Mobile operating systems have come far in the last 15 years. From dull screens with no Internet connection, to the mini-computers that we have today, the changes have been staggering. [x]cubeLABS has a graphic on its site displaying the progression of several mobile operating systems over the years.
For a full-sized look at the chart, check out The Evolution of Mobile Operating Systems at [x]cubeLABS.
I’ve used a couple versions of Palm OS, Windows Mobile, iOS, and now Android. How many of the operating systems have you used? Do you have a favorite?
[Disclaimer: the creator of the chart previously sponsored a text link here at 40Tech a month or two ago, but we’re writing about this chart because we think it is pretty darn cool.]
Daryl says:
I had a HP Palmtop PC (likely a HP 320Lx) which ran Win CE1 and then Win CE2 as I recall.
I also had an earlyish Palm device.
I still have both of these along with some other older kit in a box in my loft for the purposes of boring my kids with tales of “we didn’t have x in my day” when they are older. Much akin to my father’s “we were too poor to have fish every week, all we had was a kipper nailed to a door…” etc etc.
P.S. As well as missing out the CE range they also got the iOS 4 date wrong (June 2011 – ie in 3 months time)!
March 9, 2011 — 10:29 am
xcubelabs says:
We have chosen to include mobile OS’s which has seen some sort of commercialization. We have included mobile OS which have some how influenced the app development industry in the long run.
The updated infographic is at http://www.xcubelabs.com/evolution-of-mobile-operating-systems.php and the iOS 4 date typo has been fixed.
April 6, 2011 — 8:05 am
Kosmo @ The Soap Boxers says:
No love for Newton OS? I picked up an original Newton in around 2000 (at which time it was obsolete and cheap).
@ Daryl – I have a Mac Plus and a couple of SEs to “entertain” the kids (age 3 and 1) in another decade.
March 9, 2011 — 11:56 am
Maria Pavel says:
I don’t like surfing the internet from my mobile phone. The main reason is that most websites look bad or have only half working features. The second reason is that i made once a website and had to make it work on mobiles, but when i took a look at the huge list with operating systems… well, let’s just say i have a small phobia since then. :)
March 10, 2011 — 11:47 pm
Daryl says:
@Maria – it is of course a little easier nowadays with mobile browsers more able to render websites – plus of course those built on WordPress with the appropriate plugin that render in a special mobile version.
March 11, 2011 — 3:04 am
Evan Kline says:
I prefer desktop surfing, too, although mobile browsing has gotten much better. My Android phone with a custom ROM is downright zippy now, especially over wifi.
I’m like you Daryl- I’ve kept many of my old devices sitting around. I think I have my old Palm Pilots, plus a Treo, AT&T Tilt (Windows Mobile), and an iPhone 3G.
March 15, 2011 — 5:18 pm