Overview
This lecture explains the differences between general purpose and specialized mobile devices, focusing on how mobile operating systems are optimized for their hardware and use cases.
Types of Mobile Devices
- General purpose devices include tablets and smartphones, capable of running many types of applications.
- Specialized mobile devices include fitness monitors, e-readers, and smartwatches, designed for specific tasks.
Mobile Operating Systems
- General purpose mobile devices use mobile operating systems derived from desktop/server OSs.
- Android is based on Linux; iOS shares core components with Mac OS.
- Mobile OSs are optimized to extend battery life by reducing unnecessary features and apps.
User Interaction and Hardware Support
- Mobile devices use motion, touch, and voice interfaces, requiring specific drivers and OS support.
- Specialized device OSs are even more minimal to run on limited hardware and battery power.
- Such devices may use custom chips and peripherals unsupported by general-purpose OSs.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Mobile Operating System — Software managing mobile device hardware and software resources, optimized for power efficiency and touch interaction.
- Device Driver — Software that allows the OS to communicate with hardware devices.
- General Purpose Mobile Device — Device capable of multiple tasks, like smartphones and tablets.
- Specialized Mobile Device — Device designed for specific functions, such as fitness trackers or e-readers.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the differences between mobile and desktop operating systems.
- Be able to list examples of general purpose and specialized mobile devices.