Firmware and What is an Operating System

Before we talk about upgrades and updates, it's important to understand what makes any electronic device—smartphone, computer, smart TV, media player, or camera—tick.

Firmware: Although this may be an oversimplification, Electronic devices are made up of computer chips and firmware. Firmware is the code (we can call it software) instructing the computer chips in the device's hardware what to do. Firmware tells your device to find other devices on a network using DLNA standards. Firmware tells your sound card to play stereo sound or to play Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. Without firmware, your device is just chips and wires. This is why your device could be rendered useless if a firmware upgrade is interrupted and not allowed to complete. If all of the new firmware isn't installed, the device may be missing important instructions.

An operating system (OS) is a platform where all of your apps run. The operating system determines what the menus look like and how you interact with a computer, smart phone, media player or other device. Examples of operating systems include Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, and iPod operating system), Blackberry, Windows Phone, Mountain Lion on a Mac, Windows 7 on a PC, or Linux.

When firmware is upgraded, new features can be added to your device. A firmware upgrade for the Playstation 3 installed the capability of playing 3D games and Blu-ray Discs. An operating system upgrade may completely change the menus and the way you use your computer or phone. Learn more about why you want to install updates and upgrades when they become available and about the difference between updates and upgrades.