Smartphone Makers Compete Through Operating Systems

Filed in archive Mobile Technologies on February 15, 2010

One in six adults in the United States carried a smart phone last year, according to Forrester Research. As impressive as that stat may be, that share is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years, as consumers warm to mobile devices capable of running a wide range of applications and net surfing capabilities nearly as intuitive as that of a mobile computer.

Of course vying for this market are several top contenders in the software development realm hoping to gain an edge over their competitors. Nokia, who had been touting the Symbian operating system until late, has decided to put its eggs in the Linux basket. Nokia is set to switch over to a version of the Linux operating system called Maemo in their high-end smart phones.

Apple is sticking with their own operating platform with the iPhone and iPod models as its steady success calls to mind the old adage, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Though sales were still going strong, Research in Motion Ltd. of Canada couldn't keep up with Apple's incredible growth last year. Even still RIM is going to stick with its own software for its BlackBerrys and will not license it to others.

Windows Mobile, the once pioneer in smart phones, is struggling to keep up with the new kids. Manufacturers like Motorola and HTC have been shifting away from Windows Mobile toward Google's Android. Last year, fewer Windows Mobile phones were sold than the year prior, a sad fact in a market that grew 35 percent! Microsoft is scheduled to show off a new version of its mobile software platform in the hopes of gaining back the market share it lost.

Google's Android software has been the biggest mover and shaker of the lot, racking up some serious manufacturer support. Consider this: There was just one Android phone in 2008. At the end of 2009, there were more than a dozen, with more company's joining in daily.

Palm Inc., like Microsoft, was a pioneer in smart phone development. To many, Palm may as well be credited with inventing the entire concept! Last year, Palm made a clean break with their new webOS (running on two phones, the Pre and Pixi). Despite very favorable reviews, sales have been less than stellar. Palm is expected to continue developing this OS.