Linux to Be the Fastest-Growing Smartphone OS over the Next 5 Years

Published on: 28th August 2007

Research director Stuart Carlaw states, "Serious initiatives from the likes of Intel and Access are gathering pace and momentum, whilst the carrier community continues to identify Linux as one of the few operating systems that it intends to support in its long-term plans." Carlaw adds, "Linux is benefiting from growing support in the handset OEM community, most notably Motorola, but also Nokia with less traditional types of devices aimed at mobile broadband applications." The rise of mobile broadband and the impact that this has upon device convergence and format plays into the hands of Linux.

The vertical and horizontal fragmentation that has plagued this market continues to be a concern; however, the recent patent infringement assertions from Microsoft - that Linux, in its generic form, infringes upon 235 of its Patents - is an ongoing concern. Many Linux pundits point to this as being old hat, while others indicate that there is no smoke without fire.