Mobile+Operating+Systems

=Mobile OS and Design Theories= (Apple and Android in particular) It is difficult to discuss mobile OS without actually experiencing the features that it brings to mobile technology. The videos below are used here to demonstrate some of the ease of use regarding each operating system and some of the enhancements they bring to the user experience

Over the past decade, [|smartphones] have taken the world by storm and recently, [|tablets] have entered into the arena as well. These mobile devices are having a significant impact on our lives and are in fact redefining the way we access information and communicate with others. This is due to not only the hardware but the specialized software that these devices run and most importantly, their [|operating systems]. In what follows, we will take an informative tour of modern mobile operating systems, their different types and usage across smartphone and tablet platforms. Just like a [|PC] can run different operating systems (like [|Windows], [|Linux] , BSD etc.) or different versions of the same operating system (like Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 etc.), most smartphones can also run different versions of the operating system they were made for and in exceptional cases, they might even be able to run operating systems they weren’t made for. In general however, an [|Android] phone will only run a version of Android while an iPhone will only run an [|iOS] version.

** - Apple iOS ** iOS is the operating system used by [|Apple] in all variants of iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. Apple's iOS design theory says: A great user interface follows human interface design principles that are based on the way people—users—think and work, not on the capabilities of the device. A user interface that is unattractive, convoluted, or illogical can make even a great application seem like a chore to use. But a beautiful, intuitive, compelling user interface enhances an application’s functionality and inspires a positive emotional attachment in users. Other factors contributing to the success of iOS included smooth graphics, consistent user interface elements across apps, built-in iPod application, iTunes integration, an App Store for buying and installing apps and perhaps most importantly, a multi-touch finger-friendly capacitive touch screen that eliminated the use of a stylus while offering finger based gestures such as pinch-to-zoom, twist-to-rotate etc.

media type="youtube" key="LLJIef-e-7g" height="315" width="560" align="center" When virtual objects and actions in an application are metaphors for objects and actions in the real world, users quickly grasp how to use the app. The classic example of a software metaphor is the folder: People put things in folders in the real world, so they immediately understand the idea of putting files into folders on a computer. The most appropriate metaphors suggest a usage or experience without enforcing the limitations of the real-world object or action on which they’re based. For example, people can fill software folders with much more content than would fit in a physical folder.iOS provides great scope for metaphors because it supports rich graphical images and gestures. People physically interact with realistic onscreen objects, in many cases operating them as if they were real-world objects. Metaphors in iOS include: In general, metaphors work best when they’re not stretched too far. For example, the usability of software folders would decrease if they had to be organized into a virtual filing cabinet People, not applications, should initiate and control actions. Although an application can suggest a course of action or warn about dangerous consequences, it’s usually a mistake for the app to take decision-making away from the user. The best apps find the correct balance between giving people the capabilities they need while helping them avoid dangerous outcomes.Users feel more in control of an app when behaviors and controls are familiar and predictable. And, when actions are simple and straightforward, users can easily understand and remember them. People expect to have ample opportunity to cancel an operation before it begins, and they expect to get a chance to confirm their intention to perform a potentially destructive action. Finally, people expect to be able to gracefully stop an operation that’s underway
 * Tapping Music playback controls
 * Dragging, flicking, or swiping objects in a game
 * Sliding On/Off switches
 * Flicking through pages of photos
 * Spinning picker wheels to make choices

information retrieved from: Apple

** - Android **

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Much of the user interface on devices using an Android operating system are similar to that of an iOS device, and Apple was first to market and a leader in the touch screen/smartphone industry. Many manufacturers have used/borrowed or otherwise copied many features found in iOS. Android Is an operating system that is open source, based on Linux, owned by Google, backed by all major mobile device manufacturers including HTC, Samsung, Motorola, Dell, Sony Ericsson, LG and countless more, and allows for endless customization. Such operating systems have a lot more customizations available in form of installable software that changes their look, feel and behavior, providing different entirely user experiences. Being open source, these operating systems also offer independent developers the opportunity to modify them from scratch and run them on devices not supported officially, or to bring an entirely new user experience to officially supported devices. ======

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Initially developed by Android Inc. and purchased by [|Google] in 2005, Android has become one of the leading smartphone OS in the world today. A unique feature about Android is the level to which it can be customized. With different launchers and widgets, the entire way in which a user interacts with the device can be changed. Because each Android device operates differently, there is no one particular way to demonstrate all the functions. However, this is an example of one device the Samsung Galaxy Tab ======

media type="youtube" key="D3pbWIa8xZc" height="315" width="560" align="center" As Android has taken many features from iOS as well as other earlier operating systems, there is not a lot to compare in terms of the actual functions. However, every device employs them differently or perhaps not at all. There is a decided lack of consistency among devices running Android OS and it is only as good as the manufacturer employing it. Because of this, there is a huge disconnect with the validity of the human centered design of this operating system.

information seen here accessed at: An Introduction To Modern Mobile Operating Systems

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