Q&A: Will anything replace iOS or Android in the near future?

Currently and previously there are many alternatives to iOS and Android, but they are having problems with gaining developers’ interest and user base.

1. Symbian OS. If you have a Nokia smart feature phone with Nokia Ovi App Store instaled it means that the feature phone is powered by Symbian. Symbian also powers many feature phones around the world.
2. MeeGo. This OS is also preinstalled in some Nokia phones (before acquired by Microsoft). Now, MeeGo’s source code are used for some projects such as Tizen and Sailfish OS.
3. Tizen. This OS is built by companies such as Samsung and Intel, as well as the Linux foundation. Currently, this OS is preinstalled in some Samsung smartphones in India, most of Samsung Gear smartwatches and recent Samsung Smart TVs. Tizen is based from MeeGo, plus Samsung’s Bada and Linux’s LiMo.
4. Sailfish OS. Made by Jolla, a company which is founded by former Nokia employees, uses MeeGo’s source code as the core of the OS. Sailfish OS can also run some Android apps, but with limited support because of lack of Google Play Services and other Google Play apps, such as the Google Play Store.
5. Microsoft Windows Mobile (version < 7) and Windows Phone (version 7 and up). Windows Mobile powers most of the PDA devices before the release of iPhone, but Windows Phone powers Nokia’s Lumia smartphones. The main differences are the User Interface and how the app is installed. For Windows Mobile, you can just run the normal .exe files, while in Windows Phone the apps are Windows 8 Apps and Universal Windows 10 Apps. One of the main problems that may cause a lack of interest on this OS is limited third-party app support and the only office suite (Microsoft Office) that now requires a subscription fee.
6. Ubuntu Phone (formerly Ubuntu Touch). Made by Canonical and some contributors, and brings the entire Ubuntu into a smartphone. Ubuntu Touch has a unique feature called Scopes, which would compete with Google Now Cards to show current information nearby. Meanwhile, the lack of app support and a home screen may cause users to refrain from using it.
7. BlackBerry OS 4-7.1 and BlackBerry 10.
   BB OS 4-7.1 are based on Java, but BB10 is based on QNX (QT, C++ and Java) which is developed by BlackBerry. QNX also powers the BlackBerry PlayBook devices. BlackBerry 10 UI is similar to Sailfish OS and MeeGo. Same with Sailfish OS, BB10 can run Android Apps without Google Play Services.
8. KDE Plasma Mobile. This is a new project by KDE, which aims to support native Linux apps as well as Tizen, Android, and other Mobile OS’ apps. This project is experimental, but it is a good idea to be implemented later.
9. Firefox OS and B2G OS. Firefox OS is developed by Mozilla for some smartphones, meanwhile B2G OS is developed by Mozilla volunteers and contributors. B2G OS is created due to the statement that Mozilla stops Firefox OS for smartphones in 2016. Firefox OS now runs on a Panasonic Smart TV, while B2G OS runs on Firefox OS-powered smartphones and some Android devices. There are many technical differences between these OSes, but it’s still an interesting project to create “The Web is the Platform”.

As you can see, there are many alternatives that may take over iOS and Android. Each of these OSes have their potential. These OSes may be (re)used as an alternative when one of iOS and Android falls.