Rocky road for mobile Linux? Nah!

[Bob Russell]

InfoWorld is reporting that "... most mobile operators value [mobile Linux's] flexibility and are interested in new technologies, [mobile operator forum] panelists said, but there is less going on in the trenches of actual device and service rollout."

And they summed up their discussion with the following opening statement, "Linux has great potential in the mobile arena, but establishing it there will be a tall order, industry participants told a LinuxWorld Conference and Expo audience."

That's true that mobile operators are focused on meeting perceived customer demands, while gadget makers are more interested in whiz bang platforms. But if you have listened to any of the people setting the strategic direction for the new Linux platforms, it's pretty clear that they have much clearer heads this time around than in the past.

It's been made painfully obvious that the bulk of the customer base for a new Linux phone platform comes from so-called feature phones. And getting devices to market is a process that needs to get easier and faster. Basically, we are seeing a gradual move from basic phone functions to feature phones with additional features, including audio, video, web connectivity, email and more. That market is huge compared to the upscale smart phone. And strategy for new Linux platforms is not being driven by the cool technology these days either. It's based on creating a platform that is practical, adoptable and useful. No one dares fall into the infamous "Cobalt is ready, but nobody wants it" trap. It is a warning flag to any new platform developer that the waters are trecherous, and the buyer of a platform must want what you are providing. It's not trivial to sell a platform when there is a lot of competition.

While it may not seem like there's a lot of competition right now when you look at the devices on the market, all you have to do is look at the various groups working on new Linux mobile platforms to realize how competitive it is. And don't assume that Nokia is stuck with Symbian. I doubt that the Nokia 770 was only about an internet appliance. You can bet that they are testing the waters with regard to phones on Linux.

True, there are certainly a lot of issues still to be resolved. But they will be. I think that when we look back at it, we'll find that mobile Linux had a remarkably smooth ride, not a rocky road. But it will take time. And it will be quite a fight.

Fortunately, we're not going to see Linux for the sake of Linux. Everyone is warning that it's not going to be a hit just because it's Linux. I think they are preaching to the choir. No platform creator is that naive. And if they are, they won't last long. Instead, Linux is being adopted because current RTOS's (used for most basic phones) are too limited to handle the increasing set of features. PalmOS and Win Mobile both have a lot of growing to do. And Linux brings great promise and hope with regard to handling the increased demands for phone function and faster product cycles.

Linus is coming, and it's going to be exciting!