Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Mobile operating systems
Android : Android is the open source mobile OS (developed by Google and
Open Handset Alliance and released in 2007) that powers smartphones of the
last generation. The main manufacturers of such phones are Samsung, HTC,
Sony, LG, and Motorola. Android-equipped devices were developed to be the
competitors of the Apple iPhone; they share a similar touch interface and the
same orientation towards the development of applications made by third party
developers to meet any user's need. Apps can be downloaded from an online
store called Google Play.
iOS : iOS is Apple's mobile OS used on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Ap-
pleTV. Released in 2007, iOS is based on OSX, the operating system running
on Mac PCs. Like OSX, it is closed source and proprietary to Apple devices.
It uses the Cocoa Touch interface for use solely with touch screen technology.
It shares the benefits of OSX's stability and rapid development, as well as the
capability of easy porting between iOS and OSX.
Windows Phone : This is a proprietary OS developed by Microsoft. It replaced
its predecessor Windows Mobile in 2010. The latest version (Windows Phone
8) has many common features and components with Windows 8 which facil-
itates moving apps between the two. It is possible to port Windows Phone
games to iOS and Android using tools, libraries, and resources made avail-
able by Microsoft.
Java ME : Java ME is an open source, free-to-use OS, developed by Sun Mi-
crosystems. It is a trimmed-down version of Java so it can run on any Java-
enabled device. It is very popular among developers due to its ease of use
and that its games don't need porting to run on various devices. There is a
vast community that supports Java with tools, code libraries, and instruction.
Though not as popular in the US as it once was, it is still in use in Eurasia and
South America.
BlackBerry : This is a proprietary OS developed by RIM for its line of smart-
phones that mainly aim at the enterprise market. Thanks to its peculiar instant
messaging and push e-mail features, and to high level security protocols as
well, BlackBerry smartphones are the devices of choice for people who need
a reliable handset to support their business needs.
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