Let the Smartphone Wars begin!!

So now Windows Phone 7 has been released, how does the market look for the 6 main competing smartphone operating systems – we’ve gone through each smartphones pro’s cons.

Windows Phone 7:

Windows Phone 7 is the latest arrival to the smartphone market, it consists of a brand new operating system made from scratch by the computer operating system market leaders. Windows have learnt from their mistakes from Windows Phone 6.5 and have created a new vision for mobile which has not been done in any of the other smartphone operating systems.

Pros:

• Large range of handsets from Samsung, LG, HTC, Dell & More (10 at launch)
• Fresh, Clean Interface
• Office App using features from Microsoft Office Suite
• Outlook App
• Xbox Live – Good for gaming
• Homescreen with Live Updates & Widgets

Cons:

• No interface customisations
• Limited number of developers and apps
• Stuck on Bing Search Engine
• Old Windows Mobile Apps won’t work
• No Flash Support
• No Copy/Paste Support
• Multitasking is still uncertain

Nokia Symbian:

Nokia Symbian is the second operating system to enter the smartphone market, with it’s updated Symbian interface – styled to keep up with other modern smartphones like the iPhone and Android.

Pros:

• Still the largest operating system in the market
• Simple, easy to use interface
• Most Symbian phones support FM Radio
• Widget support on Homescreen

Cons:

• Hardware is still lacking – underpowered devices
• Mobile manufacturers are dropping Symbian at a very fast rate, Samsung have already dropped support
• Does not come close to the user experience on any of the other smartphone operating systems
• Limited number of developers and apps
• Very basic software
• No plans for Flash support

Palm Web OS

Web OS is Palms latest and greatest smartphone operating system, currently spanning two devices (the Pre Plus and the Pixi Plus) with more expected shortly. Palm were recently aqcuired by Hewlett Packard, Hewlett Packard plan to build tablet devices, printers and more with Web OS fully integrated.

Pros:

• By far the most advanced smartphone operating system
• True multi tasking with Card Switching
• Socially integrated with Facebook, Twitter and more
• Good, easy to use notification system
• Flash Support

Cons:

• Still a limited number of applications and developers
• Hardware is not upto par with current smartphone leaders
• Limited Networks (Only available on O2 in the UK)
• No widget support

Google Android

Android is Google’s big push into the mobile market, there are 10’s of manufacturers and networks supporting the OS including HTC, Samsung, Dell, Motorola and more. Android currently sits in the number one spot for new smartphone sales with 36% of the market in the US.

• A vast range of quality handsets from different manufacturers
• Continual OS updates from Google
• Open Source operating system allowing for deep customisation (including themes, widgets, colours & more)
• A large number of developers and applications
• A large number of Free Applications on the market place
• True multi tasking
• Easy to use notification system with pull down drawer
• Free GPS Navigation App from Google
• Connected to every Google Application
• Flash Player and Flash AIR Support

Cons:

• Stock interface is still clunky, some manufacturers decide to use their own interfaces which delays updates
• A number of devices are still stuck on old versions of the operating system (around 20%)
• Different screen sizes result in some Apps not working the same on some phones
• Android App Market is still playing catchup to Apple’s App Store

Apple iOS

Currently the third largest smartphone handset for newly purchased devices, Apple’s iOS is featured on the iPhone, iPod and iPad. The iPhone revolutionised the smartphone market and quickly became a well known brand for consumers.

Pros:

• A large number of developers and applications
• Vast range of easy to use TouchScreen Games
• Easy to use Touch Screen interface
• Large number of third party Accessories
• Great as an all round multimedia device

Cons:

• Cannot customise the interface apart from the wallpaper
• No widget support
• Limited multi tasking
• Developers are very restricted with strict rules on the Apple App market
• No plans for Flash support
• Limited options for handsets
• No capacity expansions available

Blackberry 6

Blackberry 6 is RIM’s newest operating system for its vast range of handsets, there has been a number of improvents over the last version of the operating system. Blackberry currently holds the second position for number of new smartphone handsets purchased.

Pros:

• Phsyical keyboards on the majority of devices
• Good for Email & Messaging
• Battery lasts long
• Lots of corporate support
• Most devices have good speakers for conferencing

Cons:

• Interface is still clunky and outdated
• Limted number of applications and developers
• Small screens are not good for multimedia playback
• Hardware is not very powerfull

If you have any questions or feel I’ve missed anything out, please feel free to get in touch by tweeting @tugsearch