What is a smartphone’s operating system?
What is a smartphone’s operating system?
A smartphone’s operating system (OS) is the software that controls the basic functions of a smartphone, computer or tablet and manages communication between the phone’s hardware and applications. It acts as an intermediary between hardware components such as the processor, memory and storage, and the applications that run on the smartphone.
It works in the same way for your computers, the system and its version may depend on the brand, as is the case for Windows or Apple Mac.
The same applies to computers and tablets, with different systems for different brands, such as Microsotf, Linux and Apple, which use different technologies. This computer specificity will affect your choice of computer, because you won’t get the same system with Macos as with a computer running Microsoft Windows.
The most popular smartphone operating systems are Android and iOS, both of which are designed to run on a wide range of devices around the world. Android is an open-source operating system developed by Google and used by many manufacturers, including Samsung, Sony, Nokia, Xiaomi, Motorola and OnePlus, among others. iOS is a proprietary operating system developed by Apple and used exclusively on Apple’s iPhone devices. In fact, it has to be said that mobile phone market share is divided between a handful of large companies.
There are also versions of Linux for smartphones, such as Ubuntu Touch or Pure OS, which give you all the benefits of Linux on a mobile device.
The OS of your smartphone
An OS for a smartphone generally comprises several key components: the kernel, which is the heart of the operating system and manages communication between hardware and software; the system libraries, which provide a set of common functions that can be used by applications; and the user interface, which is the part of the operating system that you interact with.
The kernel is responsible for managing the phone’s resources, such as the processor, memory and storage. It also controls communication between hardware and software, and manages the phone’s power management and security functions.
System libraries provide a set of common functions that can be used by apps, such as access to the mobile’s camera, GPS and other sensors. They also support common functions such as network communication, file management and data storage.
The user interface, also known as the ‘shell’, is the part of the operating system with which the user interacts. It comprises the home screen, where applications and settings are accessed, and the system settings, where various phone parameters can be changed, such as display, sound and network settings.
Mobile operating systems are designed to be easy to use and provide a consistent user experience across a wide range of devices. However, this can also make them vulnerable to exploitation, as attackers can take advantage of their common vulnerabilities. To limit the risk of exploitation, it is important to keep the operating system and apps up to date with the latest security patches and to be wary of suspicious emails and web pages.
What is a custom OS ?
The operating system also includes a set of integrated applications and services, such as a web browser, email client and music player. These can be customised and extended by third-party developers, who can create their own apps and add-ons that can be downloaded and installed on the smartphone.
There is a large community working on the development and evolution of custom OS versions. It is not uncommon to find a blog dedicated to this subject, with a guide, advice and tips to help you better understand the development of these OSes and gain access to their code.
A certain proportion of consumers in France and around the world do not find the answer to their needs in what the major retailers are offering, and are looking for OSes that better meet their needs.
These OSes are generally based on Android, because it is possible to modify the source code, so teams have set about developing new functionalities, such as making changes to respect consumers’ privacy.
One of the main features of a smartphone OS is the ability to multitask, which means that you can run several applications simultaneously and switch easily between them. This is made possible by the operating system’s ability to manage resources such as the processor, memory and storage, so that each application has the resources it needs to function properly.
What is important to know when you are choosing an Operative system ?
When you choose to buy a mobile phone, a computer or a tablet, you think, sometimes without even realising it, about your choice of operating system. There are big differences between a Blackberry or Samsung Galaxy running Android and an iPhone running iOS. The same applies to a computer running Microsoft Windows and an Apple Mac OS.
Another important feature of a smartphone’s operating system is its ability to connect to the Internet and other devices. This is made possible by the operating system’s support for various wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular data. This makes it possible to access the Internet, share files with other mobiles, computers or tablets and use a wide range of apps and services that require an Internet connection.
In conclusion, a smartphone operating system (OS) is the software that controls the basic functions of a smartphone and manages communication between the phone’s hardware and applications. The most popular mobile operating systems are Android and iOS. A mobile phone’s operating system generally comprises several key components: the kernel, which is the heart of the operating system and manages communication between the hardware and software, and the system libraries, which provide a set of common functions that can be used by users.
