Linux set to explode onto the mobile market
By Colleen Taylor, Contributing Editor -- EDN, April 3, 2007
The Linux community is focusing on commercial operating system solutions and real-time operating system (RTOS) replacement in what one analyst firm has called "a two-pronged attack" to move into the cellular phone market.
Market research firm ABI Research forecasts that by 2012, more than 127 million devices will be enabled with a commercial Linux OS, up from just 8.1 million in 2007. Additionally, the firm said in a new report, device shipments that incorporate Linux as an RTOS replacement are set to grow to more than 76 million units in 2012, up from "nearly zero" in 2007.
Problems associated with vertical and horizontal fragmentation in the mobile market have been alleviated, due in part to growing collaboration between industry initiatives boasting rosters of mobile market heavyweights including Panasonic, Samsung, NEC and Motorola. In addition, complete software solutions recently developed by companies like Trolltech are also easing the way for Linux to enter the market in a formidable way. With what have thus far been major impediments moving out of the way, commercial Linux is now set for strong growth in the cellular space, ABI said.
ABI's report was not completely without pessimism for Linux's move into the mobile phone realm; the firm added that although there is a strong likelihood for stellar growth in coming years, "significant barriers" still exist that could hamper Linux's emergence as a "true market power," such as issues with latency and cost of ownership.
Even with these remaining speed bumps, it seems clear that Linux is set to be an increasingly strong force moving into the the cellular market. "Linux in the cellular phone is not a question of 'if', but 'when'," Stuart Carlaw, a research director with ABI, said in a statement.
