There are many attempts going on “create your own phone” idea. Here’s one from US startup BugLabs (cool logo I must say). I saw it featured at Springwise. Click here to read the full story.
Would-be product designers start with Bug Labs’ basic module—in essence, a Linux-based mobile computer. Then, they add other modules to give the basic device fresh capabilities. Want a camera that tags photos with a GPS-derived location and then uploads them to the web? All it takes is fitting the necessary components together. The software to run the device is also modular, though customizing it may require some minor coding. Bug Labs aims to start selling both the basic module and the first four add-ons (GPS, digital camera/videocam, colour LCD touchscreen and an accelerometer/motion sensor) by the end of 2007.
I need to watch this and try it out, so please remind me if you don’t see an update on this after a few weeks!
This is related to the series about linux and mobile devices / phones. I believe 2008 will be the year when linux for mobile devices will hit big, partly thanks to android. But Linux has some formidable challenges. This post takes a look at one of them - Symbian (48% owned by Nokia), which is one of the top OS makers for smart phones.
As many know, phones based on Nokia S60 uses Symbian’s proprietary operating system. Nokia N82 is the latest phone (more of a gadget actually because of its slick camera) which is based on S60 and Symbian. Symbian is also behind Motorola (MOT) Z8 slider. The user interface of Z8 was positively reviewed by bloggers. Some of the improvements are attributed to a recent upgrade of the OS by the company.
The graphic above shows the market share of smart phone operating system (source: GigaOm) by various region. Overall Symbian is in high gears and ready to take on its competitors.
Recently Symbian posted good results with 56% year-on-year rise in third-quarter product shipments to device manufacturers and said that its revenue had increased by 30% in the same period.
Symbian’s technology has now shipped in 165 million devices. However, average royalties per unit dropped in the period to $4.8 per unit from $5.2 per unit a year ago.
Symbian reported that shipments of its operating system were up to 20.4 million units, from 13 million units a year earlier, in the three months ended Sept. 30, while revenue increased to GBP52.4 million from GBP40.3 million.
After months of speculation there is an official statement from Google about their mobile phone plans. However the information on the Google mobile phone software stack (which is based on Android platform) lacks many details and the product release time frame of second half of 2008 is long. In the coming days analysts will discuss this a lot so I’ll spare you detailed comments but here’re a few things which come to mind.
The software will run on special handsets from a wide range of partners. Based on what I’ve read the phone will be more of a smart phone with easier and faster access to internet and productivity applications leading to the mashups which created waves for the Internet. There’s no limit to which the new apps can go but I think speech apps (such as those from Nuance) are going to be a big part here.
The Open Handset Alliance and Open source support is important here. there has been a good momentum going for the open-source linux phone and the google phone announcement will help it a great deal. Countries like Pakistan are embracing linux and open-source and there is potential for some interesting work. However it is not yet clear if the LIMO efforts will converge with this or not. For developers the long lead time is a bit long but being google it is the hope that the wait will be worth it. It may be worth noting here that Apple has also announced opening its iPhone to outside developers.
As opposed to Apple’s iPhone pricey brand the google phone strategy is to create a platform which is widely scalable and seen as the rescuer, the common man’s phone. In that sense it will attract tremendous attention in developing countries. If you look at the partners HTC is the among the first handset maker to come out with an android based device. Large international carriers such as China Mobile are listed as partners as well.
Addendum on Nov 12: See the video about Android and the $10 million prize. Code is here.
Through deep partnerships with carriers, device manufacturers, developers, and others, we hope to enable an open ecosystem for the mobile world by creating a standard, open mobile software platform. We think the result will ultimately be a better and faster pace for innovation that will give mobile customers unforeseen applications and capabilities.
This kicks off a new series of posts about linux on mobile devices. As we explore this topic and track the progress of linux on mobile phones in the world and particularly in Pakistan, I hope that we’ll learn plenty along the way.
I keep hearing about linux for mobile phones and all the great things to expect from these developments. However I’m not sure if linux for mobile devices will meet the same fate as linux for PCs i.e limited penetration but not good enough for the mainstream public. Of course when it comes to servers, linux has done very well so in no way I am doubtful about the powerful impact and the potential. But for mobile devices we are talking about ordinary users who are not interested in a cool technology per se but want a better package of services, without the limitations imposed by today’s phone. Therefore user adoption is key and it will come from a balanced combination of good features, easy-to-use interfaces and cheap, reliable devices. Good luck Tux.
A couple of recent analyst reports indicate Mobile Linux is starting to catch on, something also born out by reports that Palm will launch its first smartphone soon running Linux.
News reports have indicated Palm’s Linux phone will launch in October and will use technology developed by Wind River Systems. Wind River built the Linux platform for Palm’s new Foleo. Meanwhile, IMS Research says Mobile Linux will experience a compound annual growth rate of 45% over the next five years.
“The increased focus on Mobile Linux shows the high level of interest from all segments of the cellular handset industry, including manufacturers, network operators and component suppliers,” the research group says. “This is demonstrated pretty clearly by the expanding membership of the LiMo (Linux Mobile) Foundation, an industry group that was established in January of this year with the stated goal of developing a common Linux Platform.”
Would-be product designers start with Bug Labs’ basic module—in essence, a Linux-based mobile computer. Then, they add other modules to give the basic device fresh capabilities. Want a camera that tags photos with a GPS-derived location and then uploads them to the web? All it takes is fitting the necessary components together. The software to run the device is also modular, though customizing it may require some minor coding. Bug Labs aims to start selling both the basic module and the first four add-ons (GPS, digital camera/videocam, colour LCD touchscreen and an accelerometer/motion sensor) by the end of 2007.
This kicks off a new series of posts about linux on mobile devices. As we explore this topic and track the progress of linux on mobile phones in the world and particularly 
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