What is a mobile device?

 A mobile device is a portable computing device such as a smartphone or tablet computer. These devices range in size, shape, and model and all have various operating systems (OS) and functions. Learn the basics of the most popular mobile devices and how to determine your device's operating system, which can be important in solving software problems.

Device Basics

iOS-iPad, iPhone
Android-Samsung, Motorola, LG, Kindle Fire, etc.

Operating System Features

iOS-iPad, iPhone
Android-Samsung, Motorola, LG, Kindle Fire, etc.
Determine OS by device type
Device How to determine OS:
iOS - iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Go to Settings>General>About
Android Tablets & Smartphones Go to Settings>About Phone (scroll all the way down)>Android Version
Kindle Fires Drag your finger down from the top, and choose Settings>Device Options>System Updates
Nook Tablets Tap the Settings icon in the Status bar at the top of your screen, tap on All Settings>Device Information, and check your Software version
Windows Tablets (like Surface Pro) Visit Microsoft Support page
Windows Phone & RT Tablets Visit Microsoft Support page
MP3 Players It depends. Visit What's My OS? for more information.
Standard eReaders (e-ink, like Nook, Kobo) It depends. Visit What's My OS? for more information.