Broader Description of Mobile Device OSs iOS, Android, Palm OS - Research Paper Example

? Research Paper Introduction With the advent of Operating System (OS) a new era of technological advancement has emerged in the 21st century. OS allows the users of the applications to interrelate with the hardware configurations of a computer system. OS runs a platform for software which helps the application programs to be used in a convenient manner. OS comprises of certain characteristics which are briefly explained as the multiuser functionality helping two or more users to execute the program simultaneously. Multiprocessing function, as a major feature of OS, supports a process which is running on more than one computer. Additionally, the multitasking function of Oss also helps one or more programs to run simultaneously rewarding the virtues of real time function which allows users to obtain responses instantly for the input. The priority of OS in the modern scenario evolved to make the workload easier for the end users of computing systems which involves a coating of software which takes into account the technical aspects of computer operations. Notably, in the current scenario, there are varieties of OSs (Foster & Bachmann, 2005). In the context of this research study, the OSs including iOS, Android and Palm OS have been explained briefly. Hence, the scheduling, processes involved and security aspects of these OSs have been discussed henceforth. The study also reflects a brief comparison between these three OSs with relation to their application and uses. The study also reflects the future of the OSs taken into account in this study, concerning the modern scenario. Broader Description of Mobile Device OSs iOS, Android, Palm OS iOS iOS is an OS established and distributed by Apple Incorporation, one of the leading global consumer electronics organizations. This particular OS has been promoted as an extended form of application to support the various innovative products of Apple such as iPad and Apple TV. iOS is noted as compatible with iPhones and iPods too. Contextually, the OS tends to manage the hardware of the device and offer technologies that are required to implement the applications (Apple Developer, 2013). Concerning the processes of iOS, it can be observed to involve three phases of development processes. In the initial phase, the applications required for the development of iOS is accumulated and encumbered to devices for multiple times to test functionality, designing efficiency and bug testing. The stages involved within the developing phase are broadly illustrated in the following flow chart (Apple Developer, 2013). In the second phase, i.e. termed as the AdHoc phase, the configured iOS is used to test the application which has been downloaded from the application store of the Apple product. The next stages of AdHoc emphasizes on compiling the applications and installing it in the devices for further testing. Subsequently, the last phase includes the distribution process of the products which have already been configured with the applications and tested for the ultimate customers (Apple Developer, 2013). In this context, the iOS applications has been developed in synchronization to iTunes in particular (Apple Developer, 2013). The fundamentals for automatically scheduling iOS comprises of certain stages which mainly encompass the ‘jail broken iOS device’, elementary knowledge of Secure Shell (SSH) and its applications, focus on the acquaintance with terminal commands and knowledge of “bundle identifier” names for the applications to be executed appropriately (Apple Developer, 2013). Another significant feature of any OS can be identified as its memory. The management of memory, in an OS, is a process that involves memory allocations during program’s runtime. It is in this context that a well scripted program such as iOS uses as little memory as possible (Apple Developer, 2013). In the similar context, the aspects related with security in boot chain, runtime process and signing of code during the application of iOS, helps to confirm that only reliable code and applications can be implemented on a device. In addition to this context, the iOS developed by Apple possesses certain security characteristics to protect user data (Apple Developer, 2013). Android The OS, patented as Android, is based on the Linux OS which has been designed mainly for touch-screen mobile phones (Android Developers, 2013). Android system has been developed to maintain an application process for a longer period. One of its major limitations in this context is that, intending to maintain the process efficiently for a longer period, it needs to erase the previous data in order to make a space for the application of new data. The processes are placed on the basis of “importance hierarchy”. The hierarchy level comprises of foreground process, visible process, service process, background process and empty process. These stages are placed according to their priority in the Android OS (Android Developers, 2013). Furthermore, lock applications provide widespread locking processes that can be obtained using synchronized approaches and statements in the Android OS. Lock synchronization can be identified as an equipment that switches access to a common resource by numerous threads. In Android OS, all lock operations must impose the same ‘memory synchronization’ semantics as given by the ‘built-in monitor’ lock, as illustrated in ‘The Java Language Specification’ (Android Developers, 2013). Correspondingly, the schedule stages in Android OS create the tasks with numerous delays and then return a task article that is used to stop or check implementation. The schedule with a fixed rate and fixed delay approaches as used in Android OS, create and implement the task that runs on periodical basis until it is cancelled (Android Developers, 2013). When assessing the memory systems of Android, it can be observed that Android accomplishes and guards the share of internal memory storage where systems, applications and data related to the applications are stored. Android also manages the execution of RAM with the use of various applications (Android Developers, 2013). Additionally, Android, being an open platform, requires vigorous security architecture and demanding security programs. Notably, this particular design feature of Android has considerably reduced the probability of viral attacks in the technology products and this causing less security hazards for its users. Hence, it can be affirmed that Android offers an exposed source stage and application situation for mobile devices (TechRepublic, 2013). Palm OS Palm OS, can also be identified as a promising OS developed by Palm Incorporation for ‘Personal Digital Assistants’. It is used to manage the personal information with the use of basic software applications (TechRepublic, 2013). Contextually, Palm OS uses a single mode of process called as ‘Kernel’. Notably, the process used in Palm OS continues to run until it has completed or has received a stop notation from the event manager. Although, Kernel lacks the functionality of handling multiple threads, it runs multiple kernel threads. It is worth mentioning in this regard that it is not possible for thread in one process to access thread of the different process (TechRepublic, 2013). When assessing its synchronization, Palm OS ‘Hot Sync’ design allows one-button synchronization of information between the handheld computing systems and desktops. Its applications are fundamentally based on user friendly approach on the basis of the current consumer requirements (TechRepublic, 2013). The memory on this OS is configured on the basis of logical constructs which is known as “cards”. The memory manager of Palm OS plays an important role in maintaining memory storage in its user devices by using scarce resources. Palm OS acts as a bridge for the programmer to operate memory applications. Unlike the Android OS, the data manager in Palm OS exploits the memory manager so that certain space could be allocated for database records rather than erasing previous data. Additionally, the memory of Palm OS can be automatically defragmented (Curtis & Wagg, 2004). The scheduling applications in Palm OS comprise of ‘big red pack2.2’, ‘VIAeSchedule1.0’, ‘Flight itinerary 1.4’ and ‘Trip boss 3.01’. Contextually, these applications have been developed with due significance towards the requirements of the end users (Curtis & Wagg, 2004). Palm OS follows simple stages to secure its data. These stages comprise of assigning a password, setting up of the device for periodical lock and hiding the confidential records of the users from anonymous sources. However, in many instances, it has been witnesses that the security system of Palm OS cannot prevent the hackers from leaking the confidential records (Curtis & Wagg, 2004). Comparison between iOS, Android and Palm OS The advent of OSs has created an era of technology advancement in the consumer electronics sector. Contextually, iOS, Android and Palm OS have their merits and disadvantages (TechRepublic, 2013). For instance, iOS- iOS is the modern post PC created by Apple. The hardware present within the OS is characterized to be attractive and advanced. It comprises of a huge capacity library for substances and applications. It is often regarded as the perfectly designed device for the end users based on their conveniences. However, it has certain disadvantages too. To be illustrated, the content with regards to formation and productivity is the frailest in this particular OS. iOS applications are of least useful for working professionals as it rendered insignificant consideration towards creativity. In comparison with Android, the applications of iOS are simple on the basis of user interface. In addition, Apple iOS allows the user to work upon one application at one time. There is a special feature known as ‘find my phone’ in which, if the device is lost, it could be recognized easily on a map (Foster & Bachmann, 2005). In comparison to iOS, Android has positioned itself as the most dominant tablet in the modern context. In comparison to other OSs, the android devices offer flexibility with regards to its applications. Android has taken into account the power of user’s playground rather than consumer appliances. In comparison to iOS, it can be affirmed that Android is neither stable nor designed properly (Curtis &Wagg, 2004). Android acts as an open source which has been developed by Google. It has an additional application related to communication technology ‘NFC’ other than Bluetooth unlike other OSs. Contextually, all the three OSs are identified as multitasking in nature (Foster & Bachmann, 2005). One of the major dissimilarities between Android and iOS is that Android, being an open source OS, can be installed in any hardware whereas iOS runs only on Apple devices. The software of Apple’s mobile is available only with its devices which results in excellent compatibility of hardware with the firmware. Bugs and Patches fixes is released only by Apple in Apple iOS, whereas in comparison to iOS there are loads of modified versions from third party designers with instant fixes in Android (Curtis & Wagg, 2004). Comparatively, it can be argued that Palm OS is generally not window compatible which results in conversion of documents into the concerned Palm format before using the user attempts to use the application. Palm OS comprises the features such as Garnet and Linux which allows the applications to run properly in selected devices (Saif, 2005). Future of Operating Systems According to the modern researchers, there are three major problems related to OSs. For instance, modular construction of OSs which comprise of the techniques used in software engineering is improper to be applied universally. Additionally, being related to distribution and mobile systems only these OSs lack wider application. In this context the better method is to design basic software components that are usable to any computing system at large. It has also been argued in this regard that the influence of other technologies over OSs can create a problem for these OSs in future. In the modern scenario, computer users often have to face difficulties during the installation of software and hardware resulting from technical issues. Hence, there is a significant probability identifiable that the future application of mobile OS comprising context- sensitive, personalized and adaptive systems will be reconfigurable (TechRepublic, 2013). Conclusion In modern day context, there has been a rapid growth in the interest of analyzing human errors caused due to technological development. The growth in the intricacy of technical connections makes it furthermore difficult for the operators to infer the internal functions of the system. On the other hand, operations based on large scale to cope up with competitive production do not accept human errors and thus indicate a major flaw in the currently used OSs. This has resulted in analyzing the human errors as a part of system design in computing technology. Undoubtedly, the advent of operating system has resulted in the execution of convenient user programs with minimized hazards. Consequently, it has become easier for the end users to use the computer conveniently and also the usage of computer hardware in a well-organized manner. References Apple Developer. (2013). Apple's iOS Development Process Summary. iOS Dev Center. Retrieved from http://www.swfhead.com/AppleiOSDevelopmentProcessSummary.pdf Android Developers. (2013). Processes and Threads. Develop. Retrieved from http://developer.android.com/guide/components/processes-and-threads.html Android Developers. (2013). Class Overview. Retrieved from http://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/locks/Lock.html Android. (2013). Optimize Memory Usage: Android OS. Retrieved from http://support.google.com/android/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1665504 Curtis, J. & Wagg, A. (2004). Palm OS- Memory Management. Retrieved from http://www.sporc.org/docs/uni/comp3300/Palm%20OS.pdf Foster, R. L. & Bachmann, G. (2005). Professional Palm OS Programming. Canada: Wiley Publishing. Saif, U. (2005). Opportunistic File Association for Mobile Operating System. Retrieved from http://people.csail.mit.edu/umar/publications/OFA-WMCSA.pdf TechRepublic. (2013). Beware Of A Back-Door Security Hole in Palm OS. Mobile Development. Retrieved from http://www.techrepublic.com/article/beware-of-a-back-door-security-hole-in-palm-os/5028344 Read More