Characteristics Of A Smartphone Operating System Computer Science Essay

Characteristics Of A Smart rally operational System Computer Science EssayIn todays adult male of computerization, you must form heard a lot ab expose programming. Programming refers to a process which carries tabu a develop of instructions to do a particular task. Presently, programming is extended beyond computers to discordant application corpses, one such application placement is Communication Devices, which c overs tele skirt exchanges like PBX (Private Branch eXchange), ISDN (Integrated run Digital Network), Networking Devices like switches, router and terminal arts like ISDN phone, modems, rambling phones, and so on. Programming these blinds is quite challenging in their own way as they involve challenging requirements like real time processing, multi- plait handling, enormous features, gracious GUI, and so on. We in this whole have chosen smartphone a expeditious phone variant as an example to describe the programming aspects associated with its functioning.In this unit, we will discuss as to what a Smartphone is and besides its features that has do it so popular. We will besides discuss approximately the Smartphone in operation(p) musical arrangements. You will find the necessity for an direct establishment in Smartphones and the characteristics that these operational clays contain. You merchantman easily relate many of the concepts to the runny phone that you or your acquaintances might be victimisation.Mobile phone engagement has increased manifold over the past decade. ,A mobile phone (also called as cellphoneular phone, cell phone or hand phone) is an electronic crook which facilitates bipartisan tele talks over a cellular network of base stations, or cell sites. A general smorgasbord of mobile phones found on features argon One is Feature phones, or low end phones, which assert basic services like making and receiving calls, tuner (FM) services, and sending or receiving Short Message go (SMS). The other(a) i s Smart phones, which offer more advanced technology, like connection to the World Wide sack up (www), sending Multimedia Message Services (MMS), admission feeing Bluetooth and infr bed applications, playing audio and video files, providing GPS functions etc.. Bluetooth is a receiving set technology go ford to exchange data by connecting devices within short distance. Infrared is a tuner technology customd to exchange data by connecting two electronic devices.A Smartphone is a unparalleled invention it is a mobile phone with more offerings that fits in your pocket and lets you communicate from anywhere in the world. The primary difference between mobile phones and Smartphones is that the Smartphones have complete in operation(p) computer parcel program, which provides a standardized larboard and platform for application developers.Smartphones are like laptops or miniature computers, and sens perform a potpourri of functions. As the Smartphones have run(a) software a nd a standard interface, the exploiters have the capacity to add applications and move on features and services on their mobile phones.Let us see how Smartphones evolved. Today, with technological advancement, the Personal Computer (PC) is a part of everyday life as a productivity, entertainment, and intercourse device. Like laptops the Personal Digital patron (personal organiser) were introduced as mobile computing devices with less memory capacity. These PDAs, also cognise as hold computers or palmtops, are electronic organizer or planner that give the axe easily voice any education with the computer. It is basically a high end organizer phone.The concept of Smartphone is obtained from the PDAs and mobile phones. Initially, PDAs were developed to find mesh while mobile phones were meant to receive calls, send messages, etc, Then the Smartphone was invented which had the ability to fit more functionality into a exquisiteer device. Smartphones are a crew of the funct ionalities of mobile phone as well as the features of PDA.Like well-nigh inventions, Smartphones are built on a chain of prior technological advancements of semiconductor miniaturization, battery technology, introduction devices, agitate panels, and the invention of telephone and piano tuner technology. We will be touching upon the features of Smartphone in detail in the subsequent sections.Self Assessment QuestionsA mobile phone is an electronic device which facilitates two-way telecommunications over a _____________ of base stations, or cell sites.Smartphones offer basic services like making and receiving calls. (True/False)?PDA stands for __________________.Smartphone FeaturesSmartphone is a junto of both mobile phone and handheld computer, into a superstar device. Smartphone is a single device which allows users to store information (for example, e-mail) and install programs, along with the use as a mobile phone. We can say that a Smartphone is a mobile phone with some PDA functions comprised into the device or vice versa.The features offered by the Smartphones are the nearly significant factor that has do it so prominent in the present day. Let us now discuss these featuresSoftware Smartphones are operated with the help of software to have it off basic functions like address book, messaging, and searching stored data. The software in a Smartphone has advanced features that allow you to bring in and edit MS Office documents and download applications. Most of the Smartphones living full featured e-mail capabilities with the functionality of a complete Personal Organizer with book or binder, containing a calendar, address book, scheduler, and other such functions. in operation(p) musical arrangement Smartphones write outs with an operational(a)(a) system that supports unhomogeneous applications. It also helps to maintain the software and hardware apply in these phones. The Symbian, Windows mobile, and android are some examples of the run(a ) systems used in Smartphones.Managing calls The user can manage two-fold calls (conference calls) and concurrent calls on the Smartphone with the help of User Interface (UI). Apart from changing the ring tones establish on callers or groups, the cell phone allows you to record the calls in digital format and save them to your computer.Access to net income With the introduction of Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Smartphone facilitates its users to access Internet at higher speed using the 3G technology (It is a three generation radio technology that facilitates advanced multimedia access, global roaming, and high speed communication). Thereby the device helps you to browse your favourite meshworksites, send and receive emails, and download games faster as you would do it on your ground computers. It also facilitates users to automatically reformat the HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) pages for display on small screen. HTML is a markup lecture that is used to structure text, graph ics, and sounds in a web page by the use of various tags.The device can also access Web2.0 content. Web 2.0 is related to web applications that provide interoperability, information share, and user cordial designAdvance GPS features The GPS (Global Positioning System) feature present in the Smartphone helps users to get driving directions, point of interest in the locality, or search businesses by using the gadget. The Smartphone users can obtain current location by connecting to portable GPS receiver or integrating a GPS receiver to the device.QWERTY keyboard With a Smartphone, you can get a keyboard like the one that you use with your computer. You can use a physical keyboard to type on or a touch screen like an iPhone which is operated by software. An iPhone is a smartphone (product of Apple) which provides all the features of a smartphone such as, network access, touch controls, and so on.Multimedia features Smartphones are also featured with built-in digital camera and a so und recorder. Apart from taking still pictures, you can also record video clips. These features allow you to share the Multi Media Messages (MMS) with other Smartphones via email, Bluetooth or infrared with or without the help of additional software.Touch Screen A common PDA has a touch screen, which is an electronic visual display or input device for entrance data. These days most of the Smartphones have this feature allowing the user to easily select various features of the phone. The best stern where you can experience the usage of the touch screen is in the ATMs (Automated Teller Machine), as most of the ATMs have a touch screen. ATM is a telecommunication device that provides pecuniary assistance to the clients of a financial instauration. ATM is also known as a Cashpoint..An automated teller machine (ATM), also known as automatic banking machine (ABM), Cash Machine, or Cashpoint, is a computerised telecommunications device that provides the clients of a financial institut ion with access to financial transactions in a public space without the need for a cashier, serviceman clerk or bank teller.Wireless Connectivity Many Smartphones come with Wireless Wide-Area Networks. Latest Smartphones have Bluetooth wireless connectivity. It can be used to connect keyboards, headsets, GPS and many other accessories. Superior PDAs have Wi-Fi or wireless local area network (Wireless Local-Area Networks) connectivity, which can be used to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots or wireless networks.Messages The Smartphone offers installing to send and receive non only text messages but also multi media messages. It facilitates to send and receive messages by e-mails. It even provides access to the web based messaging services such as, Yahoo messenger.Resolution and screen size The Smartphone offers a high resolution screen and a big screen size that helps you to acquire out different functions easily. rough Smartphones provide touch screen facility for better view and easy functioning of the device.Memory This is an consequential feature as it is very essential to support various features such as operating system or screen resolution. As a user, memory means the flash memory storage morsel where you can store all files and applications. The RAM (Random Access Memory) is the physical location in the chip where the operating system and other applications run. The RAM size for a Smartphone can be in the order of 10MB to 20MB. as well as the Ram, users can add flash memory for storing their data like contact details, songs, video recording etc. Flash Memory in a Smartphone is either inbuilt or can be installed as an add-on. The memory size of the Smartphone depends upon the manufacturer. For example, Apple iPhone 3GS Smartphone has a flash memory of 16GB that can be extendable up to 32GB.Synchronization facility An important function of Smartphones is, synchronizing data with a computer. Most of the Smartphones come with the facility to synchronize to a PC. This feature allows maintaining the latest contact information stored on software like Microsoft Out calculate.Thus, we can say that in contrast to the regular cell phone, a Smartphone offers advanced features as it combines the features of a cell phone and a PDA.Self Assessment QuestionsA Smartphone is a combination of both ___________ and handheld computers into a single device.GPS stands for _____________.An important function of Smartphone is _______________ data with a PC.Activity 1Examine few Smartphones and contemplate the various features it provides.Mobile/Smartphone Operating SystemAs you know that operating system is one of the important features of a mobile/Smartphone, let us now illustrate this feature..In general an Operating System(OS) refers to a program that helps to run various other programs on a computer. It also manages the software and hardware of the system.The most important software in any Smartphone is its operating system. It is also referred as mob ile platform.Need for mobile operating systemThe mobile operating system conditions mobile devices like mobile phones, Smartphones, PDAs, and Tablet PCs (a wireless PC equipped with a touch screen and a digital pen). It manages the mobile device hardware, memory, and software resources. It controls the functioning, and the capabilities of a mobile device. The feature set, security, reliability, and the ease of use are not the only criteria that make a mobile platform good or bad, but also the flexibility of the mobile platform to integrate with diverse set of devices and software systems.A mobile operating system controls everything from handling the input obtained from touch screen, keyboard, or some external device to controlling the memory and the overall functioning of the device. It also manages the communication and the interplay between the mobile device and other compatible hardware such as, computers, televisions, or printers.Operating system manages and controls all the f eatures and functionalities of the mobile device. Therefore, a Smartphone is a combination of the hardware and the operating system, which determines what capabilities it can or cannot support.As the operating system manages the hardware and software resources of Smartphones, it is responsible for determining the functions and features forthcoming on the device. Smartphone is a combination of mobile technology that is the mobile phone and PDA, which are based on the computer applicationsAll Smartphones are embedded with an operating system which enables the operation of software applications. In addition to the principle features like phone calls and messaging, you can send e-mails, manage your personal and office documents, and visit websites for searching information, play online games, and read news. It also allows sharing and downloading of documents and applications.If a Smartphone is to allow threefold applications to run simultaneously, it must have an operating system that facilitates the sharing of processing and memory resources among multiple applications. Additionally, the operating system must allow users to switch between the active voice applications.Characteristics of a smartphone operating systemEven though the functionality of an operating system used in computers and Smartphones are same, certain characteristics of a Smartphone operating system are different from the ones used in computers. The characteristics that a Smartphone operating system should comprise are as followsResource- limit hardware Smartphones should be able to support various applications. It should also provide facility to access Internet. alone to meet these requirements, Smartphones have limited memory and processing power when compared to the desktop PCs and Laptops. Thus, the operating system must be careful in using hardware resources curiously memory. It should not only hold less memory but also consist of architecture that provides support for applications to l imit their use of memory. It should also have the capability to handle low-memory situations gracefully.Robustness A user expects a mobile operating system to be robust. This means it should be strong and unlikely to fail or crash. The device must not only be designed to avoid crash, but must also provide support functions and policies. These support functions and policies allow the device to handle application errors and out-of-memory situations, without hampering the functionalities of the Smartphone.User interface for limited user hardware The operating system should implement a user interface environment that is competent and intuitive to use, despite the smaller screen and limited user input capabilities of the Smartphone. Furthermore, the screen sizes and input capabilities sidetrack between different models of Smartphones, so the User Interface architecture should be flexible, such that it can be customized for the various user interface objects.Library support Smartphone o perating systems should contain middleware libraries and frameworks with APIs that implement and abstractionist the functionality of the features of the Smartphone. The purpose is to provide functional consistency and to ease the software development. Middleware library and framework is a software layer that acts as a mediatory between the application and the systems operating system. The middleware framework consists of a set of components that connects the application with the underlying OS. Examples of Smartphone middleware include libraries and frameworks for email, SMS, MMS, Bluetooth, cryptography, multimedia, User Interface features, and GSM or GPRS, which provide more support for Smartphone features. prevalent mobile operating systemsSome of the popular mobile operating systems areSymbianAndroidBlackBerry Operating SystemWindows mobileJava enabledGarnet Operating SystemLinuxSymbian Symbian operating system is the most popular operating system used in most Smartphones and mo bile phones today. The heritage of Symbian OS begins with some of the first handheld devices. This operating system began its existence in 1988 as SIBO (an acronym for 16-bit organizer). SIBO ran on computers developed by Psion Computers, which developed operating system to run on small footprint devices. It was designed with specific criteria that can be characterized by event-driven communications, using client-server relationships and stack-based configurations.Client-server describes the relation between two computer programs. The client program sends a service pass to the server program. The server program fulfils the request.The Symbian operating system is developed using C++ programming language.The Symbian operating system is a mobile operating system that was specially built to run on a Smartphone platform. It fits in the memory of a mobile phone because of its compatibility. It is considered as a full fledged operating system.Symbian operating system supports multitasking and multithreading. Many processes can run concurrently, they can communicate with each other and utilize multiple threads that run internal to each process. It facilitates good support for graphics and data management. This operating system has a file system that is compatible with Microsoft Windows operating system. It even supports other file system implementations through a plug-in interface. It uses TCP/IP networking as well as several other communication interfaces, such as serial, infrared and Bluetooth. For example, Nokias bestseller Smartphone 6600 was developed using the Symbian operating system.Android Android is an operating system for mobile devices that is developed by Google. .Android operating systems are based on the Linux kernel and the GNU software. Android has a large community of developers writing applications that has helped to extend the functionality of the devices. The developers write managed code in Java, controlling the device via Google-developed Java libraries.The Android operating systems offer a virtual machine that is optimized for the mobile devices. It provides a structure data storage by the use of SQLite. It facilitates with technologies such as, Bluetooth, 3G and WiFi that are hardware dependent. It enables reuse and replacements of components through an application framework. For example Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 is developed using Android operating system.A virtual machine can be referred to an environment or a program that does not physically exists but is created inside another(prenominal) environment.BlackBerry operating system The BlackBerry operating system is an e-mail based operating system introduced in a Smartphone device developed by the Canadian company, Research In Motion (RIM). It includes ordinary Smartphone applications like address book, calendar, to-do lists, and telephone capabilities. It supports push e-mail, mobile telephone, text messaging, Internet faxing, Web search and other wireless informati on services. It offers a multitasking environment which helps to perform more than one task at the same time. The system navigation is primarily accomplished by a scroll ball, or trackball in the middle of the device. It even offers support for WAP (Wireless action Protocol) and Java Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP). WAP helps to access mobile web from a Smartphone or a mobile phone. Java MIDP offers stipulation for employing Java on Smartphones.Windows Mobile Windows Mobile is an operating system used in various mobile phones and Smartphones. It encompasses the compositionl software stack from the kernel to the application interface. This operating system is compatible with the Microsoft Office suite of programs.The current reading is called Windows Mobile 6.5. It is based on the Windows CE 5.2 kernel. Additionally, third-party software development is available for Windows Mobile, and the software can be purchased via the Windows Marketplace for Mobile.Originally appear ing as the Pocket PC 2000 operating system, most Windows Mobile devices come with a stylus pen, which is used to enter commands by tapping it on the screen.Windows CE is a modular operating system that serves as the foundation for several classes of devices. Windows Mobile is best described as a subset of platforms based on a Windows CE. Currently, Pocket PC (now called Windows Mobile Classic), Smartphone (Windows Mobile Standard), and PocketPC Phone Edition (Windows Mobile Professional) are the three main platforms under the Windows Mobile umbrella.Windows Mobile is a Microsoft-defined custom platform for general use in Smartphones and PDAs. It consists of a Microsoft-defined set of minimum profiles (Professional Edition, Premium Edition) of software and hardware that is supported. It provides feature rich OS and interface for cellular phone handsets. It offers productivity features to business users, such as email, as well as multimedia capabilities for consumers.Java enabled Smar tphones with Java based OS are also available. SavaJe is one such O.S. which is coffee tree based. It includes everything from the kernel to the user interface framework and application suite.SavaJes complete suite of applications for advanced mobile phones spans the entire spectrum of handset functionality, includingA phone application, for voice calls management.A universal messaging application with a childlike and intuitive user interface for MMS, SMS, and e-mail messages.A universal browser for transparent access to WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) , HTML and XHTML (eXtensible Hyper Text Markup Language) sites. XHTML is a markup language that is similar to HTML, used in the creation of webpages and is a combination of HTML and XML.A multimedia application for still and video capture and playback, including camera control and multiple media players.A Personal Information Management (PIM) application for contacts, calendar, tasks, notes and alarms management and synchronizat ion to a local PC or over-the-air.Garnet Operating System This was formerly known as Palm OS. This operating system combines a Linux-based foundation with applications write for the old Palm OS. The Palm OS was mainly used in PDAs, though the Treo line of Smartphones used it as well. The Garnet Operating System is also referred as Palm OS5. It is a change operating system for powering portable hand-held devices, Smartphones, and PDAs from ACCESS Systems, who developed software products and platforms for web browsing, mobile phones, wireless handhelds, and other networked devices.The Garnet Operating System has a built-in PACE (Palm Application Compatibility Environment). Garnet Operating System is subject of supporting wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, and Infrared. In addition to this functionality, it also offers standard support for a variety of screen resolutions.Linux Linux is unique among the other operating systems. This is because its development is d riven by a community of developers rather than by a single company such as Symbian operating system in Nokia phones and blackberry OS in blackberry phones. According to ARCchart, the Linux operating system supports more processors than other operating system, though the most popular phone models still use the Symbian operating system.However, Linux is an organic OS, where in, the developers ceaselessly change and update it even at the kernel level platforms. Six telecommunication companies are responding to this by forming the LiMo foundation, an organization that is attempting to create a standardized Linux platform.Smartphones based on the unmortgaged source Linux operating system have emerged in the market. There are many advantages to using an open-source operating system like Linux. No cost and the opportunity to tap into the Linux open source community are appealing. This has made Linux grow, not only for the server and PC market space, but also in the embedded device area i ncluding handheld computers. For example, Motorola that is a notable supporter of Linux has released the A760 Smartphone based on this operating system.Linux may go away the preferred operating system in full featured mobile terminals as well as a variety of embedded systems. Linux-powered Smartphone will hold an important position in the near future.Advantages and disadvantages of smartphonesThe usage of Smartphones is on the rise. The reason behind this widespread usage is because Smartphones provide enhanced features to users. Let us look at some of the advantages that Smartphones haveWe can download applications or important data on-the-go.It is easier for us to carry a Smartphone when compared to a laptop or a PDA.We can incorporate different functionalities into a small device.3G Internet allows us to browse the Internet at speeds faster than our internet connection at home.But Smartphones do have the following disadvantages when compared to Feature phonesSmartphones are gene rally high-priced because they support multiple features.To use all the wireless tools provided within the Smartphone, we would require an expensive wireless data plan.Self Assessment Questions_____________ operating system began its existence in 1988 as SIBO.Palm OS operating system combines a __________foundation with applications written for the old Palm OS.Windows Mobile OS is based on windows _____________.Android is an operating system for mobile devices that was developed by ____________.Windows Mobile operating system was developed by __________.The SavaJe OS is a __________ based system that includes everything from the kernel to the user interface framework and application suite.Garnet OS was formerly known as Palm OS.(True/False)?Activity 2Check out few mobile phones in your contacts and find out which operating system is used and write down a comparison of the features offered.SummaryIn this unit we started with underlying the concept of Smartphones. We learnt that a Sma rtphone refers to a handheld device that offers the functionality of a mobile phone as well as the PDAs. We also came to know about the various features provided by Smartphones such as, operating system, software, access to internet, QWERTY keyboard, advanced GPS features, touch screen, memory, and so on.Then we discussed about the mobile or Smartphone operating system in detail. Here, we discussed the necessity for a mobile operating system. Furthermore, we even discussed the characteristics of a Smartphone operating system such as, lustiness resource limited hardware, user interface for limited user hardware, and library support.Later we also discussed about the various operating system support by these Smartphones or mobile phone. This includes operating systems such as Symbian, Android, Blackberry OS, Windows Mobile, Garnet OS, Java, and Linux.GlossaryLet us have an overview of the important terms mentioned in the unitBluetooth An open wireless technology standard for exchangin g data over short distances using short length radio waves from fixed and mobile devicesKernel Is the central component of most computer operating systems, it is a link up between applications and the actual data processingMiddleware Software that mediates between the application program and a network.Multitasking It refers to the ability of the operating system to quickly switch between tasks, giving the appearance of simultaneous execution of tasksMultithreading It widens the idea of multitasking into applications, so that specific operations within a single application can be subdivided into soulfulness threads.SavaJe OS A Java OS for advanced mobile phones. Developers can create better user interface using this OS.Thread it is a light weight process. It is a single flow of with a process.QWERTY It is the most used modern-day keyboard layout on English-language computer and typewriter keyboards. It takes its name from the first six charactersWi-fi Networks build used for wirele ss network.Terminal QuestionsWhat is a Mobile Operating System?Name the types of mobile operating systems available in the market.List down various features of a Smartphone.What is a Symbian Operating System?Explain shortly the advantages and disadvantages of SmartphonesAnswersSelf Assessment QuestionsCellular networkFalsePersonal Digital AssistantMobile phoneGlobal Positioning SystemSynchronizeSymbianLinux-basedCE 5.2 kernelGoogleMicrosoftJavaTrueTerminal Questions concern section 1.4 The Mobile/Smartphone Operating System that describes mobile platform.Refer sub-section 1.4.3 Popular mobile operating systems, which tells the various platforms used to develop a Smartphone.Refer section 1.3 Smartphone Features that describes the QWERTY keyboard and touch screen and other features.Nokias bestseller Smartphone 6600 was developed using this operating system. Refer sub-section 1.4.3 Popular mobile operating systems for details.Refer section 1.5 which lists various advantages and disadv antages of Smartphones.References and Suggested ReadingsJochen Schiller (2009), Mobile communications (Second Edition).E-Referenceshttp//www.3gamericas.org.http//developer.symbian.com/main.http//www.microsoft.com/windows/WinHistoryIntro.mspx.