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Mohammed is HiDef's go-to mobile applications developer, and his take on mobile operating systems is good fodder for discussion as more non-profits mobilize their programs and fundraising efforts.

Mobile operating systems are similar in concept to desktop operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and MacOS. However, they are simpler and more concerned with the limited resources of mobile devices such as memory (at least for now!). Another big difference: there are lots of different mobile operating systems out there, and they're getting smarter and smarter by the day. At HiDef, we believe in reaching a wider audience with our strategies for great causes through the use of these advanced mobile devices. The question is, for which operating system ("OS") should your non-profit organization develop? Which provides the maximum exposure and market penetration for your cause? There is no simple or definite answer, as ultimately this depends on your needs, as well as the smart phone OS climate, which is still in its infancy.

With this question in mind, let's review some of what's out there ordered by market share from the second quarter of 2009.

1. Symbian

Symbian OS, usually connected with Nokia devices (also having the largest smart phones market share), became fully open source when its associated user interfaces (S60, UIQ, MOAP) were contributed by their owners, unifying the OS into what is now known as the Symbian platform. The beauty of this OS/platform is its market penetration, as it is widely recognized as the world's most popular mobile operating system, though lagging when it comes to the North American market, as our next two operating systems show.

2. BlackBerry

The BlackBerry OS from RIM is a closed proprietary software platform, originally designed with a focus on business smart phone usage. However, it has seen improvements to its multimedia capabilities and retains a market share second only to Symbian. It's important to note, however, that several reports show a decline in sales.

3. iPhone

iPhone OS from Apple, is a derivative of the company's Mac OS X for desktops and laptops. The OS itself is closed, and it wasn't until version 2.0 of the OS that users were "normally" able to install applications on the device. I say normally because it was in 2008 that users were able to install third-party applications, something which almost all other mobile operating systems allowed long before. The iPhone OS introduced a user interface unlike any other, but I for one don't think their proprietary way of thinking will get them far, especially with Android out there (see #5).

4. Windows Phone

Microsoft and the mobile versions of their desktop operating systems have been losing market share with every passing year. However, their latest debut in the form of Windows Phone 7 has received positive feedback so far. Earlier versions of their phones were built on a flawed user interface, but Windows Phone 7 extends the popular Zune HD user interface that is touch friendly, intuitive, and fun. Time will tell if the ideas and concepts come out smoothly in implementation.

5. Android

Android is an open-source, Linux-derived platform developed by Google and backed by the Open Handset Alliance. It is becoming increasingly popular, with its growth estimated at around 10 times its market share going from 2008 to 2009. Google's initiative is coming strong, and with their open approach poses serious competition to Apple's closed mindset. In fact, there are more Android-powered devices in use today than iPhone OS devices.

6. bada, Maemo, and MeeGo, Oh My

Samsung's bada is a recent OS initiative still in development, with the goal of turning Samsung's conventional customers into smart phone users. Maemo from Nokia is a software platform that is based on the Debian operating system. Recently, Nokia and Intel joined forces to announce MeeGo, combining the best of Moblin and Maemo to create an open-source mobile operating system.

The Final Word

Which of these platforms should your non-profit use to develop applications that reach more people? Today, it depends largely on your audience and your application's purpose. If you want focused global reach, then Symbian is definitely an option. You are left with a decision on the North American market, where BlackBerry and iPhone are both strong, and Android is rapidly catching up. With all the restrictions on the iPhone, past and present, you may find yourself wanting to target a platform that is as open as possible, and you can't go wrong with the Symbian/Android combination, since BlackBerry is closed as well.

The bottom line is that if you are developing applications to help global constituents, you'll be looking at Symbian and keeping a close eye on Android, bada, Maemo, and Meego.

If you are developing applications to raise awareness and increase donations from the North American market however, then BlackBerry and iPhone are still viable options, and you'll need to decide whether Android might be the better investment than BlackBerry, as the latter's marketshare is in decline. It's worth noting that BlackBerry is still considered a business platform, so depending on your application, you may want to make a choice between BlackBerry and iPhone/Android.

It's still not clear where Windows Phone, bada, and MeeGo are going. Some may rise, but others may fall. For Symbian, BlackBerry, iPhone, and Android, it's best to figure out your needs, and if you are after maximum global reach, then you have at least two platforms to develop for.