[twalk]

There are already a few linux kernals for cell phones available (and even in use in shipping products). By using one, Nokia would save about 1/3 the development cost and 9 months dev time.

Still, like the article says, the biggest reason for the switch is to save money. Within a few years, Nokia wants every phone they ship to be a smartphone. Licensing fees for that would be over $250M, which is a LOT of money.

If Nokia does this, it could also indicate a really rough time in the future for WM/SP and PalmOS because of their licensing fees. If Nokia can save $250M+ in the future, that gives them a significant leg up on the competition, and could easily force most of the others to do the same sort of switch.

(Remember, the best solution often doesn't win, it's the cheapest "good enough" solution that usually wins.)

Todd

[twalk]

There are already a few linux kernals for cell phones available (and even in use in shipping products). By using one, Nokia would save about 1/3 the development cost and 9 months dev time.

Still, like the article says, the biggest reason for the switch is to save money. Within a few years, Nokia wants every phone they ship to be a smartphone. Licensing fees for that would be over $250M, which is a LOT of money.

If Nokia does this, it could also indicate a really rough time in the future for WM/SP and PalmOS because of their licensing fees. If Nokia can save $250M+ in the future, that gives them a significant leg up on the competition, and could easily force most of the others to do the same sort of switch.

(Remember, the best solution often doesn't win, it's the cheapest "good enough" solution that usually wins.)

Todd