Mobile/Tablet Operating System (OS) Guide

Mobile operating systems (OS) can be found in your tablets and smart phones. Each has its own set of features and capabilities that make it unique so when shopping for a new mobile device, it's important to understand the differences between the choices so you can make an informed decision on which is right for you. The three main competitors are Windows, Android, and Apples IOS. This guide will break down the each system by highlighting the pros and cons and defining the terms you need to know.

Feature Breakdown

Developer Android Apple Microsoft Copy/Paste yes yes no (Coming in future update) Multitasking yes yes no Flash Support yes no no Silverlight Support no no no HTML5 Support yes yes no Unified Inbox yes yes no Exchange Support yes yes yes Threaded Email yes yes no Visual Voicemail yes yes no Video Calling yes (Third Party App) yes no Universal Search yes yes no Internet Tethering yes yes no Removeable Storage yes no no Facebook Integration yes (Third Party Integration) no (Third Party App) yes Twitter Integration yes (Third Party Integration) no (Third Part App) no Folders yes yes Hubs Apps Organization Customizable Customizable Alphabetical App Store 90,000+ Apps 300,000+ Apps 1,000+ Apps Microsoft Office Support Third Party App Third Part App Built-In Widgets yes no Tiles on Home Screen Media Sync Direct File Transfer + Third Party Software iTunes Mac & PC Zune Software Mac & PC X-box Live Integration Third Party App Third Part App Built-In

Multitasking

Multitasking the ability to swtich between applications without having to shutdown the application itself, like switching between windows on a computer.On an Android device, users click a button on the sytem bar at the bottom of the screen to bring up a series of thumbnails representing open applications. Simply click the thumbnail to swtich between apps. IOS users can double-click the home button on their iPhone or iPad to bring a scrolling list of applications sorted by most recent usgage.

Flash Support

Flash is a multimedia platform, formally developed by Adobe, that adds animation, video, and interactivity to the web.Common uses are advertisments, games, and flash animations for broadcast. Although Adobe discontinued development on Flash in 2011, its presence is still noticed on the web on sites like YouTube.com.

Silverlight Support

Microsoft Silverlight is an appliaction framework that writes and runs rich internet applications, similar to Adobe Flash.One of the major development platform for Windows mobile apps, Silverlight uses multimedia, graphics, and animation to add dynamic elements to webpages.

HTML5 Support

Another development language used to create the webpages you see. A reletively new standard, HTM5 is intnded to impove multimedia integration while keeping it easily readble by both humans and computers.

Unified Inbox

A unified inbox combine all of your social channels (email, SMS,Voicemail, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) into a singular, organized inbox. With a unified inbox you will never miss a message because they will all be located in one place, with syncronized alerts. Unfied inboxes can also be used for collaboration.

Exchange Support

Exchange support will allow you to connect to your organizations Exchange server to synconize mail, calanders, and contacts.Consult your IT department to determine if you need Exchange support.

Threaded Email

Threaded email means your messages will appear organzied and grouped by converation. Basically, once you open an email you will be able you view all the related forwards, replys, and other messages. Threaded email makes keep tracking of your email conversations extremely easy.

Visual Voicemail

Visual voicemail put your voicemail in your control. Once a message is in your voicemail inox, details like caller name, and number will be displayed in sortable list on the device. Users can select which emails to listen to and quickly delete others.

Video Calling

iOS users have FaceTime and Android users can use applications like Skype to video chat with friends, family, and colleagues. The wave of the future, video chat is becoming increasingly popular and adds a personal touch to the conversation.

Universal Search

A universal search feature will gather search results, based on the keywords entered, from multiple sources to bring users the most relevant, and reliable information on the web. Results can include articles, pictures, videos, and more.

Internet Tethering

Internet tehtering means sharing an internet connection with other internet-capable devices. This can be done through connecting the devices with a cable, via Bluetooth, or through a wireless-LAN or "Hotspot". A hotspot works as a mobile wirless router by broadcasting a singal that is detected and shared by other devices without any wired connection.

Removeable Storage

Devices with removebale storage have open slots where users can insert a memory card (SD, MicroSD, etc.) into the device to expand the internal memory for more music, movies, videos, or applications. Users can also move files off and on to the memory card and transfer files between compatible devices.

Facebook Integration

Devices with Facebook Integration have native appliations that bring your Timeline, messages, and everything else Facebook straight to your phones interface. This may come in the form of an active widget (Android), or through custom notifactions. Facebook integration also allows users to quickly share status updates, pictures, videos, and links without having to activate an application.

Twitter Integration

Twitter integration, just like Facebook Integration, threads the Twitter world into your devices native applications. Widgets can display live Twitter feeds and users can effortlessly Tweet, share multimedia and do everything Twitter without opening a third party application.

Folders

Folders allow users to organize their interface to meet their sytle of use. Create groups of apps and links to suit your needs.

Widgets

Widgets (Tiles on Windows OS) represent live applications. Widgets allow users access to their content like pictures, Facebook, Twitter, and contacts without having to acutally open an application. Widgets continously update and present in a stylish, yet simple, interface.

Media Syncing

Media Syncing involves syncornizing the media on your laptop or computer with your mobile device. Apple (iTunes) and Windows (Zune) use their own software to deliver your music, movies, videos, and more straight to your phone (sometimes even wirlessly via a WiFi connection). Andorid users have a direct file transport feature where, instead of using a software interface (iTunes), you directly import the media into the systm files on the device.This process is made easier through a third party file management application.