According to ABI Research, the MID market is likely to be the first real example of a greenfield situation in which all mobile operating systems start on the same equal footing. The Linux OS in the form of Moblin, LiMo and Maemo looks ready to take the lion’s share of the MID market and is set to capture unit volumes of 50 millions units per annum in 2013.
The research company’s VP and research director Stuart Carlaw said: “Maemo is already in this space thanks to the patronage of Nokia; Moblin will benefit from tight integration with Atom and Intel’s drive; and LiMo is actively being positioned for this market. The flexibility, customization and very positive cost comparison to Windows Mobile looks set to ensure that Linux takes the leading role in this market.”
As you’re probably already aware, the concept of a single OS that covers MIDs, smartphones and mid-tier devices is very attractive indeed. However in reality, only LiMo and potentially Moblin hold the possibility of achieving this. I wouldn’t count out Maemo, as it is pushed by such a player as Nokia…
More information on ABI’s “Mobile Linux” research is available from their website.