OS Wars: Three Alternatives To iOS, Android, Windows Phone

Here are some alternatives to the most popular mobile operating systems

The smartphone world appears to be all but divided up. You’re either an Android user, a follower of Apple’s iOS, or loyal to the mighty Microsoft and its Windows Phone 8 platform.

But there are alternatives out there for users who don’t want to be part of the mainstream or who aren’t happy about having their personal habits reported to marketing companies for great, targeted advertising (note to any marketing execs reading: I don’t want to buy advanced prostheses, and I don’t know why you got the idea that I would).

With fairness in mind we’re taking a look at some of these fringe offerings, and seeing what, if anything, they can give you that the big names in the smartphone world can’t.