Platform / OS

(Operating System)

The "core" software that controls the basic operation of an electronic device. Examples include Windows and Mac OS for PCs, and Palm OS and Symbian for mobile devices.

More advanced OS platforms for mobile devices, such as Symbian (including Series 60 and UIQ), Windows Mobile, and Palm OS, allow full software applications to run on top of the OS, such as games, organizer applications, and communication applications.

Standardized OS platforms also provide a consistent user interface (UI) across devices from different hardware manufacturers.