Getting Familiar With Smartphone Platforms

By Author: Dave Carter
Total Articles: 55
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In today's battle of smartphones, phone manufacturers are trying to outdo each other in coming up with a model that doesn't just have all the bells and whistles, but pack really powerful applications and features that will answer all the needs of the users. Their aim is for a user not to look for another phone anymore once he or she gets hold of the phone they made. If you come to think of it, today's smartphones have almost the same features. The only differences are sometimes just on the design, the navigation, and the all-important operating system.

Of course, the operating system or OS is something that is looked at mostly by advanced users, although there are many regular users out there who may not exactly be techies but are choosy when it comes to the OS of their smartphone either because of loyalty to one or being used to a specific OS or platform. Right now, iOS, Android and Windows are the most dominant platforms for smartphones (the new Blackberry 10 still have to prove its worth).

So, which platform reigns supreme? Right now, not any of the three. If you ask people which platform they prefer, they ...
... would probably choose the one they have on their phone now. Each platform certainly has its own merits and demerits. The reason why a user stays loyal to a specific platform is not only because he got so used to it, but also because moving from one platform to another means he has to replace his apps as well, which means a new round of costs if the apps are not free. In many cases, however, especially when changing to Android, there would be no issues moving across movies and music.

Choosing iOS can be an excellent decision if just for the reason that it's the longest established among all the current big platforms. Users of this platform can testify not only to its beauty and ease of use, but also its stability and security. It is also the top choice of many app developers. One of the downsides (albeit few) to the iOS, though, is you don't get many choices with it. Unless you jailbreak your iPhone, the only apps you can install are those from the Apple store.

As for Android, well, it sure has come a long way since it was initially developed in 2005. There is a wide range of Androids, however, especially on new phones. Being open to some extent, those that develop hardware have the freedom to choose which version they want to use. Samsung's Galaxy II and LG's Nexus 4 are examples of high-end phones that use this operating system. Users who have this platform can have easy access to tons of apps via the Google Android app market. As for one of its demerits, some people complain of the need for continuous internet connection when using specific applications.

Windows, on the other hand, specifically Windows 8, is right there somewhere between iOS and Android. Sometimes it can be locked down, while it can also be available on a variety of handsets. It looks slick and is easy to use as well, although if there is a major beef about it, perhaps it's the shortage of apps in the Windows 8 app market.

At the end of the day, your choice of platform will still depend on whether it meets your requirements and needs and it's easy enough for you to use. Choosing a smartphone to get becomes easier once you've decided which platform truly floats your boat. For more information, you can do mobile plan comparison at Compare Mobile Plans to easily compare mobile plans.

Dave Carter is an independent consultant for small businesses and writes for http://www.comparemobileplans.com.au. A techie at heart, he's up to speed with the latest releases and innovations in consumer technology, sharing his insights in language ordinary users can understand. View this to find the best mobile phone provider online.