Smartphones may get all the attention, but mobile operating systems are the engines that drive our fast-paced communication. Most mobile users are divided in two camps: Android and iOS. ComScore reports that in May 2013, Android made up 52.4 percent of the smartphone market, while Apple owns 39.2 percent of the market.
But competition is hard at work. Blackberry, the former mobile giant which in January 2010 owned 43 percent of the smartphone market, has fallen all the way below 5 percent. A new operating system could turn the tide. Blackberry 10 is an overhauled platform that delivers a smooth performance, a robust app store and other modern features. Combined with two new smartphones, Blackberry 10 is the upgrade this former mobile giant needed to get back in the game.
BlackBerry and iPhone image by Janitors via Flickr.
The OS
Touch screens opened the door for gesture navigation, and Blackberry 10 depends almost entirely on swipe gestures. To close an app, for example, users pull up from the bottom of the screen to minimize it. It takes time to master, but these controls make for smooth navigation. The home screen resembles most smartphones with pages of apps lined up in rows. Slide to the left, however, and you’ll see a bigger view of your open apps, plural because Blackberry 10 supports multitasking. Slide to the left one more time and you’ll find essential functions: missed calls, messages and emails.
Blackberry has always been known for its quality keyboards, and even in virtual form, the Blackberry 10 keyboard shines. Blackberry includes word prediction technology on the keyboard throughout native apps. Start typing and possible words will appear just above the keyboard. Swipe the word in place and move on to the next. Blackberry 10 takes the best traits of more popular operating systems and adds a few wrinkles of its own. The result is a viable alternative to iOS and Android.
App World
New Smartphones
Kevin Steel
Kevin is a self-proclaimed tech geek who loves to write about mobile technology, gaming and entertainment.
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