In contrast to a computer or a laptop, in buying a smartphone users have much fewer choices in operating systems–you have to be content with what the manufacturer offers for the model. And when you search for a phone, mostly all you can find are iPhones and Androids.

These operating systems (plus Windows Phone, which is catching up slowly) are the ones getting most publicity these days. But this dominance is going to be challenged in new future, as Mozilla, Baidu, HTC and others have jumped into the smartphone OS war.

Firefox OS will arrive in 2013

Having first been developed under the code name Boot to Gecko, the mobile operating system from the Mozilla Foundation inherits an official designation: Firefox OS. Mozilla plans to launch a new mobile operating system – Firefox OS, which is completely open and based on HTML5, CSS and JavaScript.

Firefox OS uses a little modified Linux kernel as a basis for a runtime environment based on Mozilla’s Gecko HTML rendering engine.

Several major cellular providers have now declared their support for Mozilla’s mobile operating system, which is expected to hit the market in 2013. The first smartphone will be manufactured by ZTE and TCL Communication Technology (under the brand Alcatel One Touch), while the distribution in global markets will be entrusted to telecom operators Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, Sprint, Smart, Telenor and Italy’s Telecom Italy Mobile (TIM).

“The introduction of the open mobile OS continues the Mozilla mission to promote openness, innovation and opportunity on the Web for users and developers.  As billions of users are expected to come online for the first time in the coming years, it is important to deliver a compelling smartphone experience that anyone can use,” said Gary Kovacs, CEO, Mozilla. “The large number of operators and manufacturers now supporting this effort will bring additional resources and diversity to our global offerings.”

The scope of HTML5 will go beyond the simple application development – it will be possible using APIs to fully exploit the hardware features of the terminals.

Being a web solution, which eliminates much of the middleware that’s typically incorporated into many mobile operating systems, Firefox says that mobile operators can cut their limitations with smartphones and lower prices, which will help drive adoption of these phones in developing markets.

Mozilla’s new mobile platform can be a good alternative to low cost smartphones with Android, which often have performance problems. Additionally, HTML5 choice would attract many developers who see this as an opportunity to develop applications without any constraints.

Bada – An alternative to Google’s Android

Now the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer, Samsung Electronics has increased investment in the development of alternative platforms for their devices – Bada OS. The purpose is to promote alternatives to Android for their own mobile devices of all types and price categories. To date, Bada OS is used in the lower range of Samsung Galaxy family products.

Initially, the company had ambitious plans for the OS, but over time it has receded into the background because of the popularity of Android-smartphones.

With a new CEO, Samsung is focusing on creating forthcoming software and designs for a fresh user experience.  If Samsung manages to retain appeal for its OS–a nice interface, good performance, excellent work with the media and generally decent functionality out of the box–then Bada can safely be recommended to people who need quality and functional solution.

Baidu Yi OS – Leader in China

Baidu has been working on its mobile OS, Baidu Yi, for some times now. Baidu and Google are natural competitors in many fields, but Baidu’s OS for mobile phones will remain compatible with Android.

Users who are familiar with Google Maps, search, and other core services will see the same kind of functionality as Baidu map, Baidu search, cloud services, music and even a program similar to Google Places in Yi.  Additionally the OS also will have built-in Baidu applications and services, online storage, input method, contacts, and a number of developed Baidu applications.

If Baidu’s platform takes off, it could further increase mobile search volume for Baidu in China, where it has a majority stake.

HP webOS – the Next Open Source OS

We had one hand a remarkable operating system, with tiny market share, but with an excellent interface, very elaborate and innovative user experience.

Through the purchase of Palm for more than a billion dollars, the world’s number one PC maker had big plans for webOS that would be worn on most mobile devices or by the manufacturers. But HP has changed its tune and suddenly decided to abandon these projects.

It appears that HP is again getting serious with regard to competition in its webOS, which announced that it will become open source and will return to mainstream this year after being abandoned by the company at the end of last year. The computer hardware maker plans to make it into open source system by end of this year.

Open webOS 1.0 will be an open source platform based on Linux kernel and will be available in September this year.

The new CEO of HP, Meg Whitman assured in February that it will be better than the competition.

“We will build a new project together, we will create a new OS that will have huge advantages over iOS, which is a system closed, and Android, which is highly fragmented and ultimately more likely to be closed with the acquisition of Motorola Mobility by Google.”

HTC OS is Next

Once a struggling company, HTC became one of the most popular handset manufacturers in the world, thanks for its early appeal for Android-based smartphones.

Google’s decision to purchase Motorola Mobility puts it into direct competition with Samsung, HTC, LG and others Android based smartphones manufacturers.

After the recent acquisition of French mobile software company Abaxia, there is speculation that HTC intends to create its own mobile OS as a preemptive measure.

Abaxia develops mobile home screens for devices as well as mobile portals, providing a rich experience to mobile users no matter what devices or platforms they are using.

Which OS will win?

There’s no telling who will be the clear winner in the end, as competition amongst operating systems could drive innovation from large and small players alike.  While Apple and Google remain dominant in the mobile sector, HTML5 is a promising technology that could give Mozilla an edge with developers and emerging markets.

More OS’s from more mobile companies means more players targeting the same market for ultimate control.  Those with the largest influence in the ecosystem will have a clear advantage in the coming years.