Linux developer stokes smart phone OS war
OXFORD,
United Kingdom-As Microsoft and Symbian fight for
dominance in the burgeoning smart-phone operating
system (OS) market, U.S.-based Montavista Software
has announced it is working with NEC to develop a
Linux-based OS specifically targeted for use within
cell phones.
According to Montavista, Symbian is the obvious loser
to a Linux-based product in the battle being fought
largely between Microsoft and Nokia over who will
rule the smart-phone OS market.
"The
problem with Symbian is that it has the outer appearance
of being a platform, but when customers looked in
the box and at the OS, they were underwhelmed,"
said Bill Weinberg, director of strategic marketing
at Montavista. "The major cell-phone manufacturers
which are publicly backing Symbian are all privately
talking with either our customers or discussing how
they can use Montavista Linux for their phones."
However,
while Montavista claims to be in discussions with
a number of other cell-phone developers regarding
Linux, its announced partner, NEC, said it is still
only investigating how it might use the OS and has
not yet initiated a design project for a new handset
to incorporate the Linux OS.
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