Verizon picks LiMo over Android
Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/624qvp
Verizon Wireless picked the LiMo Foundation as its “preferred” operating system on Thursday. LiMo’s technology is based on the free open-source Linux operating system and is meant to be an open platform for the entire mobile industry to use. LiMo’s original backers included Motorola, NEC, Vodafone, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics and NTT DoCoMo and was launched in January 2007.
However, Verizon has not ruled out supporting Google’s Android mobile platform with its “niche” products.
Why it matters?
- LiMo has already taken the lead in devices running the LiMo operating system by unveiling 18 devices from 7 vendors earlier this year including MOTO U9, MOTO Z6w, MOTOROKR Z6, RAZR2 V8, RAZR2 V8 Luxury Edition, MOTOROKR E8 and Samsung SGH-i800. On the other hand, Android based devices are still in their prototype stage six months after Android was announced.
- Android to Google is what the Windows Operating System is to Microsoft and the mobile industry has all the reasons to try to avoid monopolization of the core platform around which mobile phones are built.
- The joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone has created the most profitable U.S. cellular business in part by tightly restricting the selection of devices and applications allowed to run on its network.
- Android and LiMo are supposed to fill the gap between Smartphones and feature phones and the business is likely to reach 300 million devices compared to 127 million of features phones expected to reach end of the year.
However, it isn’t a cakewalk for LiMo as Kyle Malady, vice president of networks at Verizon Wireless said during a conference call with reporters this morning. “LiMo is our platform of choice, but if there comes a point where we see there is benefit for our customers we will use Open Handset Alliance as well”
LiMo foundation also announced that several new members had joined the foundation including Infineon Technologies, Kvaleberg AS, Mozilla Corporation, Red Bend Software, Sagem Mobiles, SFR and SK Telecom.
