Rocky Road For Mobile Linux

[Rocco Augusto]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/redirect?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/08/16/HNlinuxworldsf06mobilelinux_1.html' target='_blank'>http://www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/redirect?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/08/16/HNlinuxworldsf06mobilelinux_1.html</a><br /><br /></div>"<i>Linux has great potential in the mobile arena, but establishing it there will be a tall order, industry participants told a LinuxWorld Conference and Expo audience. Mobile phone users will have to demand the technology, and they are more interested in cool devices and applications than in a software platform for its own sake, said Greg Franklin, a venture capitalist at Intellect Partners, in Palo Alto, California, who helps Finnish carrier TeliaSonera AB find investment candidates.</i>"<br /><br />I'm torn on mobile Linux. On one hand, it would be new technology which would mean I would have to play with it! ;) On the other hand, I really don't see Linux bringing anything new to the table. I'm afraid that a Linux handheld would just be the same old thing but in a new body. :(

[Stinger]

I don't think there's much overlap between Linux mobile and Windows Mobile, at least in the foreseeable future. The two operating systems are targeted at very difference audiences.

Windows Mobile is focused on relatively high-end devices, often bought by prosumers and enterprise. It's value is mainly to the end user, who benefits from the greater functionality compared to a regular phone.

Linux is really about creating a cheap, license free operating system for low end phones. It's appeal is to the manufacturers and carriers mainly, as it allows them to create new phones faster and cheaper. I doubt we'll see many Linux phones that fall into what would traditionally be regarded as a "smartphone" (small s). I don't see Linux phones being anything to get excited about from an end user's point of view.