Mobile Operating systems
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| Mobile Operating systems
The iPad's iOS operating system (left) and Google's Android operating system are visually similar and offer many of the same features. In the overview of this Buying Guide, we briefly covered the key product types in the tablet marketplace. In this section, we'll weigh some of the pros and cons of the operating system software running on these devices. iOSFormerly known as iPhone OS, Apple's iOS is the operating system that runs on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. As such, it is one of the most popular mobile operating systems on the market. Pros: Huge App Store selection; ideal for media playback; large selection of games; many tablet-optimized apps; multitouch support; parental security options; seamless integration with other Apple products, such as Apple TV and AirPort Extreme; over-the-air app updates. Cons: Users must buy their software from Apple; existing Mac and Windows software isn't supported; lacks Adobe Flash compatibility; only runs on Apple hardware. WindowsHistorically, tablets running Microsoft's Windows operating system made up the major share of the market. These include several subcategories, such as slates, convertible laptops, UMPCs, and MIDs. Windows-based tablets still thrive, especially in niche professional applications that demand the capabilities and broad software compatibility of Windows. The next version of Microsoft's Windows software (Windows 8) will address many of the following criticisms. Until its arrival in 2012, though, Windows-based tablets aren't as agile or efficient as their Android and iOS peers. Pros: Familiar interface; broadest software and hardware compatibility; Adobe Flash support; multitasking; natively supports wide range of screen sizes. Cons: Windows desktop interface doesn't always translate well to the touch screen without intermediating software or stylus input; typically longer boot times compared with Android or iOS; cumbersome software installation; more prone to computer viruses. Examples: Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t, Archos 9 PC tablet, Asus Eee PC T91 AndroidSmartphones running Google's Android OS are some of the biggest competitors to Apple's iPhone. The same is true in the world of tablets. Android takes an approach similar to Apple's iOS, offering a streamlined interface based around lightweight, third-party apps. Though there are still a large number of tablets on the market running Android version 2.3 or lower, most of today's high-profile Android tablets run Android 3.2 or higher and are better optimized for the larger screens of tablets. Pros: A large variety of apps; quick boot time; supports a broad range of hardware; native integration with Google's Web-based services (search, maps, e-mail, etc.). Cons: Many Android features and developer specs (pre-Honeycomb) are more fitting for smartphones than tablets; accessory compatibility changes from manufacturer to manufacturer; media and gaming content is slow to catch up to iOS. Examples: Best Android tablets OthersThere are a few tablet operating systems that don't fall neatly into any of the previous categories. But whether it's a custom Linux-based slate like the OpenTablet, the QNX operating system on RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook, or HP's discontinued TouchPad, they all have one thing in common: they're new in town. Compared with an Android or iOS tablet, any new kid on the block will inherently have some kinks to work out. Download 7.47 Kb. Share with your friends:
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