Mobile OS: OS is the King

When Google recently announced its Android training in application developmenta hands-on Android course designed to provide essential skills and experience with developing applications on Android mobile platform last weekthe industry sat up and it garnered the interest of the mobile apps developer community and the critical roles they play. It also signifies a shift happening in the Mobile OS space and how each vendor is gunning for more apps and OS market share. The Android training by Google is an attempt to gain more share and eat into Apple's strong hold by handholding with developers and making them skilled to come out with more robust and innovative Android apps. This course is best suited for Java developers, who are seeking a fast track to the Android API and best practices. Throughout the course, the students develop a real-life application, which can serve as a basis for their future Android projects.

The OS Edge

A recent Nielsen report stated that in the US Android made it to the top spot with 39% market share, while Apple's iOS made it to the second spot with 28% share, and RIM's BlackBerry garnered 28% and made it to the third spot. Meanwhile, Windows Phone 7 and HPs WebOS market shares still hover in single digit. Clearly, the growing clout of Android phones indicate the fact that it is the OS and its apps ecosystem that determine the success of the smartphones; and it is not just the form factor, which used to be the sole criteria that determined the success of a smartphone in the past. Analysts forecast that for a smartphone to succeed, the vendors who are able to foster a seamless access to innovative apps will be the ultimate winner. Let's look at the initiatives of leading vendors on the mobile OS and the apps side of things in the recent times.

Apple iOS 5

With the launch of iPhone 4S, Apple's newest operating system iOS 5 saw the light of the day. Apple terms iOS 5 as the world's most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features. So, is iOS 5 anything different from Apple's previous OS? The answer lies in Apple offering more user-centric functionalities. For instance, the iOS 5 has added features like notification center, which makes for an innovative way in managing notifications and another feature called the iMessage gives users the power to easily send text messages, photos, and videos between devices running iOS 5.

Pushing the innovation envelope further, as part of iPhone 4S, Apple for the first time has launched Sirian intelligent assistant that helps users get things done by just by asking. Apple in a release said that Siri understands the context, thus allowing users to speak naturally when they ask questions. For instance, if you ask: 'Will I need an umbrella this weekend?', it understands you are looking for a weather forecast. Siri is also smart about using the personal information you allow it to access, for example, if you tell Siri: 'Remind me to call Mom when I get home', it can find 'Mom' in your address book; or ask Siri 'What's the traffic like around here?' and it can figure out where 'here' is based on your current location. Siri helps users make calls, send text messages or email, schedule meetings and reminders, make notes, search the internet, find local businesses, get directions, and more. Also, users can get answers, find facts, and even perform complex calculations just by asking.

Another new feature Apple has added along with iOS 5 is the iCloud, which is nothing but a set of free cloud services, including iTunes, Photo Stream, and Documents, that work seamlessly with the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC to automatically and wirelessly store your content in iCloud and push it to all your devices. When content changes on one device, all your other devices are updated automatically and wirelessly. Clearly, with iPhone 4S and iOS 5, Apple has raised the functionality, usability, and innovation bar.

Android Ice Cream Sandwich or Android 4.0

While Android 3.0 Honeycomb was a dedicated tablet OS and on the Mobile OS side Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the current version has got an update. The new version is dubbed as Ice Cream Sandwich. Google sources say that this version of Android is a significant leap from its previous versions and it offers a totally different look and feel as compared to the previous version of Android. The latest version was already launched by Samsung in its Galaxy Nexus phone. Going by the reviews of the new Android version, which has been called as a fusion between its Gingerbread and Honeycomb version, offers a rich user interface and offers better speed and performance. Moreover, the new version has replaced the physical buttons with that of virtual ones and has enhanced features like an easier to use drag-and-drop functionality, optimal muiti-touch/gesture features, and ability to seamlessly integrate touch with various apps running and host of other ones makes it the much desired update for all Android phones. Google has indicated that any mobile hardware supporting Android Gingerbread would be able to run Ice Cream Sandwich, but it is to be seen what kind of an update path major vendors like HTC and Samsung will give for its users for their pre-existing device portfolio running Gingerbread.

BlackBerry 10

RIM is expected to shift its entire mobile platform based on its QNX operating system, and it is expected to manifest as BlackBerry 10. RIM is betting hard on its QNX based OS for its smartphones and hopes to halt its rapid slide in market share to Google and Apple. Interestingly, BlackBerry PlayBook is based on its QNX platform and RIM intends to bring that kind of an interface on a mobile form factor. But BlackBerry 10 as per RIM's earlier indication had a timeline of 2011 end, but recent reports suggest that it will be launched only in the Q1FY12. With Android 4.0 and iOS 5 already launched, the new BB version has to be really pathbreaking to capture the imagination of the users. Also, analysts hope BB 10 devices sport a dual core processor as the in the last quarter the industry has shifted to dual core processors.

Windows Phone 7.5

Despite being an old-timer, Windows Mobile did miss the boom bus with Windows 6 versions. But in the last one year, Microsoft has taken on to the Mobile OS space very aggressively and its latest version is Windows 7.5 codenamed Mango. Microsoft has designed Windows Phone around one simple concept: People belong at the center of the phone experience.

Outlook

As we look at this point in time, the Mobile OS landscape is dominated by Google, Apple, and RIM. Over 2012, one need to see how Windows will stack up with these vendors; and with Windows Phone 8 on the anvil, makes the market dynamics more interesting. Moreover, the strategies and successes of RIM with its BlackBerry 10 need to be seen. At the same time, the hardware ecosystem is also leaping. Today, all the new smartphone launches from vendors like Samsung sports a dual core processor and in tandem vendors are stretching the functionality of the OS that can do justice and leverage the hardware ecosystem. As we look ahead, during 2012 one will see more innovation and choice for the users, as vendors battle it out in bringing the best features in their mobile operating systems.