The Category Of Operating System Used For Handheld Devices
Handheld devices, such as cell phones, PDAs, and tablets, continue to increase in popularity and features. This popularity has led to the increased development of dedicated operating systems specifically designed for handheld devices. These operating systems are categorized in different ways to differentiate their features and functions.
Mobile Operating Systems
One of the most common categories of operating system used for handheld devices is mobile operating systems, also sometimes referred to as “smartphone operating systems.” This type of operating system is designed specifically for mobile use, and typically includes features like multimedia support, voice recognition, mobile internet access, and GPS navigation. Some of the most popular mobile operating systems include Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android, Microsoft’s Windows Phone, and RIM’s BlackBerry OS.
Embedded Operating Systems
Another type of operating system used for handheld devices is an embedded operating system. This type of operating system is specifically designed to run on embedded devices, such as iPods or e-book readers. Embedded operating systems typically have limited resources and are designed to run a single application or device. Examples of these types of operating systems include Palm OS, Symbian OS, and Linux.
Real-Time Operating Systems
Real-time operating systems (RTOS) are specifically designed for embedded applications that must respond quickly and reliably to external events. These types of operating systems are often found in automotive and industrial applications, but are also used on some hand-held devices. Examples of real-time operating systems include VxWorks, QNX, and RTX.
Conclusion
Handheld devices are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the operating systems used to power them are evolving to meet the needs of today’s mobile users. There are three main categories of operating system used for handheld devices: mobile operating systems, embedded operating systems, and real-time operating systems. Understanding the differences between these types of operating systems can help you choose the right one for your device.