Mobile OS Shootout: iPhone OS 3.0 Enters the Battle
Your attention is invited to the translation of a detailed review-comparison of 6 modern mobile platforms, published on Engadget on March 19, 2009.
As soon as Apple rolled out its preliminary version of iPhone OS 3.0, comparisons of existing mobile OSs (and those that are just on the way) broke out with a new force. In fact, the latest OS for iPhone has not yet come out, and even before the release is still far, we have only observed developer beta.
iPhone OS, Android, webOS, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, S60 ... If you are going to buy a new smartphone, the complexity of the choice grows exponentially, and iphone OS 3.0 does not simplify it at all. Fortunately for you, Engadget (and Habr) will help to cope with frightening uncertainty. Read an in-depth overview of the differences and similarities among modern mobile operating systems.
')
When it comes to operating systems, in general it turns out that you are only as good as your kernel. It is not easy to compare the cores of mobile operating systems - each has its own strengths and weaknesses, but we would be lying if it were not said that the foundation of the iPhone OS is very reliable. Since it is built on top of OS X, which, in turn, on top of Unix, it is quite complex and stable (even though Apple managed to slow down Unix with its UI).
Android is based on Linux, but its basic functionality is packaged in some quite vigorous variation of Java. S60 and Windows Mobile can be more mature, but this age is not always an advantage, and while RIM has done a tremendous job of improving the look and feel of the OS itself — based on the proprietary core — it still shows from time to time the ugly Java.
As you can see in the table below, all these devices fall into quite specific categories, although it is obvious that Apple is trying to make its way into the corporate sector (during the presentation of the latest OS, Apple demonstrated an attempt to satisfy the users' business). Of course, we do not expect that BlackBerry OS and Windows Mobile will soon leave this sector.
Table 1. Basic functionality
UPD: translation supplemented about Android in connection with the wishes in the comments ( italikom )
Apple impressed everyone with a lot of ideas implemented in the iPhone. Gestures, inertial lists, many finger-oriented switches and buttons, all this gives great pleasure when using an iPhone. Despite the fact that Android borrows some of these ideas, in some places its rough interface still falls short of the iPhone (although Cupcake certainly brings some nice improvements). Windows Mobile and BlackBerry OS have changed slightly over time, but still suffer from inherent flaws, which are evident from the first instant of use (especially the implementation of BlackBerry Storm 4.7). Well, the S60 still needs a lot of time, until it finally starts up at an acceptable speed. At the moment, the only worthy competitor in the context of the user interface, it seems, Palm Pre. It uses a lot of innovations brought by Apple, and also adds a couple of new tricks - a “deck” of applications and more emphasis on gestures.
Capacitive touchscreen is a key innovation used in modern devices. It allows you to more easily control the device with your fingers, improves the clarity of the screen, and also provides a real multi-touch, however, due to the rejection of the use of the stylus. iPhone OS, webOS and Android have already taken advantage of this technology, but Windows Mobile and S60 are not there yet, largely due to the fact that these systems use too small interface elements that are difficult to hit with a finger. To maintain their positions, they will have to work hard on this in the next versions. Of course, all these platforms (except webOS) have a virtual keyboard - a technology designed mainly for resistive screens, but so far none of them have reached the level of convenience that Apple makes us happy.
Nevertheless, despite the good positions occupied by Apple and Palm, when it comes to customization, everything is deaf. Font size change is taboo on iPhone. So if you need full control over your device, Windows Mobile or BlackBerry is your choice. Customization is not only allowed there, it is encouraged. In fact, Microsoft is practically imposing its flexibility, calling it features.
Table 2. User Interface
So, this is exactly the category where operating systems start to play with colors. Despite the fact that Apple is finally adding, although with a delay, the promised push notifications to its devices, it is still far behind in quite important points. First, it is multitasking. As in the old Palm OS, Apple got stuck in the past with their open-close-open way to switch tasks. This is explained by battery saving. [Note: there is still limited multitasking in the iPhone - the phone always rings, and the music always plays in the background] All other operating systems support true multitasking - many applications can be launched and work in the background. Yes, push notifications are good, of course, but this feature is unlikely to surpass the ability to open a running inactive application, especially if you are loading a web page or using a map.
Palm introduced a useful new product called Synergy, which suggests the possibility of combining contacts and calendars from different sources, while on other platforms basically everything is as before (if you dispense with the involvement of third-party developments). Apple has delivered a new functionality in the calendar - in particular, CalDAV support, but still does not offer anything revolutionary for working with a multitude of contacts. However, we’ll add Apple points for finally taking pity and allowing users to share contacts.
The big problem that remained in the third version of the iPhone OS is disgusting, intrusive notifications. Where a convenient “tray” pops up in Android and webOS, the iPhone regularly layers one window onto another, leaving users with ugly porridge from the pop-up windows. Guys, you removed all this nonsense from your web browser, but why did you decide that this is what people want in the phone? Even the old Windows Mobile and BlackBerry OS do it better - using a mixture of pop-up windows and background notifications. It is puzzling when a company that is literally obsessed with usability, hasn’t done anything with it in three iterations of their operating system.
However, Apple, of course, heeded the many requests of users. Support for stereo-bluetooth, MMS, global search by phone, support for landscape mode in system applications and much more. The only sad thing is that all these innovations only allowed to catch up with other competitors. This, of course, can be called a victory, but still they are lazy, if we talk about the long term.
And do not even ask me to start about copy / paste.
Table 3. Basic functionality
UPD: translation supplemented about Android in connection with the wishes in the comments ( italikom )
Here Apple sparkles in all its glory. Despite the fact that the developer platforms for Windows Mobile and S60 are impressive, no one before Apple brought the development of mobile applications to that level. We can unconditionally say that the company has revolutionized the way that business is conducted for developers and has destroyed dozens of barriers to entry into the process. No company has done development for mobile devices and, in fact, making a profit is so easy and convenient. The new version of iPhone OS also continues this tradition - a thousand new APIs and mechanisms for charging money in the process of running applications (for example, games).
Of course, there are negative aspects, and Apple received a lot of criticism for the unfairness of the product approval process for getting into the AppStore. While it is declared that 96% of applications are approved, the remaining 4%, which did not get there, really deprive end-users of useful products. For example, you will never see Opera or Firefox on an iPhone.
However, all other companies are now trying to keep up with Apple, announcing the emergence of analogues AppStore for their platforms in the near future. At the moment, no one even came close to the success of Apple, but no one was smartly tied to an already existing channel as the iTunes Store, except for the Android Market - they simply had no opportunity to mark their users. Only time will tell whether companies like Palm, Google and (khe-khe) Microsoft can keep up with Apple and go nostril with it.
Table 4. Third-party development
Ultimately, there are loyalty and preferences, so no graphics will help you make a choice. We will not go so far as to say that this is just a matter of choice - we believe that newer and younger operating systems offer much more than the “old men” at the current moment (of course, if you don’t need something like BES - BlackBerry Enterprise Server). In particular, recent improvements that Apple has announced solve many problems for which a lot of criticism was received, and also make the advantages of Android or webOS not so obvious. Yes, you will not find the freedom of open source, as in Android, and a full set of innovations, as in webOS (which would be nice to test in real conditions).
Anyway, the promotion of devices created by Apple, stimulated the beginning of the space race of smartphones, and the end users are only at hand.
Introduction
As soon as Apple rolled out its preliminary version of iPhone OS 3.0, comparisons of existing mobile OSs (and those that are just on the way) broke out with a new force. In fact, the latest OS for iPhone has not yet come out, and even before the release is still far, we have only observed developer beta.
iPhone OS, Android, webOS, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, S60 ... If you are going to buy a new smartphone, the complexity of the choice grows exponentially, and iphone OS 3.0 does not simplify it at all. Fortunately for you, Engadget (and Habr) will help to cope with frightening uncertainty. Read an in-depth overview of the differences and similarities among modern mobile operating systems.
')
Basic functionality
When it comes to operating systems, in general it turns out that you are only as good as your kernel. It is not easy to compare the cores of mobile operating systems - each has its own strengths and weaknesses, but we would be lying if it were not said that the foundation of the iPhone OS is very reliable. Since it is built on top of OS X, which, in turn, on top of Unix, it is quite complex and stable (even though Apple managed to slow down Unix with its UI).
Android is based on Linux, but its basic functionality is packaged in some quite vigorous variation of Java. S60 and Windows Mobile can be more mature, but this age is not always an advantage, and while RIM has done a tremendous job of improving the look and feel of the OS itself — based on the proprietary core — it still shows from time to time the ugly Java.
As you can see in the table below, all these devices fall into quite specific categories, although it is obvious that Apple is trying to make its way into the corporate sector (during the presentation of the latest OS, Apple demonstrated an attempt to satisfy the users' business). Of course, we do not expect that BlackBerry OS and Windows Mobile will soon leave this sector.
Table 1. Basic functionality
 Android Cupcake |  BlackBerry OS 4.7 |  iPhone OS 3.0 |  S60 5th edition |  Palm webOS |  Windows Mobile 6.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core type | Linux | Proprietary | OS X | Symbian | Linux | Windows CE |
| Platform Adaptability | Great | Good | Poor | Great | Great | Great |
| Platform Age | Young | Mature | Teenager | Mature | Young | Mature |
| Corporate Sector Support | Exchange | Blackberry | Exchange | Exchange, Domino, Blackberry | Exchange | Exchange, Domino, Blackberry |
| Wireless technology | GSM, WiFi | GSM, CDMA, WiFi | GSM, WiFi | GSM, WiFi | GSM, CDMA, WiFi | GSM, CDMA, WiFi |
UPD: translation supplemented about Android in connection with the wishes in the comments ( italikom )
User interface
Apple impressed everyone with a lot of ideas implemented in the iPhone. Gestures, inertial lists, many finger-oriented switches and buttons, all this gives great pleasure when using an iPhone. Despite the fact that Android borrows some of these ideas, in some places its rough interface still falls short of the iPhone (although Cupcake certainly brings some nice improvements). Windows Mobile and BlackBerry OS have changed slightly over time, but still suffer from inherent flaws, which are evident from the first instant of use (especially the implementation of BlackBerry Storm 4.7). Well, the S60 still needs a lot of time, until it finally starts up at an acceptable speed. At the moment, the only worthy competitor in the context of the user interface, it seems, Palm Pre. It uses a lot of innovations brought by Apple, and also adds a couple of new tricks - a “deck” of applications and more emphasis on gestures.
Capacitive touchscreen is a key innovation used in modern devices. It allows you to more easily control the device with your fingers, improves the clarity of the screen, and also provides a real multi-touch, however, due to the rejection of the use of the stylus. iPhone OS, webOS and Android have already taken advantage of this technology, but Windows Mobile and S60 are not there yet, largely due to the fact that these systems use too small interface elements that are difficult to hit with a finger. To maintain their positions, they will have to work hard on this in the next versions. Of course, all these platforms (except webOS) have a virtual keyboard - a technology designed mainly for resistive screens, but so far none of them have reached the level of convenience that Apple makes us happy.
Nevertheless, despite the good positions occupied by Apple and Palm, when it comes to customization, everything is deaf. Font size change is taboo on iPhone. So if you need full control over your device, Windows Mobile or BlackBerry is your choice. Customization is not only allowed there, it is encouraged. In fact, Microsoft is practically imposing its flexibility, calling it features.
Table 2. User Interface
| Android Cupcake | BlackBerry OS 4.7 | iPhone OS 3.0 | S60 5th edition | Palm webOS | Windows Mobile 6.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen gestures | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Limited |
| Screen technology | Capacitive | Capacitive | Capacitive | Resistive / Capacitive | Capacitive | Resistive |
| Multitouch | Informal | Yes | Yes | Not | Yes | Not |
| Skins for UI | Yes | Yes | Not | Yes | Not | Yes |
| Input methods | Virtual keyboard, physical keyboard | Virtual keyboard | Virtual keyboard | Virtual keyboard, T9, character recognition, physical keyboard | Physical keyboard | Virtual keyboard, character recognition, physical keyboard |
Basic functionality
So, this is exactly the category where operating systems start to play with colors. Despite the fact that Apple is finally adding, although with a delay, the promised push notifications to its devices, it is still far behind in quite important points. First, it is multitasking. As in the old Palm OS, Apple got stuck in the past with their open-close-open way to switch tasks. This is explained by battery saving. [Note: there is still limited multitasking in the iPhone - the phone always rings, and the music always plays in the background] All other operating systems support true multitasking - many applications can be launched and work in the background. Yes, push notifications are good, of course, but this feature is unlikely to surpass the ability to open a running inactive application, especially if you are loading a web page or using a map.
Palm introduced a useful new product called Synergy, which suggests the possibility of combining contacts and calendars from different sources, while on other platforms basically everything is as before (if you dispense with the involvement of third-party developments). Apple has delivered a new functionality in the calendar - in particular, CalDAV support, but still does not offer anything revolutionary for working with a multitude of contacts. However, we’ll add Apple points for finally taking pity and allowing users to share contacts.
The big problem that remained in the third version of the iPhone OS is disgusting, intrusive notifications. Where a convenient “tray” pops up in Android and webOS, the iPhone regularly layers one window onto another, leaving users with ugly porridge from the pop-up windows. Guys, you removed all this nonsense from your web browser, but why did you decide that this is what people want in the phone? Even the old Windows Mobile and BlackBerry OS do it better - using a mixture of pop-up windows and background notifications. It is puzzling when a company that is literally obsessed with usability, hasn’t done anything with it in three iterations of their operating system.
However, Apple, of course, heeded the many requests of users. Support for stereo-bluetooth, MMS, global search by phone, support for landscape mode in system applications and much more. The only sad thing is that all these innovations only allowed to catch up with other competitors. This, of course, can be called a victory, but still they are lazy, if we talk about the long term.
And do not even ask me to start about copy / paste.
Table 3. Basic functionality
| Android Cupcake | BlackBerry OS 4.7 | iPhone OS 3.0 | S60 5th edition | Palm webOS | Windows Mobile 6.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Trey | Pop-up, background | Pop up | Pop up | Trey | Trey Pop Up |
| Contact Management / Integration | Google, Exchange, vCard from a flash drive | BES, BIS | Exchange, ActiveSync, Mac OS Address Book | Exchange, Domino, BlackBerry, iSync | Synergy | Exchange, Domino, BlackBerry, ActiveSync |
| Multitasking | Yes | Yes | Not | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copy / Paste | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Media Support / Ecosystem | Amazon | iTunes without DRM | iTunes | Ovi | Amazon | Windows Media Player / No |
| Global search | Not | Not | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not |
| Firmware upgrade | By air, by cable, through a USB flash drive | By air, by cable | By cable | By air, by cable | Unknown | By air, by cable |
| Browser engine | Webkit | Proprietary | Webkit | Webkit | Webkit | Internet Explorer |
| Cable connection | Unofficial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth stereo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
UPD: translation supplemented about Android in connection with the wishes in the comments ( italikom )
Third-party development
Here Apple sparkles in all its glory. Despite the fact that the developer platforms for Windows Mobile and S60 are impressive, no one before Apple brought the development of mobile applications to that level. We can unconditionally say that the company has revolutionized the way that business is conducted for developers and has destroyed dozens of barriers to entry into the process. No company has done development for mobile devices and, in fact, making a profit is so easy and convenient. The new version of iPhone OS also continues this tradition - a thousand new APIs and mechanisms for charging money in the process of running applications (for example, games).
Of course, there are negative aspects, and Apple received a lot of criticism for the unfairness of the product approval process for getting into the AppStore. While it is declared that 96% of applications are approved, the remaining 4%, which did not get there, really deprive end-users of useful products. For example, you will never see Opera or Firefox on an iPhone.
However, all other companies are now trying to keep up with Apple, announcing the emergence of analogues AppStore for their platforms in the near future. At the moment, no one even came close to the success of Apple, but no one was smartly tied to an already existing channel as the iTunes Store, except for the Android Market - they simply had no opportunity to mark their users. Only time will tell whether companies like Palm, Google and (khe-khe) Microsoft can keep up with Apple and go nostril with it.
Table 4. Third-party development
| Android Cupcake | BlackBerry OS 4.7 | iPhone OS 3.0 | S60 5th edition | Palm webOS | Windows Mobile 6.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Availability SDK / Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Official App Store | Yes | Soon | Yes | Soon | Yes | Yes |
| Application Availability | Average | Average | High | Average | Low | High |
| Native apps | Not | Not | Yes | Yes | Not | Yes |
| Manage applications on the device | Great | Good | Great | Good | Great | Good |
Conclusion
Ultimately, there are loyalty and preferences, so no graphics will help you make a choice. We will not go so far as to say that this is just a matter of choice - we believe that newer and younger operating systems offer much more than the “old men” at the current moment (of course, if you don’t need something like BES - BlackBerry Enterprise Server). In particular, recent improvements that Apple has announced solve many problems for which a lot of criticism was received, and also make the advantages of Android or webOS not so obvious. Yes, you will not find the freedom of open source, as in Android, and a full set of innovations, as in webOS (which would be nice to test in real conditions).
Anyway, the promotion of devices created by Apple, stimulated the beginning of the space race of smartphones, and the end users are only at hand.
Galleries
 iPhone OS 3.0 |  Windows Mobile 6.5 |  Palm pre |
 Android Cupcake |  BlackBerry OS 4.7 |  S60 5th edition |
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/55234/
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