The smartphone market has traditionally been dominated by two main operating systems: Android and iOS (Apple’s operating system). BlackBerry was considered the 3rd contender in the cellphone market, until last year. With the popularity of Windows 8 Phone and Tablets, Windows is now considered to be the 3rd contender for top operating systems. From the third quarter of 2012 to the 3rd quarter of 2013, the Windows 8 Phone Operating System increased its market share from 2.0% to 3.6% according to the International Data Corporation- that’s 150% in just a year!

Windows’ Next Big Tablet Lenovo Thinkpad 8

The recently announced Lenovo Thinkpad 8 is Windows’ strongest contender against the Apple’s iPad mini. The tablet boasts an 8.4 inch screen, USB 3.0 port, micro HDMI port and a microSD slot. The microSD slot allows the memory size to be increased, unlike the Apple iPad Mini, which comes with a set memory size. The USB 3.0 port and the Micro HDMI ports allow users to easily connect their tablet to either their tv or their projectors. Another plus to the tablet is that it comes standard with Microsoft Office so Thinkpad 8 users won’t have to pay an additional fee to download Microsoft Word or Excel. The tablet also boasts two cameras: an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front-facing camera. The Thinkpad 8 should be released in late January, according to the announcements from the Consumer Electronics Show.

Windows 8 Phone

With the competition from Apple and Android, the Windows 8 Phone has to be able to stand out in a crowd. Their main difference from the other two smartphone giants is their unique tiled homepage where users can easily keep track of their updates with a quick glance.

Previously, some users had been hesitant about adopting Windows 8 Phone because many app providers hadn’t begun submitting to their app store. However, with more and more popular apps available in the Windows 8 Phone Marketplace, user’s don’t need to worry as much.

Nokia is the main Windows 8 Phone provider with their popular Lumia line of phones. However, there are some speculations that Sony (of Walkman, PS3 and TV fame) will be developing Windows 8 Phones as well.

Boopsie’s platform supports Windows Tablet and Windows 8 Phone, and shortly after launch of these MSFT platforms, Boopsie delivered over 300 Windows Tablet and Windows 8 Phone apps to its library-customers to help them keep up with rapidly changing mobile technology.

Boopsie’s CEO, Tony Medrano, and Executive Vice President of Business Development, Sam Nickell, will be at the American Library Association’s 2014 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits; visit them at Booth #1034! Download the app today!