Explanation of Android and Symbian
Android and Symbian are both mobile operating systems (OS) that are used to power smartphones and other mobile devices.
Android is an open-source operating system developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. It is based on the Linux kernel and is designed primarily for touchscreen devices such as smartphones and tablets. Android is the most popular mobile OS in the world, with over 2 billion active devices as of 2021. It also has a large and active developer community that creates and maintains a wide range of apps and games for the platform.
Symbian, on the other hand, is a proprietary OS developed by Symbian Limited (formerly a joint venture of Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, and Psion). It was primarily used in smartphones developed by Nokia, and it was the most widely used mobile OS in the world before the rise of Android and iOS. However, the adoption of Symbian has significantly declined since 2010 and Nokia has since switched to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS. Today, Symbian is considered a legacy mobile OS with very limited use.
Purpose of comparing the Android and Symbian
The purpose of comparing Android and Symbian is to understand the technical, market and usage differences between the two operating systems. By understanding these differences, individuals and organizations can make informed decisions about which operating system to choose for their mobile devices and development projects.
Some of the main reasons to compare these two operating systems include:
- To understand the technical capabilities and limitations of each OS, and how they compare in terms of performance, security, and scalability.
- To evaluate the market trends and adoption rates of each OS, and how they compare in terms of available devices, apps, and support.
- To analyze the pros and cons of each OS, and how they compare in terms of user experience, development ease, and cost.
Additionally, comparing Android and Symbian can also provide insights into the evolution of mobile operating systems and how they have shaped the mobile industry over the years.
Difference Between Android and Symbian
Technical Differences
There are several technical differences between Android and Symbian that are worth noting:
- Operating system architecture: Android is based on the Linux kernel and uses the Dalvik virtual machine to run apps, while Symbian is based on a proprietary kernel and uses a different virtual machine to run apps.
- Hardware requirements: Android requires a specific set of hardware components to run, such as a processor, memory, and storage, while Symbian can run on a wider range of hardware configurations.
- Application development: Android uses Java as its primary programming language, and apps are developed using Android Studio or other development tools. Symbian, on the other hand, uses C++ as its primary programming language and development tools such as Carbide.c++ and Qt Creator.
- UI/UX design: Android has a distinct Material Design aesthetic, which is a visual language that emphasizes depth and simplicity. Symbian, on the other hand, has a more traditional and functional user interface.
- Security: Android has a more open-source nature, with more vulnerabilities found and reported. Symbian, being a closed-source, had a more controlled environment.
It’s worth noting that these are general differences and specific implementations may vary.
Market Differences
There are several market differences between Android and Symbian that are worth noting:
- Popularity and market share: Android is currently the most popular mobile operating system in the world, with over 85% market share as of 2021. Symbian, on the other hand, has seen a significant decline in market share and is considered a legacy mobile OS with very limited use.
- Available devices: Android is available on a wide range of devices from various manufacturers such as Samsung, OnePlus, Google, and many more. Symbian, on the other hand, was primarily used in smartphones developed by Nokia, and it is not widely used in new devices today.
- Support and updates: Android has a large and active developer community that creates and maintains a wide range of apps and games for the platform. Google also releases regular updates to the Android operating system, which helps to keep devices secure and up to date. Symbian, on the other hand, has limited support and updates, as the majority of the devices running on Symbian are no longer supported.
It’s worth noting that the market scenario has changed significantly since Symbian’s peak time and the comparison is mainly for historical context.
Pros and Cons
There are several pros and cons to using Android and Symbian as a mobile operating system, which can be summarized as follows:
Pros of using Android:
- Large and active developer community: There are millions of developers around the world creating and maintaining a wide range of apps and games for the Android platform.
- Wide range of devices: Android is available on a wide range of devices from various manufacturers, which means that there is a device for every budget and preference.
- Regular updates: Google releases regular updates to the Android operating system, which helps to keep devices secure and up to date.
- Customizability: Android is an open-source platform, which means that users can customize their devices to suit their needs and preferences.
Cons of using Android:
- Fragmentation: Because of the wide range of devices and versions of Android, it can be difficult for developers to ensure that their apps work correctly on all devices.
- Security: Due to the open-source nature, Android devices are more vulnerable to malware and other security threats.
Pros of using Symbian:
- Wide range of devices: Symbian was available on a wide range of devices, including smartphones, PDAs, and other mobile devices.
- Customizability: Symbian was a relatively open platform and allowed users to customize their devices to suit their needs and preferences.
Cons of using Symbian:
- Limited support and updates: The majority of the devices running on Symbian are no longer supported, and there is limited support and updates for the platform.
- Limited developer community: The developer community for Symbian is much smaller compared to Android and iOS, which means that there are fewer apps and games available for the platform.
- Limited market share: Symbian’s market share has significantly declined and is considered a legacy mobile OS with very limited use.
It’s worth noting that the above are general pros and cons, and specific implementations may vary.
Conclusion
Android and Symbian are both mobile operating systems that have been used to power smartphones and other mobile devices. However, they have significant technical, market and usage differences.
Android is currently the most popular mobile operating system in the world, with over 85% market share as of 2021. It is based on the Linux kernel and is designed primarily for touchscreen devices such as smartphones and tablets. It has a large and active developer community, wide range of devices and regular updates. However, it also has issues of fragmentation and security vulnerabilities.
Symbian, on the other hand, is a proprietary OS that was primarily used in smartphones developed by Nokia. It has seen a significant decline in market share and is considered a legacy mobile OS with very limited use. It was relatively open platform and allowed users to customize their devices, but it has limited support and updates, a smaller developer community and limited market share.
When choosing a mobile operating system, it’s important to consider the specific requirements and use cases of your project or device. For most scenarios, Android would be the preferred choice due to its popularity, developer community and the wide range of devices.
