What is a mobile operating system?

A mobile operating system (OS) is software that allows smartphones, tablets and other
devices to run applications and programs.

A mobile OS provides an interface between the device's hardware components and its
software functions. It typically starts when a device powers on, presenting a screen
with icons or tiles that show information and provide application access. Mobile
operating systems also manage cellular and wireless network connectivity and phone
access.

Millions of people use mobile operating systems worldwide, powering a wide range
of devices, from smartphones to tablets and wearable technology. These systems offer
users a wide selection of features, including calling and messaging, internet and
cellular data connectivity, multitasking capabilities, interactive user interfaces and
access to a wide range of third-party applications and services to enhance the user
experience even further.

Types of mobile operating systems

There are several mobile operating systems on the market today, but two of the most
widely adopted are the iPhone's OS, Apple iOS, and Google's open source
OS, Google Android. These two mobile OSes take different approaches to the mobile
operating system and end-user experience.

Apple distributes the only devices that natively support iOS, and it takes a "walled
garden" approach, in which Apple regulates all mobile apps and services that can run
on iOS devices. Apple developed iOS to run on its own XNU kernel. Apple has also
released several device-specific mobile operating systems, such as watchOS for the
Apple Watch and iPadOS for iPad tablets.

THIS ARTICLE IS PART OF

What is unified endpoint management (UEM)? A complete guide

  Which also includes:

 7 key benefits of mobile device management for businesses

 Compare capabilities of Office 365 MDM vs. Intune

 How to successfully implement MDM for BYOD

Google takes an Open Source approach with Android, which allows mobile device
OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to customize the Android source code to fit
their devices. Android runs on the Linux kernel. Additionally, due to being open
source and globally popular, Android has become a staple in development for various
equipment such as kiosks, machinery, TV operating systems and more.

Other mobile operating systems are available, but their adoption rates are well below
those of iOS and Android and are mostly found outside of the U.S. These include
operating systems like KaiOS, Sailfish OS and Huawei's HarmonyOS.

Several mobile operating systems are no longer commonly supported. BlackBerry 10,
Nokia's Symbian, LG webOS -- formerly Palm webOS and HP webOS -- and
Microsoft's Windows Phone OS are all no longer supported.

Features of mobile operating systems

Mobile operating systems deliver various features to users. The distinguishing feature
that mobile operating systems offer is the ability to connect to the internet via the
smartphone's built-in modem and a wireless service provider such as Verizon or
AT&T. This is a major difference between mobile operating systems and most
desktop OSes, which rely on a Wi-Fi network or Ethernet connection to access the
internet, giving end users the ability to work remotely.

Mobile OSes offer a native web browser application, which allows users to search the
internet and visit webpages. Mobile operating systems also provide application stores,
which enable users to download and interface with mobile applications. Several
mobile operating systems also have native GPS (global positioning system)
applications that allow users to search for locations, follow step-by-step directions
and, in some cases, share locations with different devices. The GPS feature relies on
the mobile device's hardware and can't run without that support.

Other common mobile operating system features include native email applications
that can link work and personal email accounts, a calendar application to keep track of
tasks, meetings and events and a contacts library to organize and search for contact
information.

Mobile operating systems also include important enterprise management controls.

With devices now housing both user and corporate data, it is important that these
mobile OSes are secure, and data can be remotely managed and accessed if needed.
Apple and Google have developed standard APIs allowing MDM vendors to create
platforms for securing devices that have features such as the following:

 Pin code generation and encryption.

 Provisioning Wi-Fi and certificates.

 Enabling and disabling features and capabilities.

 Remote wipe and factory reset if a device is lost or stolen.

 Safeguards to ensure end-user privacy and security for BYOD programs.

Other common features include customizable home screens and app stores, access to
cloud storage solutions, advanced enterprise and corporate management security
options, support for multiple accounts, multimedia capabilities such as music and
video players, messaging and collaboration features, and more. Each system has
unique features to help users find what best suits their needs.

History and timeline of mobile operating systems

The history of mobile operating systems dates to the early and mid-1990s as
manufacturers evolved beyond embedded systems to new operating systems for their
PDAs, such as PenPoint OS by GO Corp. and Newton OS by Apple.
Windows Mobile was a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft, first
released in 2000 as Pocket PC, also labeled as Windows Mobile Classic and Windows
Mobile Professional. It allowed users to access many of the same features of their
desktop computers, such as Office Outlook and Internet Explorer. The platform
received updates until 2010, when Windows Phone 7 replaced it. Microsoft designed
Windows Phone 7's UI from scratch to make it more touch-friendly. The platform
eventually evolved into what's now known as Windows 10 Mobile, with its last
release in 2017.

BlackBerry OS 1.0 was released in 2002 and was followed by numerous iterations as
the company worked to improve and expand the platform. In 2008, BlackBerry
launched version 4.6, which featured a new browser and support for Wi-Fi-enabled
devices. Version 5.0 introduced an improved interface that made navigation easier and
other features like voice dialing and HTML email support. Version 6 offered flash
player compatibility and integration with third-party social networks like Twitter and
Facebook. The current version of the BlackBerry OS is 10, released in 2013, and no
longer supported as of Jan. 4, 2022.

In 2007, Apple launched its first mobile operating system with the release of its first
iPhone device. At release, however, Apple marketing stated the iPhone ran a mobile
version of OS X. The iPhone marked a significant user experience and functionality
shift from earlier platforms. With an easy-to-use interface, intuitive design and a full-
screen device with a software-based keyboard, it quickly became one of the market's
most popular mobile options.

In 2008, Apple released iPhone OS 2, which included the App Store for iPhone users,
allowing third-party developers to create apps for iPhones and other iOS devices. This
gave users access to a vast library of apps and games, further enhancing their user
experience. In 2010, Apple launched iOS 4, the first version called iOS. In 2015
Apple would also introduce a new OS, watchOS, as part of its comprehensive OS
platforms.
It remains one of the leading mobile operating systems on the market, with hundreds
of millions of daily users. With frequent updates and improvements made to the
platform each year, enhancing security, privacy and management controls, iOS will
likely remain at the forefront of mobile technology for some time.

In 2008, Google released Android as a competitor to iOS and other platforms. In the
early days of Android, devices were mostly made by HTC and Motorola, with other
companies joining later. Android has since become one of the most popular mobile
operating systems available, with a fully customizable OS allowing end users and
corporations to build custom experiences.

The first version of Android came out in 2008 as Android 1.0. This version had a
basic user interface and didn't include many common features today, such as Google
Play Store. Over the next few years, the platform continued to evolve, with Android 2
(Cupcake) released in 2009, followed by 3 (Honeycomb) in 2011, and 4 (Ice Cream
Sandwich) in 2012. Android 5.0 (Lollipop) was released in 2014 and introduced a
new design language called Material Design and WearOS. Android 14 includes an
enhanced user experience, stronger end-user privacy settings and enterprise
management controls.