DISQUS

Tim Nicholson · 2 years ago

I'm not sure I'm going to have the most "full-bodied" answer here, but I'd like to comment briefly on this topic. First, this is what mobile Linux has needed for some time... a group of "heavy hitters" committed to it. An open-source mobile Linux could be the greatest thing since sliced bread, unless it becomes fragmented like the desktop Linux OS's have. The world needs to unite together to take mobile Linux to the point where it can compete with Microsoft and Symbian (and to a lesser extent, Palm OS).

It really IS about the OS itself when it comes to competing at this early stage of the game, but having the *applications* will make a big difference in the long-term. Perfect the core and then leverage Google search, Google news, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Calendar, Google Docs (full mobile editing is needed, of course), a mobile version of Picassa and you've got yourself something nice.

So combine a killer OS with killer apps, throw in support for some varied form-factors ranging from a smart RAZR to an expandable iPhone to a mobile Linux-based mini-laptop and you've got something intriguing.

The key here will be support for the one true standard mobile Linux platfrom, open-source (cheap), with good app support, support for widely varied form factors, devout support for 3rd-party application development, and you've got a winner.

If everyone in the mobile Linux space takes the stance, like Palm and others, that they can do it better and keep it proprietary, it will never make a dent in Symbian or Microsoft sales. The world needs to band together and truly build something great and open. Then it will succeed.

If it takes Google to make it happen, so be it. Red Hat, Ubunto, Palm, PalmSource, etc. probably aren't going to have the power to do it. Whatever it takes, it needs to happen and its going to require that big-business band together to beat the incumbants.

john · 2 years ago

Google's Android and OHA is a consortium of major and minor players in the phone software, hardware, and carriers who have come together to build and promote an OS.

Why would RIM want to help create a generic OS when their own OS is as polished and highly-regarded as it is. RIM has it's own agenda, Verizon has it's own agenda, and Motorola has it's own agenda. The OHA will be rife with argument and poor co-operation.

RIM doesn't need Google. Look at the manufacturers that have joined the consortium... HTC, a hardware manufacturer stuck on a slow and inefficient OS. Motorola, A company that is falling apart at it's seams. Those companies need an OS to save or define them. RIM doesn't need a savior.

RIM has invested too much into it's own OS to show a lack of faith in it.

jkc · 2 years ago

I completely agree with what john has said. RIM continues to ever evolve their OS making constant improvements on an already good and stable product. They have poured too much time money and effort to go backwards and go into another 3rd party consortium that is starting from scratch to create something of value. RIM already has an OS of great value and to move in a direction backwards from a fully developed to just and idea at this point is nonsensical.

jkc