Just a random thought on mobile operating systems

[dlock13]

Just because I prefer iOS now, doesn't mean I will in 6 months.

Probably one of the most sensible comments I have ever read regarding mobile operating systems.

These two posts from the SGS4 thread brought me to create this one.

It's funny I've tried iOS, WP7/8, Android (1.6-4.2), BB OS, WebOS, and WinMo over the course of my life. I've tried a whole lot of devices. I've tried so many different pieces of hardware with various OSes. However, when it comes to a desktop/laptop, it's either Windows or OSX (Linux is still a niche as far as I see it). I mean think about what is currently taking place in this industry. There are so many different operating systems out there each with it's very own specific application programming, markets, source of revenue, and vast differences but similarities. Sure, we can simplify it down to each has it's own music store, video store, and application store for their own revenue. They all have their own separate accessories.

But do you think this world will grow into each operating system encompassing so much more? We have iPads, Surfaces, Playbooks, Nexus, TouchPads, etc.. Each has their benefits and downfalls. Most consumers still view this world as Windows vs. Mac. Mobile operating systems have grown to the point where they can be your go to device for every purpose or as an extension to an already founded system (desktop/notebook).

Do you think the choices of having any mobile OS is more or less beneficial than having 2 operating systems we've been using for the past 20 years? Personally, I love the fact that we have choice, but that choice comes at a price. App purchases aren't compatible across the spectrum. They're tied to that specific operating system. The money you spend on let's say certain games on Steam works on both OSX and Windows, but the money you spend on any app on BB, Android, or iOS only works on a specific set of devices. Android encompasses a vast array while BB and iOS only have a bucket full.

I'm not trying to debate what OS is better. I'm just trying to give you a random view. What happens when iOS, Android, Windows, ChromeOS, BBOS become so much more, and instead of the desktop/laptop we're used to with Windows and Mac, we have laptops and desktops where it's typical to be using iOS for 100% everything from intense applications such as Photoshop to games being played on solely your Android tablet on your big screen via Miracast? Heck, I haven't even touched on wearable computing (Google Glass, smartwatches, etc.) which seems to be a trend we're going towards now and in the upcoming years.

I realize this post reads more as what should have been posted 2-3+ years ago, but I just wanted to see what others thoughts are on this subject. I know we are getting there as a society to one of the points I'm trying to state in all of this. But what do you think, AT? Where do you see us as a society in 10-20 years? What devices are we going to be using? What operating systems will be the ones that take over from the standard desktop/laptop paradigm?

 

[Oyeve]

It will always be brand X Vs brand Y. Which is good as competition is a great thing. I recall back in the 70s and early 80s when the Atari 2600 was all we had for a while. Their games ended up being shit because there was no competition until coleco and others came out with systems. The smartphone market only took off when there was competition. Even those who claim apple was first must admit the first iphone was shit until google showed android.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I do think we will eventually have operating system that will run on everything from our mobile phones to our desktops. Windows 8 already runs on tablets, laptops and desktops and I think is a pretty good first step. Someone has even shown Windows 8 running an an Atom based phone. So Microsoft seems to have taken the first big and brave step in the direction (and with a lot of criticism for it).

Google just this week pulled Andy Rubin from Android and put the guy in charge of Chrome OS in charge of Android as well. So that certainly has us thinking Google wants to working moving these to operating systems closer together. To me it always seemed odd that Chrome OS didn't have Google Play and the ability to run Android apps. Maybe it will in the future.

Apple seems to be letting iOS get stagnant. I think they've been so successful with it that they've been scared to tamper with what has been working so well for them up to this point. But I can see eventually iOS and OSX perhaps becoming a single OS in the future as well.


I worry a bit about Google though. Their biggest competition had been Apple. But I think they might have more problems with Microsoft soon. Already Windows 8 tablets are looking like very attractive alternatives to Android tablets. I think the main thing hold them back is driver issues and the Intel processors. But the drivers will get better. And next generation Atoms will provide a lot more performance and next generation Core i processors will offer better battery life. Windows may steal a lot of Android's tablet share in the near future.

Then all Microsoft really needs to do is get Windows Phone and Windows 8 using the same Market and apps and bring these two things together to start invading Android's phone dominance.

 

[bonkers325]

Looking at desktops, there are pretty much three major factions: those who want it to be simple and work well (OS X) and those who just want it to work and don't really care about the tech specs (Windows) and the power users who know what they want and know what they need (*nix).

In the mobile world, it's iOS and WP8 in the "simple+works well" category, Android in the "it works and I dont really care how" category, and BB in the "my company makes me use BB" category. Power users who know what they want and know what they need can use any of these operating systems, but in general Android is dominant for this sector because it's so mod-friendly.

Eventually I think Android will come out on top as it is the most flexible of the operating systems and has a large market share with the demographic that matters - the people who just want it to work and don't really care about the specs behind the system. It's the same as Windows.

 

[bonkers325]

I worry a bit about Google though. Their biggest competition had been Apple. But I think they might have more problems with Microsoft soon. Already Windows 8 tablets are looking like very attractive alternatives to Android tablets. I think the main thing hold them back is driver issues and the Intel processors. But the drivers will get better. And next generation Atoms will provide a lot more performance and next generation Core i processors will offer better battery life. Windows may steal a lot of Android's tablet share in the near future.

The thing holding Google back is the lack of true productivity apps that Windows and OSX has. All Google needs to do is penetrate the desktop market with real productivity applications and they will have the seed they need to branch Android out as a desktop OS. We're not talking about something like Ubuntu which is predominantly used by tech-savvy people. It'll be something for the masses, with huge community support via XDA, and lots of people developing for it.

 

[Ravynmagi]

The thing holding Google back is the lack of true productivity apps that Windows and OSX has. All Google needs to do is penetrate the desktop market with real productivity applications and they will have the seed they need to branch Android out as a desktop OS. We're not talking about something like Ubuntu which is predominantly used by tech-savvy people. It'll be something for the masses, with huge community support via XDA, and lots of people developing for it.

Google has productivity apps on Chrome OS and the web. I just don't think Google will be able to unseat Window's dominance in the office. And since people are using Office and Windows at work they'll like continue using them at home as well. Google Docs and Chrome OS/Android could compete, but it looks like an uphill battle for Google.

 

[Red Storm]

If any of them is going to become an all encompassing OS, it would be Android.

 

[s44]

The thing holding Google back is the lack of true productivity apps that Windows and OSX has. All Google needs to do is penetrate the desktop market with real productivity applications and they will have the seed they need to branch Android out as a desktop OS.

I agree, but Google's current bizarre obsession with Chrome (perhaps because it's closed-source?) is holding them back. Chrome, in your schema, is a simple+works well platform... which doesn't cut it for productivity use.

I want KLP to have a flat-out desktop mode.

 

[bonkers325]

Google has productivity apps on Chrome OS and the web. I just don't think Google will be able to unseat Window's dominance in the office. And since people are using Office and Windows at work they'll like continue using them at home as well. Google Docs and Chrome OS/Android could compete, but it looks like an uphill battle for Google.

If all I ever needed was basic spreadsheet and word document functionality, I could survive on a netbook or docked tablet as my work horse. But until commercial software is widely available and functional on multiple operating systems, Windows will never be unseated as the main desktop OS. The CAD and modeling software we use runs only on Windows. We can program our own modeling software, but it will be a barebones command-line interface type of program... which just doesn't cut it nowadays. The same applies to a lot of software that many businesses use day-to-day.

 

[bonkers325]

I agree, but Google's current bizarre obsession with Chrome (perhaps because it's closed-source?) is holding them back. Chrome, in your schema, is a simple+works well platform... which doesn't cut it for productivity use.

I want KLP to have a flat-out desktop mode.

Chrome is their stab at a sandbox type of OS with limited basic productivity applications.

Google needs to figure out a way to get commercial software to run on their flagship OS. Even if they do it with something like WINE. Without commercial software, any desktop OS they churn out is useless.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I want KLP to have a flat-out desktop mode.

Me too.

It is crazy that Google's mobile OS has more functionality then their desktop OS.

 

[pm]

Do you think the choices of having any mobile OS is more or less beneficial than having 2 operating systems we've been using for the past 20 years? Personally, I love the fact that we have choice, but that choice comes at a price. App purchases aren't compatible across the spectrum. They're tied to that specific operating system. The money you spend on let's say certain games on Steam works on both OSX and Windows, but the money you spend on any app on BB, Android, or iOS only works on a specific set of devices. Android encompasses a vast array while BB and iOS only have a bucket full.

This all reminds me of the computer industry in the 80's. Back then there were all these different computer companies designing all different computers with all different operating systems and you'd go to the computer store and think "Wow. Paradroid looks really cool, but I need to buy a Commodore 64 to play it" or" MidiMaze (the first deathmatch shooter) looks great but I need an Atari ST... and a bunch of other friends with Atari ST's to play it". There were so many competing platforms with so many competing applications for them.

I think at the end of the day it will come down to two competing platforms - probably iOS and Android, but I don't think that's completely determined yet. Google could try to merge Chrome and Android and Motorola in such a way that it shuts out Samsung. Amazon could decide that they don't have enough control over Android on Fire that they decide to go their own way... and Amazon has content which is something that a lot of the other players lack.

It's certainly an interesting time. One thing that makes it different than the 1980's is that you can easily own a couple of different OS products. So if you want to own an iPad Mini and a Kindle Fire and a Nexus 7, you are looking at roughly $700. But I distinctly remember the Commodore 64 that I bought in the late 80's cost $700 which is $1470 in 2012 dollars. So back then, you picked one and you stuck with it... because a IBM PC XT with a 20MB hard disk was going to set you back the equivalent of $3700 2012 dollars. And apps are a lot cheaper than the games and software back then too - adjusting for inflation, software prices are so much cheaper it's unreal.

 

[Jodell88]

I agree, but Google's current bizarre obsession with Chrome (perhaps because it's closed-source?) is holding them back. Chrome, in your schema, is a simple+works well platform... which doesn't cut it for productivity use.

I want KLP to have a flat-out desktop mode.

To clarify Chrome and Chrome OS is not really closed source because there's the corresponding Chromium projects for them. Google adds in a little extra code and branding and Google Chrome and Chrome OS is released.