Buzz
PalmOS
Originally named Garnet OS, PalmOS was crafted by Palm Incorporated in 1996. Initially designed for personal digital assistants (PDAs), it served as a pioneering platform in the realm of digital devices.webOS
Introduced in 2009 by Palm, webOS made its debut on the Palm Pre smartphone. Later acquired by HP, it evolved into an open-source platform from 2010 to 2013, known as Open webOS. In 2013, LG Electronics purchased webOS. Today, webOS is renowned as an operating system for LG Smart TVs rather than a mobile platform.Symbian
When Symbian is mentioned, Nokia often comes to mind—a company that once thrived with this platform. In June 1998, Symbian OS emerged as a closed-source operating system for PDAs through a joint venture involving Psion and phone manufacturers Ericsson, Motorola, and Nokia. Derived from EPOC32, developed by Psion in the 1990s, Symbian quickly flourished due to its incredibly low licensing fees—around $5 for phones and $10 for Communicators. Its simple, user-friendly interface contributed to the widespread popularity during its golden age.
In 2008, Nokia made a strategic move by acquiring Symbian Ltd. Subsequently, the Symbian Foundation was established in 2009 with the ambitious plan to transform Symbian into an open platform.Windows Phone
Known for its distinctive square interface, optimal performance, seamless synchronization, smooth operation, stability, and affordability, Windows Phone captured the hearts of users. Once a formidable contender that raised concerns for Android and iOS, the unfortunate fate of Windows Phone leaves behind a sense of regret.In early 2004, the whispers of Windows Phone began, envisioning itself as an upgrade for Windows Mobile, codenamed 'Photon.' However, it wasn't until October 2010 that Microsoft officially unveiled Windows Phone, christening its inaugural version as Windows Phone 7.
Enter MeeGo
MeeGo, the moniker of another operating system under Nokia, quietly lingered in the shadows compared to its sibling, Symbian. The MeeGo project sprouted from the roots of its predecessor, Maemo, dating back to 2005. By February 2010, Intel and Nokia jointly introduced MeeGo at the Mobile World Congress. It marked an attempt to amalgamate Intel's former project, Moblin, and Nokia's Maemo into a unified initiative, propelling a fresh ecosystem of applications.
Nokia's inaugural venture into the MeeGo operating system territory was marked by the N9 in 2011. However, it was more of a fleeting encounter than a long-term commitment. The fateful partnership between Nokia and Microsoft swiftly turned MeeGo into an 'orphan' as Nokia abandoned its brainchild prematurely.Following Nokia's abandonment, MeeGo found new life under the care of Jolla, a company founded by former Nokia employees. It metamorphosed into Sailfish OS, paving its own path forward.Sailfish OS
In essence, Sailfish OS is considered an upgrade from the MeeGo 1.2 operating system to version 2.0. The first smartphone running Sailfish OS by Jolla was introduced in 2013, a year after the company's establishment.
Sailfish OS sets itself apart from its competitors in user interface; it is designed to minimize the use of buttons and menus. All interactions on the device happen instantly, simply swipe left or right on the screen to navigate between app pages. The main screen of this operating system not only displays icons like Android or iOS but also shows users corresponding 'windows' for open applications.Despite being open source, Sailfish OS is developed openly and truly 'open' for everyone to see, unlike Google's approach with Android.BlackBerry OS
The exclusive mobile operating system crafted by BlackBerry Ltd, powering the iconic BlackBerry phones. The maiden release of BlackBerry OS hit the shelves in November 1999 with the BlackBerry 850 Pager.
Regarded as the epitome of mobile security, BlackBerry OS has always been synonymous with safety. Mention BlackBerry, and you invoke not just a brand but a commitment to top-notch security. The operating system mirrors the device's dedication to safety and security, unwavering and paramount.There was a time when BlackBerry Ltd faced financial losses, almost appearing to sell itself to a Chinese technology conglomerate for acquisition. However, due to security concerns, the Canadian government intervened to prevent this from happening.In addition to its focus on security, the Canadian company once dominated the market with its distinctive physical keyboards, smooth interface, stability, and excellent support for productivity.In April 2016, BlackBerry OS was officially discontinued, and since then, BlackBerry has transitioned to using the Android platform as its primary operating system.Oceanic
The term Oceanic refers to the distinctive mobile operating system developed independently by Samsung, rooted in the open-source Linux framework and initially introduced in 2009. In Korean, Bada translates to ocean, symbolizing vast possibilities.
A standout feature of this operating system lies in its unparalleled flexibility and seamless connectivity with a wide array of devices. The Samsung Wave series gained prominence as a flagship mobile device running the innovative Bada OS.Despite fervent expectations, Samsung made the tough decision to discontinue Bada OS in 2013 and integrate Bada's applications into another operating system, namely Tizen.Revolutionary Firefox OS
Mozilla developed and launched Firefox OS in 2012, built on Linux for smartphones and tablets.Firefox OS embraces open standards and user-friendly technologies such as HTML5, JavaScript, and open web APIs to directly interact with the mobile hardware. One of the rare smartphones equipped with Firefox OS is the ZTE Open.In February 2016, Mozilla officially announced the conclusion of the Firefox OS project.KaiOS
KaiOS, a fascinating mobile operating system, is built on the Linux platform. First emerging in 2017, it's the brainchild of KaiOS Technologies Inc., a company based in San Diego, California. It's a spin-off from B2G (Boot to Gecko), an open-source successor based on Mozilla's discontinued Firefox OS.
The strength of KaiOS lies in its lightweight nature, leveraging web-based foundations, requiring minimal hardware or chips. KaiOS supports 4G LTE E, GPS, and Wi-Fi features, hosting applications based on HTML5 and ensuring extended battery life for non-touch devices.
For those who have explored various operating systems, feel free to share your experiences in the comments section below!
