February 13th, 2008
In LiMo-Android battle the winner is Linux
The launch of LiMo handsets in Barcelona may get played as a battle between Nokia and Google, but the undoubted winner is Linux itself.
Despite this, mobile Linux is in for the battle of its life.
Both the LiMo group, which Nokia is joining by buying Trolltech, and the Open Handset Alliance, which is developing the Google platform, are aiming to create Internet data devices for mobile networks.
LiMo has the initiative. With Motorola and NEC, as well as LG, Samsung, and Nokia on board, it also has product to offer operators hungry for something that can compete with the Apple iPhone, while the OHA (so far) is just press releases.
Everyone wants a piece of the mobile handset market. Windows Mobile is a player, Apple continues to dominate, and all the Linux vendors are fighting for traction against the onslaught.
This is a good thing, because we’re talking about a real digital transition, from throwaway phones on proprietary networks to pricier data devices which need Internet-based networks to work.
Many years ago I wrote what I called “Dana’s Iron Law of Laptops,” an ounce on the desk is a pound in my hand. Now laptops are becoming desktop replacements, and the hand is being replaced by a pocket or purse.
It surprises me that this is taken so long, but better late than never. Now let’s see whether Linux can survive in this new, highly competitive world.
To my own mind it comes down to two words — user interface.
Mobile Linux badly needs a user interface which can go head-to-head against that of the iPhone. Both the OHA and LiMo people need to keep that goal at the top of their minds if they hope to succeed.
When our Crave blog ran the picture at the top nine months ago, it was dubbed the “PerfectPhone.” The iPhone’s success has shown it is far from perfect.
Linux advocates need to come away from their drawing boards with something a lot more perfect if they hope to win.
Dana Blankenhorn has been a business journalist for 30 years, a tech freelancer since 1983. You can follow Dana on Twitter. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
Subscribe to Linux and Open Source via Email alerts or RSS.
