartphone market in the future.

 BLACKBERRY: It was designed by RIM (Research in Motion). This OS truly

support multitasking in high speed. Loading time of applications is also fast.

Business people due to especially the smart email handling originally adopted the

Blackberry. RIM exclusively controls the development for the OS and it will

probably be around for years to come. However, especially android, iPhone and

the future Windows Mobile 7-enabled Smartphone can be hard competitors.

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 WINDOWS MOBILE: This OS is property of Microsoft and is not open source.

It is limited in terms of applications and functionality like other operating systems.

Fig 2:2 Comparison of mobile operating system

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 3.2 THE PROS AND CONS OF THE MAJOR MOBILE OPERATING

SYSTEM

Smartphone operating systems often inspire dire loyalty in their users. Once someone owns

an iPhone/Android/Windows Phone they rarely switch. But sometimes it’s good to put

emotional attachment aside and take an objective look at what each OS really offers you

never know, you might be persuaded to switch. However, below are the advantages and

disadvantages of the four major mobile operating system, which will enable us draw and

consider carefully so that you can make a sensible decision on what mobile operating system

is referable.

3.2.1 iOS

PROS

 The latest version of Apple’s mobile OS offers the broadest choice of apps of all smartphones

and comes with plenty of Apple’s own apps.

 The likable Safari web browser supports multiple web pages.

 You can easily add multiple email accounts from Outlook to iCloud Mail, Yahoo, Google and

Exchange, then designate contacts as VIPs. You can view inboxes separately or show all

messages in a single inbox view. Mail is searchable by name or subject via a field at the top

of the screen.

 Integration with audio hardware is impressive via both Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay wireless

streaming.

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 Aside from the sheer number of apps in the App Store, one of the big advantages of iOS is

that Apple curates all apps, so rogue installations (and malware) are less likely than with

Android.

CONS

 The lack of support for Flash means some websites don’t work.

 Voice search via the Siri digital assistant is largely a gimmick and requires a Wi-Fi

connection to use.

 [Document attachments] can be saved locally only if you have certain apps installed which

support those file types.

3.2.2 ANDROID

PROS

 Google Ice Cream Sandwich (the version before the current Jelly Bean) covers all the basics,

with fancier media management options (Samsung. HTC and Sony) and prettier weather and

contact features (HTC in particular) being added on some handsets by manufacturers.

 One clear advantage is the well-developed Google Maps App. Strong mapping, 3D and

satellite views are accompanied by built-in voice-control and turn-by-turn navigation.

 Android also offers built-in voice search, NFC support, screen mirroring and contactless

content sharing. You can ‘throw’ photos and music to devices across the room and queue up

actions in a form of home automation.

 Google Now (which is now available for iOS devices, albeit in a slightly more limited form)

serves up useful information based on your past behaviour, but also on location and time of

the day.

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 CONS

 Mobile operators such as Vodafone and Orange pimp their handsets with preinstalled

entertainment extras and their own separate lists of recommended apps. In the past, these

extras have interfered when upgrading to new Android versions.

 iOS is stronger for kids’ games and educational content and for creative apps.

 Some users will be put off by Google’s apparent ability to know everything about their web

use, email accounts and personal details. Being logged in to the default Google Chrome web

browser won’t help.

3.2.3 WINDOWS PHONE 8

PROS

 Luxuriously large tiles offer access to People, Calls, Music & Videos, Xbox games, apps,

Calendar, Camera and Photo gallery. Swipe down to reveal Office 365, SkyDrive and Local

Scout – a location-based food, drink, business and entertainment finder.

 Helpfully, if you need to drive to a location, your Windows Phone 8 will dig out an

appropriate app from its Marketplace app store to assist or launch one you’ve installed.

 If Find My Phone is switched on you can browse the Marketplace on your laptop and have

apps install automatically over Wi-Fi – a slick option that allows you to browse app options

in comfort before buying.

 One of the highlights – if you happen to have young children – is Kid’s Corner. This is a

walled-off area of the OS where you can give your kids access to games, apps and other

things without the worry they’ll email your boss or delete your photos.

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 CONS

 Windows Phone 7 smartphones can’t be upgraded to the latest Windows Phone 8 OS.

 Although there are some great smartphones available running Windows Phone 8, it’s the lack

of choice in the app store that holds it back. … There are still many, many useful apps which

are missing: available only to Android or iOS users.

3.3.4 BLACKBERRY 10

PROS

 It’s a decent revamp, with an infinitely swipable screen that eventually takes you through all

the content on your phone. … It makes the few home screens on Android and iPhone

handsets seem a bit passé.

 BlackBerry’s new mantra is that everything is seamlessly connected and you don’t need to

dive in and out of separate apps to see what’s happening.

 Messaging support is unsurpassed, with amazingly fast text entry possible. Word suggestions

pop up as you type but without distracting you.

 Web browsing is very slick and, as with previous BB operating systems, media management

is very good.

 You can rename as well as enhance photos, then search for anything within your media

library.

 More than 70,000 apps launched with BlackBerry 10 OS in January, many of them high-

profile such as Kindle ebook reader, Skype and WhatsApp for free messaging and media

download tools to come. Business apps are well represented, while social media must-haves

Facebook, Twitter and the more corporate LinkedIn are all preinstalled.

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 CONS

 Navigation is still a little strange though.

 App reviews on BlackBerry World are understandably scant.

 NFC smart tags and voice controls ensure BlackBerry 10 covers most bases, but there’s no

stand-out feature to put this slick system ahead of its rivals.

 However, for many people, it’s the dearth of apps which make the Z10 or Q10 less appealing

than a new iPhone or Android handset.

3.3 CONSIDERATION AND CONCLUSION BEFORE MAKING

PURCHASE OF A MOBILE OS PHONE.

The Apple/iPhone model may be seen as the originator and leader. Symbian has for long time

been the dominating technology, however, it seems that in the conversion to the Smartphone

other operating systems like iPhone and Android are taking the lead. In the Smartphone

market, some of the operating systems like iPhone and Blackberry are tightly connected to

the business logic of the platforms, with realistic consumer bases. Hence, it is difficult, at

least in the near future, to see a winning operating system on the market. However, the

Google/Android initiative of developing an OS, which can run on all mobile devices, is

important and interesting to follow in the future.

Wooley (2010), according to author Iphone development can only officially be done on a

fairly recent MAC in Objective C while Compare this with Android development, which is

done in the Eclipse IDE which works on all of the major operating systems, using the Java

programming language. Objective C is for all practical purposes only used for Mac progress

whereas Java is one of the world’s most popular programming languages (DedaSys, 2001).

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 Porting difficulty:

Porting application in android is difficult. Porting will be first done in standard C and then it

has to be compatible with the functionality of iphone. Whereas porting application in android

is easy due to java language.

 Virtualization:

Apple is very restricted they will probably not ever be virtualized by anyone other than

themselves. Iphone does not support any virtualization functionality and the Android OS is

one of the many virtualized Operating Systems that support VMware’s Mobile Virtualization

Platform (VMware).

 Reliability:

According to users prospective, the apple is more reliable in terms of hardware and network

infrastructure. The Android OS is by its multitasking nature more susceptible to processes

incompatibility with each other and causing system insecurity.

 Security:

Security vies it is difficult to compare both operating Systems. The iPhone only allows one

user application to run at a time, which is more secure theoretically. Additionally, the

restriction to one user application at a time has prevented any antivirus programs from

working on the iPhone.

By comparison android’s multitasking is more susceptible to attacks. However, its security

model is also much better. Android was able to take advantage of the years of research in

locking down the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) in protecting their OS. In addition, the

multitasking nature of the Android OS has allowed antivirus programs to be written for it.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1 CONCLUSION

The discussion above concludes that android is more preferred than Symbian and windows

but it is more susceptible to security threats and viruses due to the permission of anonymous

applications submission. However, as user point of view the android OS is mostly preferred

OS than the other two OS. While talking about graphical user interface it is superb in IOS and

android is also in the same race. However, Symbian is lacking this facility. On the other hand,

talking about hardware support. IOS has a good hardware support. While android is still

working to make it better. In addition, Symbian is the best one for supporting hardware.

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