Nokia looking forward to Linux powered handsets
By Will Park on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 at 6:57 PM PST In Devices, Linux, Nokia
Google’s Android OS may be enjoying the majority of the Linux-limelight, what with the T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) G1’s recent launch and all. But, there are other Linux-based mobile operating systems in the works, waiting for their turn to shine in the smartphone segment.
Even amidst the transition to an open-source Symbian code-base, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) is open to using non-Symbian platforms on their handsets. Nokia is apparently hip to the Linux-movement and is apparently looking to put Linux-based mobile operating systems on future high-end smartphones. Ukko Lappalainen, vice president at Nokia’s markets unit, told Reuters that, “In the longer perspective, Linux will become a serious alternative for our high-end phones.”
Nokia has had a Linux-based mobile operating in development for years with their Maemo platform, and is more likely to use their in-house platform than to adopt the Android OS. “I don’t see anything in Android which would make it better than Linux maemo,” Lappalainen said.
With smartphone adoption on the rise, Nokia’s push to bring the Linux-based Maemo platform to their high-end smartphone lineup makes sense. A Maemo-powered Nokia Nseries might be just over the horizon.
[Via: Reuters]
