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6 Terrific Smartphone Operating Systems that are Not Android [or iOS ]
en.softonic.com ^ | Apr 20, 2017 | By Patrick Devaney

Posted on 08/07/2018 11:08:21 AM PDT by Red Badger

Without any shadow of doubt, Android and IOS have dominated the operating systems market for the past few years. This is because they offer a high level of compatibility and flawless support for mobile application. Compatibility and support are what individuals are looking for above all else. However, did you know that there are operating systems other than Android and IOS that offer the same or even better functionalities? Here is a comprehensive list to check out:

Ubuntu Touch

On the outlook, Ubuntu Touch mimics any other operating system. While Ubuntu Touch trails Android in certain aspects, the latest crop of fixes could well be the platform for a new OS showdown. The new updates include:

Improved updates panel: That allows you to keep track of new updates and witness the changes they bring in real time. Improved Emoji keyboard: The last Emoji keyboard was daunting to navigate. The new version is pretty easy to sort through and find the right Emoji that suits the moment. Calendar synchronization: The new OS adds support for iCal and CalDAV. It also allows you to synchronize many calendars through your Google accounts and your own cloud. New notifications panel: Brings on board refined notification settings. The new notification setting lets you choose which specific app notifies you with sound, vibration, or notification bubble

Amazon Fire OS

Amazon Fire OS is based on Android operating system. It’s produced by Amazon and specially designed for Amazon’s Fire Phone and Kindle Fire range of Smartphones and tablets. This operating system mainly focuses on content consumption. It comes with a fortified user interface and tailored to make content available from Amazon’s storefronts and services. Some of the newest updates to the OS include:

Compatibility with current Android apps than ever before: Which means a lot of your apps would work on fires devices without added engineering effort. Free compatibility testing within 90 seconds: This means you only need to drag and drop your Android APK into the App Testing Service to find out your compatibility results. Amazon Rapids: Is considered a game changer for Amazon. Amazon Rapids is a reading app specifically geared towards children. Stories are told to children in the style of chat sessions. Alex video support: An app that’s able to search games, audio books, TV shows and movies on Amazon video.

Firefox OS

Firefox OS is designed by Mozilla for Smartphone, tablets and Smart TVs. It was first released for sale in 2013.Firefox OS focuses on HTML5 technology to go in line with devices capabilities such as SMS and Bluetooth support. It comes with added features such as:

Highly optimized for low-end hardware, meaning manufacturers can use it for free to produce devices that piece together low cost and high degree of functionality. It’s fully open source, which means it is community driven. Based on Linux and Mozilla’s Gecko technology Requires low battery capacity since the phone is intended to boot from the web and application to run on the web. It comes with three layers; Giaia- UI layer (uses open web APIs), Gecko- Application runtime services and Gonk- Linux Kernel and HAL from Android.

Tizen

Samsung introduced this new operating system after announcing that it would discontinue development of Bada operating system on 25th February 2013. Tizen has since gained a significant bite of share in the smartphone market. It’s now ranked the 4th largest Smartphone OS in the world. The biggest selling point of Tizen is that:

It provides 100% revenue to app developers. This is why most developers prefer it Tizen is an open source OS, which means any company or individual, can join and initiate any modification.

However, its greatest challenge will be attracting customers from Android and iOS operating systems.

Sailfish OS

Sailfish OS is developed by the Finish mobile company Jolla Ltd. and the Sailfish OS community. Some of its key features that worry the top operating system developers include:

Linux friendly: It utilizes Linux platform, which means it’s stable, perfect for Smartphones and can be modified with relative ease. Hardware ready: Adding hardware is relatively easy. It’s also easy to replace a part. Gesture controls and multitasking: Upgraded from button clicks to swipes. Ease of unlocking the handset. You only need to double tap. All you need after unlocking is swiping to maneuver through applications.

Windows 10 Mobile

This is Microsoft’s operating system utilized in Smartphones and other mobile devices. This Operating system is based on Windows CE 5.2 kernel. In 2010, Microsoft inaugurated a new Smartphone platform known as Windows Phone 7. The release of Windows Phone 8.1 followed in 2014. The latest update is the Windows 10 mobile operating system. The greatest selling point of the Windows 10 Mobile operating system is the Cortana and search application. Cortana is now available in Spanish, Portuguese and French. Window 10 aspires to provide greater consistency with its counterparts for computers including:

Higher level synchronization of content An innovative global application platform that lets a single app to operate on multiple Windows 10 devices like mobile devices, PCs, and Xbox Freedom to upgrade your Windows 8.1 Smartphone to the latest Windows 10 mobile subject to the manufacturer’s approval and support


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Education; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: android; apple; ios; smartphone
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To: Red Badger

I love the old Blackberry OS, and still use it on my BB Classic, even though it’s not supported any longer. If I’m planning on a road trip, I’ll move the SIM card from the Classic to the Android Priv. Once I return home, SIM card returns its “home” in the Classic.


21 posted on 08/07/2018 1:17:22 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam (Have an A-1 day.)
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To: MayflowerMadam

I’m surprised it still works.....................


22 posted on 08/07/2018 1:19:14 PM PDT by Red Badger (July 2018 - the month the world learns the TRUTH......Q Anon)
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To: Red Badger

The basic BB operating system works — phone, text, navigation, wi-fi, browser, etc. Their browser is excellent — a thousand times better than Android’s! A lot of the apps have been discontinued and private developers aren’t spending time on new ones. But their navigation system automatically re-routed me around a traffic jam a couple weeks ago, so something is going one. A while ago I bought a new (never used) one on Amazon for backup. ... Out of my cold, dead hands ...


23 posted on 08/07/2018 1:34:48 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam (Have an A-1 day.)
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To: MayflowerMadam
So, you and Hillary have something in common?................
24 posted on 08/07/2018 1:38:59 PM PDT by Red Badger (July 2018 - the month the world learns the TRUTH......Q Anon)
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To: Red Badger

WHAT DOES RUSH SAY.?
HE KNOWS EVERYTHING.


25 posted on 08/07/2018 1:40:56 PM PDT by TribalPrincess2U (0bama's agenda�Divide and conquer seems to be working.?)
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To: Red Badger

I have a flip phone. Does any of this matter to me?


26 posted on 08/07/2018 1:44:07 PM PDT by Osage Orange (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot)
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To: Osage Orange

No, I suppose not..............


27 posted on 08/07/2018 1:52:43 PM PDT by Red Badger (July 2018 - the month the world learns the TRUTH......Q Anon)
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To: TribalPrincess2U

He’s an Apple only guy.................


28 posted on 08/07/2018 1:55:47 PM PDT by Red Badger (July 2018 - the month the world learns the TRUTH......Q Anon)
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To: Red Badger

OMG.


29 posted on 08/07/2018 2:03:42 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam (Have an A-1 day.)
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To: Osage Orange

My wife then, bought the 1997 Moto flip phone for me.

It was like a Sherman Tank re taking punishment. It was a secret weapon which you could not hide because of its size.

10 years later after a decade of use, it and I took an unplanned swim in a local lake. I was trying a fly fishing pram, that was called off the market after I and others had similar experiences. It never worked after the swim, even with the dry rice trick.

I have been through at least 7 androids since then. Taking pictures and texting are nice extras and reading/sending emails.

My androids’ and my wife’s just seem to die after a year or so. We don’t drop nor abuse them. A good Samsung can be bought from Trac phones for a little over $100. My wife says that equals about $8.50/month for a fast phone.


30 posted on 08/07/2018 2:14:50 PM PDT by Grampa Dave ( Mexico's elite/white conquistadors have manipulated & interfered in our elections, since Ike!)
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To: DEPcom

I’m holding out for the Surface phone, as well. I’ve been through two 950s, one of which survived a 30 second pool dive, and now trying out an Alcatel 4S, which I really like (4g ram and that cost $100 new on an MS Store sale).


31 posted on 08/07/2018 2:59:49 PM PDT by nicollo (I said no!)
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To: Red Badger; ShadowAce

PING


32 posted on 08/07/2018 3:31:08 PM PDT by Swordmaker (My pistol self-identifies as an iPad, so you must accept it in gun-free zones, you hoplaphobe bigot!)
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To: Paine in the Neck
Which one tracks me the least?

Apple. . . hands down. However, keep in mind the carriers track everyone. Encrypt what you send automatically through Apple's Messages App. There's not much you can do about phone calls. Apple does not track ads, where you go, or personal data for sale to third parties. Google does through its Android OS, and through Google ads, and through use of Google Play Store apps, and in app ads.

33 posted on 08/07/2018 3:40:42 PM PDT by Swordmaker (My pistol self-identifies as an iPad, so you must accept it in gun-free zones, you hoplaphobe bigot!)
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To: nicollo

I am hoping for the Surface PHone.. How is the Alcatel4s? My 950 has been good to me, miss my 920 that was another great phone.


34 posted on 08/07/2018 3:46:23 PM PDT by DEPcom
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To: DEPcom

After 2 yrs of excellent service from my 950, I began to have too much trouble w/ the battery issues (reboots and freezes). When after a 3rd battery didn’t work out I turned to the Alcatel S4 that I bought on spec last winter on an MS Store sale.

I’m VERY pleased with this phone. It’s much faster than the 950 as it’s double the Ram, and I have no problems w/ the photo qualities as others have complained about it.

My only complaints are:
- camera launch button is hard to press (easily resolved by putting a camera tile on my start screen)
- power button is opposite the vol-up button on either side of the top, so I frequently hit both, when I only want to hit one, just because of the way I hold it, which takes a screen shot. Not a big deal.

The size and balance are great, and it has been very stable.

This phone has kept W10M alive for me, so I’m very grateful and will likely buy another just to have as backup.


35 posted on 08/07/2018 4:21:54 PM PDT by nicollo (I said no!)
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To: Snickering Hound
Thanks for the memories! 👍
36 posted on 08/07/2018 4:45:26 PM PDT by V V Camp Enari 67-68 (Viet Vet)
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To: Grampa Dave

I will have to “upgrade”...some day...HA!


37 posted on 08/07/2018 6:02:02 PM PDT by Osage Orange (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot)
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To: Red Badger

So?


38 posted on 08/08/2018 9:26:28 AM PDT by TribalPrincess2U (0bama's agenda�Divide and conquer seems to be working.?)
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To: TribalPrincess2U

He probably has no idea about other phones..............


39 posted on 08/08/2018 9:35:56 AM PDT by Red Badger (July 2018 - the month the world learns the TRUTH......Q Anon)
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To: Red Badger

I’m sure he knows. Why wouldn’t he?
He just happens to like the one he has.


40 posted on 08/08/2018 7:47:34 PM PDT by TribalPrincess2U (0bama's agenda�Divide and conquer seems to be working.?)
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