Comments on: Motorola, Nokia take different routes to Linux

By: Ilya

Ilya — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 13:40:20 +0000

I can hardly see how Motorola's plans to offer three different operating systems will save them money. They plan on licensing Microsoft's OS for the high-end models, but they'll still end up developing and having to support Linux and "the recently acquired TTP Communication’s technology" for their mid- and low-end lines.

While Nokia's Symbian may have problems (I'm not a Symbian/C++ developer), singing praise to Linux sounds more like marketing than a realistic method to cut costs.

Of course, it's really all about the "developers, developers, developers, developers…"

By: ElectroGeek

ElectroGeek — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 19:09:58 +0000

After owning several Nokia Smartphones I have to say that the O.S. reliability leaves something to be desired. I decided to switch to a Cingular 8125 (HTC Wizard) running WM5. After 6 months of use and one ROM update to version 2.25.11.1 WWE I have to say that this is the most reliable, feature rich smartphone O.S. that I have ever used. It will continue to get better and more stable over time. The only reason that Motorola and Nokia want to utilize alternative operating systems on their phones is too save money. They should be more concerned with providing the consumer with a device that is going to meet their needs. You can read a review of the Cingular 8125 here: http://www.electrogeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/cingular-8125-smartphone-reviewed/

By: Nicce

Nicce — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 07:59:08 +0000

I have heard that the Symbian OS
is relly problematic. A lot of bugs,
outdated design. Maybe Nokia
needs it when awareness starts to rise…

By: Paul Jardine

Paul Jardine — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 06:21:49 +0000

I commented on the state of mobile operating systems a few days ago (Windows Hegemony). Linux is the alternative and I think, long term, it will be the alternative to Microsoft.
Symbian is going down a dead-end street unless it opens up a lot more.
One comment that I would make concerning the friendliness of the UI. Nokia makes 1 Linux device, but (after the 2006 upgrade) it is already one of the most user-friendly Linux interfaces. It’s not the operating system, it’s the company!
The main issue in the Linux world is fragmentation, and unfortunately I see that happening for Linux Mobile as well.
As the facilities on mobile phones resemble PCs more and more, so the temptation will be to put MS software (and applications) on the hardware.

People who say Windows won’t cut it in the mobile world are probably the same people who said that WAP and iMode were the future of browsing on mobile devices!

By: Katie Fehrenbacher

Katie Fehrenbacher — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 00:24:52 +0000

Edv,
Agreed. I checked out Greenphone on the LinuxWorld floor, and it is indeed cool. Alas, sometimes time just escapes us.
KF

By: edv

edv — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 21:52:30 +0000

Katie,

It is one thing to put Linux on a phone, but how does this translate to increased sales such as in Asia? Unless you mean that Linux reduces the cost for them. But do consumers (Asia or elsewhere) really care what OS is running on their phone?

It remains to be seen if Motorola can rally a developer community around their Linux distro running on just some of their lower end phones. If they were truly serious about creating a community then they would becoem brave and install Linux on all of their phones including Razrs. But this is doubtful because most big companies (just like Nokia with Symbian) can't let go of their legacy and have the courage to canniblize it.

GigaOM totally missed covering Greenphone. This is a GigOM disappointment.

By: Jesse Kopelman

Jesse Kopelman — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 21:26:18 +0000

Well, perhaps Linux opens the door for some 3rd party developing a good UI, which as we all know is Moto's big weakspot. A Linux RAZR would certainly create a large enough user base that such development would seem a worthy undertaking. After all, a good phone interface would have far more users than the most sucessful desktop environment.

Meanwhile, Microsoft better wake up. The mobile device is where the battle for the next 20 years of OS dominance is going to be fought. Windows Mobile is not going to get the job done in its present -- hey this is just like good old Windows 95 -- state.

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 18:23:28 +0000

Totally agree with you!

By: Ryan Thrash

Ryan Thrash — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 15:17:06 +0000

My perception is that the problem with Moto, is their UI and usability. It's just plain awkward (or worse!) in spots. Nokia gets this really right.