OS Wars: Windows OS Vs Symbian OS
December 11, 2008
Competition is a natural phenomenon in the free market economy. The consumers are provided with wide choices of products and services in the market. There are many players who offer their brands of products and services to the people in every sphere of economic life. Computer, the omnipresent reality in the modern world, along with its various applications are also subjected to this proactive phenomenon.
Take the case of the operating system. Operating System (OS) is the programme that controls the basic functions of a computer. In fact it is the force that makes things work. The graphical user interface (GUI) is an integrated part of the operating system and is considered as the soul of the computer. But for the GUI, the user of the computer may not be able to collect information or make use of the programmes.
It is well known that Microsoft Windows are being used widely in the personal computers. The series of operating systems and graphical user interfaces are actually holding a near monopoly position in the PC market. In the year 2004, market surveys revealed that Microsoft users constitute about 90 per cent of the consuming world, as far as PCs are concerned. There are many versions of Microsoft Windows for computer users to choose from. The trend continued even when the computer enabled mobile phones were introduced in the market. But then Symbian operating system entered the market. They are designed for mobile devices with associated libraries and user interfaces. Jointly promoted by Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola and Psion this innovative operating system targets mobile devices rather than PCs. In the smart phone sector the symbian operating system is reigning supreme, successfully competing with the Microsoft products. In a recent survey it was found that Symbian operating system have market share of 40 per cent in the mobile sector while Microsoft systems have only 13 per cent. Many other competitors are also present in this competitive market. Symbian has many advantages to attract the customers. This operating system enables the users to surf internet without causing hindrance to phone conversations.
Another special feature of the Symbian systems is the adaptability to Global Positioning System (GPS), which has become an integral part of the smart phones. The users have found multiple advantages in this operating system, which is superior to other products in the same category. Reliability, speed and memory management are superb, according to users. Windows based applications require faster CPUs to achieve efficiency equivalent to that of Symbian OS, but then it tends to burden the user with additional expenditures.
But the last word has yet to be told. In a scenario where new technologies are being developed to promote more and more user friendly applications, the companies like Microsoft and Symbian will pursue their efforts to cater the never ending needs of the computer users. The writing on the wall is very clear. Competitions in the market will continue for ever.
Which Mobile Phone Can Be Called a Smartphone?
December 10, 2008
The term smartphone is a vague expression. There is no such nomenclature in the terminology concerning mobile phones. A mobile phone incorporated with advanced technical features is referred to as smart phone in the commercial parlance. It all depends on the technical specifications involved in the making, as well as the capabilities of the product. What the consuming public knows is that, a smart phone is a very sophisticated instrument when compared to its earlier versions.
When the mobile phone with latest innovative features like calendar, address book, world clock, calculator, fax, e mail, note pad and games was introduced, the admiring world termed the product as smart phone for the first time. It happened in the year 1993. The evolving technology could provide more advanced features like touchscreen facility to the mobile phone, making the product a world class multipurpose device.
All leading manufacturers in the field of consumer electronics have developed their brands and models of smart phones. Ever since international market was opened up fuelling intense competition, the mobile phones of many models and designs with most innovative features have made their presence in the market. Very often, the consumers are confused or taken by surprise by the diverse characteristics of the products. In the early stages of its evolution, a mobile phone was intended for communication purposes only. In the past decade this compact portable device has undergone remarkable changes in its form and content offering extensive applications. Apart from its use as a basic telephone, the mobile phones expanded their territories to messaging, digital photography, picture blogging and email facility.
The smartphone is a much sought after product today in a world, which craves for more comforts and conveniences. The consumers are responsive to the utilitarian product that is capable of enhancing the comforts and making life resourceful. Choosing a product, especially when it is an innovative and sophisticated one requires caution. Shopping for a smart phone with multifarious features, which will obviously be an expensive deal should be a cautious exercise. As in the case of all other products and services, internet is the best source for shopping.
Finally, carrying out various actions in a smartphone, has now-a-days turned out to be pretty time saving and effective, due to the introduction of some of those technological enhancements like 3G (UMTS), HSDPA, WCDMA, etc in the field of communication data download. These enhancements, along with other niceties like QWERTY keyboards and multi-touch screens, not only proves to be a shot in the arm for the messaging oriented people, but also has turned out as a boon for the entertainment savvy.
Significance of 3G Technology in the Mobile Phone Sector
December 9, 2008
The prefix 3G (UMTS) represents ‘Third generation’ technology, based on the international telecommunication union standards. Introduction of this technology has given a new impetus to the mobile phone concepts making the device an advanced multifunctional instrument. It now offers the user, a wide range of facilities. The most important among them is the spectral efficiency. Faster and improved efficiency in the system has contributed to the availability of broadband internet in the mobile phone. This remarkable innovation has also made it possible to achieve extensive wireless telephony, video calls and broad band wireless data in the mobile phone. To be precise, the 3G technology has revolutionised the system to make it a complete, but compact device by providing easy access to internet and its multifarious applications.
This is a significant achievement in the progressive growth of the mobile phone technology. Consumers throughout the world have accepted the innovation with exciting response. In the UK, for example, more than 3.5 million mobile phone users have opted for it. The consumers have found a whole new idea in this system, which can substantially contribute towards the development of communication. Areas of educational and commercial applications of mobile telephony have expanded considerably.
Accessing internet through the smartphone has given a new dimension to the all pervasive internet usage. The 3G technology has successfully achieved faster service facilities. Developing a website or creating a blog is now easier than in the past. Desktops, which are stationary have certain limitations. When the mobile device could achieve the same output as its counterparts, it was a welcome change for the users. Convenience and cost advantage are a couple of remarkable features in the new system. To compound, a number of software developers have shown great interest in developing a handful of browsers that emphatically compliment the operating systems.
As already mentioned, impact of the 3G technology in the mobile phone sector will be substantial. Already the earlier versions of mobile phones have significant presence in the commercial activities in this fast moving world. 3G technology has defacto catapulted its importance to new horizons. In the globalised economy the role played by this compact device will be of great importance.
Mobile phone market is functioning in a highly competitive environment. The consumers have wider choices in the selection of the right device. As an expensive utility, the shopping requires care and caution. It is a well known fact that online shopping is a convenient and cheaper option of the day. The consumer can browse internet and locate a reliable and reputed online dealer to buy the product. Mobile phones with 3G technology incorporated in them are available in different brands and models. Other areas that have benefited from this aspect are; online entertainment, online messaging, online news network and online security. Among the lot, the entertainment savvy folk exults, for their breaking free from stodgy GPRS and EDGE to download large files in quick time. Finally, messaging sector also experiences a boom with more and more brands furnishing their flagship models with enhanced applications like Instant Messaging or Blackberry’s Push Email.
How Does a 5MP Camera Phone Support Picture Blogging?
December 8, 2008
Creating a blog is in fact, equivalent to writing an online journal, where the person concerned can publish letters and articles or exhibit photographs. This is only a vague definition. Those who are familiar with the internet and its various applications will be conversant with the art of creating blogs. To be precise, one can create a blog and express oneself through it. The person who owns the blog can get all the messages or ideas posted in the blog. It is similar to a website but with the difference that those who visit the blog can respond with their views and ideas. A blog generally contain thoughts and ideas of the person who owns it in the form of multimedia contents like digital videos, audios and images.
It is now obvious that creating a blog and posting ideas in it are carried out with internet support. The person who wants to create a blog should have access to internet, which implies that the pivotal role is played by the computer. How can a mobile phone do this job, is a matter to be answered by the technology involved in it. Introduction of camera phones with innovative ideas incorporated into it make the process work in this connection. The rapid progress of the technological strides and its consequent impact on the mobile phones created many new possibilities.
Mobile phone with a built-in digital camera was the first step towards achieving the task of blogging by the compact device. Wireless internet connectivity to the camera phone made the way clear for bloggers. Mobile blogging is nothing but clicking the camera to capture video and posting them in the internet. Integrated 5MP camera phones can easily do it, provided it is equipped with the necessary tools. Image stabiliser and video recording facility are to be incorporated in the camera phone along with blogging software. Most of the modern 5MP camera phones are equipped with all these facilities. An automatic lens cover, auto focus for providing sharpness to the picture and xenon flash for proper lighting are some of the essential components required in this context. The technology incorporated in 5MP camera phones can give perfection to the pictures shot, as well as facilitate access to broadband internet.
This is yet another positive aspect of the 5MP camera phone, which has attracted public attention largely by now. The portability of the camera phone has made it more convenient than the desktop computer. Picture blogging has become hassle free and convenient with the latest versions of the 5MP camera phones.
Geo Tagging With 5MP and 8MP Camera Phones
December 5, 2008
We come across innumerable photographs in the photo albums belonging to the past generations. Such photographs invoke the nostalgia of the viewers. They are reminded about the heritage that was handed over by the past generations for the benefits of the present. But unless there is someone to guide the viewers, it usually proves difficult to identify the persons, periods and occasions portrayed in such photographs. However, the past generations maintained some sort of continuity through personal communications for the benefit of the future generations. The process continues to a certain extent even today.
The progress made in the fields of science and technology contributed many innovative ideas to locate missing links. Geo tagging of photographs is one such contribution developed in the recent past to preserve the precious memories for the benefit of the posterity. The method adopted, is to add or attach geographical details to the photographs as and when they are taken. Geo specific data like location, latitude and longitude are provided to identify the photos. Facilities are available to provide more specific details like time, date and place, where they are being captured. Software also is available to mark the exact place, street and country along with other specific details. Latest innovations make it possible to provide details like shutter speed, aperture, focal length of the camera lens, etc.
In many models of digital cameras, facilities are provided to attach data to the photos automatically. In the absence of such inherent facility in the camera, a Global Positioning System receiver will have to be used. Invariably the GPS in the phone is used to geo tag the high resolution photos taken in the digital camera phone. The 5 mega pixel and 8 mega pixel camera phones with GPS capability can easily geo tag the pictures as and when they are clicked. Geo tagging can, not only provide the location and other details as mentioned earlier, but also help to locate the photos uploaded to the computer. The GPS data offered by the system will be stored in the image file of the camera.
The Geo tagging is a value added facility of the modern 8MP or 5MP camera phones. Even though, the dedicated digital cameras have their modern versions with tailor made software to geo tag the photographs, as and when they are taken, the similar facility in the innovative camera phones is definitely a remarkable feature considering the portability, versatility and user friendliness of such devices. No wonder the 8MP and 5MP camera phones are much sought after by the consumers these days, thanks to the technological up gradations adopted by the manufacturers.
