Which Mobile Operating System (OS) will work best for you?

Similar to a computer operating system, a mobile operating system is the software platform on top of which other programs run.

When you purchase a mobile device, the manufacturer will have chosen the operating system for that specific device.

The mobile operating system is responsible for determining the functions and features available on your mobile device, such as thumbwheel, keyboards, WAP, synchronization with applications, e-mail, and text messaging. The mobile operating system will also determine which third-party applications can be used on your mobile device.

There are many mobile operating system (os) platforms that are available to you. The choices include BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Symbian, Android, iPhone, LiMo, and OpenMoko. How do you select the right Mobile operating system that will work for you?

It is important to take the time to understand the pros and cons of each mobile platform. Some platforms make it easy for developers to write and publish applications for mobile devices. You may prefer the iPhone because it has the most applications developed for it.

If you are a developer, you might want to select one platform and stick to it. If you want to develop for more than one platform, you will have to learn many different frameworks and duplicate your effort. Most developers tend to select the iPhone because it has the biggest payoff in terms of learning to develop the applications and the large number of customers.

Before Apple came along with the iPhone, developing for mobile devices was very diverse. The diversity hasn't gone away, in fact, in some cases it has even increased. Windows Mobile tends to lead the way in supporting the diverse array of third-party development. Both Windows Mobile and Symbian support apps developed for Flash, Java ME, Qt, and Silverlight.

The mobile operating systems that provide the developers with the most choices are windows Mobile and Symbian. A large portion of the smartphone operating systems can be targeted by either Java ME or Flash Lite. Actually, instead of having to pick just one operating system to develop for, you can develop apps that work on three or four of the six operating systems using tools that a large number of developers are familiar with.

This website provides you with information and links that evaluate and summarize the different mobile operating system platforms that are available. Whether you are a consumer looking for a wide range of applications and functionality, or a developer that is interested in building new mobile device applications, we provide you with the information that you need to make a good decision.

Apple iPhone: After Apple opened up the iPhone to mobile developers, thousands of applications became available and users were able to download apps from the Apple Store.

Google Android: Mobile developers are beginning to provide apps that you can download directly from Google. You are also able to get programs from third-party developers.

Windows Mobile: There are a huge variety of of applications available within a wide range of categories. You are able to adjust the look and feel of the interface. The drawback is that you don't have an app store like iPhone and Android.

BlackBerry: In the past, BlackBerry useres didn't have may programs to select from, in recent years, there are thousands of apps and games available. Symbian (S60) and Windows Mobile still have more selections. RIM is expected to lauch their BlackBerry store in early 2009.

Symbian: There are a lot of S60 applications that are available at third-party sites. This is due to how long Symbian has been available and the widespread usage of the platform.