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Alan Reiter

The Mobile OS Does Matter

Written by Alan Reiter
7/3/2008 2 comments
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Computer and wireless pundits are proclaiming your device’s operating system irrelevant.

This opinion is sparked by many new versions of Linux on notebook computers and cellular phones. It’s also sparked by cloud computing where “the OS doesn’t matter.”

Irrelevant my, uh, foot. Your OS matters a great deal for wireless Internet:

1. Want to connect a cellular modem or use a phone as a modem for your notebook? You'd better have a mainstream OS on your computer and handset. It’s sometimes difficult to get cellular data working on the Mac OS, let alone on Linux.

2. There’s lots of research with new cellular browsers, as I've previously written. Want the hottest beta and commercial versions? You typically need Symbian or Windows Mobile on your phone.

Also, iPhone users will see lots of hot apps this year.

3. Want the largest number of hot applications for your phone? See No. 2.

4. When you find a wireless Internet application, you need to, duh, install it. The easiest installation likely will be on a mainstream OS -- especially Windows XP on your computer.

Suggestions or questions about my Weblog? Email me: reiter@wirelessinternet.com.

— Alan Reiter, President, Wireless Internet & Mobile Computing

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Alan Reiter
Thinkernetter
Wednesday July 9, 2008 1:26:12 AM
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Hi lpricci49 (Lawrence),

Yep, I certainly know it matters.  But many people have no idea what OS is on their cellular phones.  If they do know, they don't think about it.

Unfortunately, there's very little education for users, especially in the U.S.

lpricci49
IQ Crew
Tuesday July 8, 2008 11:25:13 PM
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You bet it matters!!!   OS to OS comparison in the mobile world has a lot to do with power consumption.   And power consumption has a lot to do with the apps on the OS.

For example, various OS options offer SSL security, and maybe a VPN tunnel.  That is nice.  Now, compare the POWER consumption.

POSIX OS seems to have limits here- power management at the driver level is needed.

Lawrence Ricci
www.EmbeddedInsider.com

 

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