Mobile Linux

Android, Bada, LiMo, and MeeGo Challenge Proprietary Platforms

Research Report

The number of recent Linux-oriented initiatives in the mobile industry demonstrates that Linux will be a key technology in the next generation of mobile devices. Led by adoption of Google’s Android, the growth of Linux-enabled smartphones will outpace the growth of total smartphones, and they will comprise 33% of the market by 2015.

This study examines the key market issues in the Linux ecosystem, as well as the technology drivers within the mobile device segment. It highlights the strengths and weakness of each mobile Linux platform, including architecture, development , applications, and governance models. Detailed regional forecasts of shipments by each Linux-enabled platform are included.

Table of Contents

  • 1. Executive Summary
    • 1.1. Overview
    • 1.2. Market Drivers
  • 2. Market Issues
    • 2.1. Linux Overview
      • 2.1.1. Computing Linux versus Mobile Linux
      • 2.1.2. Commercial Linux versus Open Source Linux
    • 2.2. Open Source Licensing
    • 2.3. Mobile Linux Standardization
      • 2.3.1. The Linux Foundation
      • 2.3.2. Open Handset Alliance
      • 2.3.3. LiMo
      • 2.3.4. GNOME Mobile and Embedded Initiative
  • 3. Technology Issues
    • 3.1. Real-Time Operating Systems
    • 3.2. High-Level Operating Systems
    • 3.3. Virtualization for Mobile Platforms
      • 3.3.1. Running Multiple Operating Systems
      • 3.3.2. Creating a Sandbox for Proprietary Applications
      • 3.3.3. Using Secure Partitions
    • 3.4. Conclusion
  • 4. Competitive Landscape
    • 4.1. Access Linux Platform (ALP)
      • 4.1.1. Strengths
      • 4.1.2. 14
    • 4.2. Android
      • 4.2.1. Development
      • 4.2.2. Applications
      • 4.2.3. Strengths
      • 4.2.4. Weaknesses
    • 4.3. Bada
      • 4.3.1. Development
      • 4.3.2. Applications
      • 4.3.3. Strengths
      • 4.3.4. Weaknesses
    • 4.4. LiMo
      • 4.4.1. Applications
      • 4.4.2. Strengths
      • 4.4.3. Weaknesses
      • 4.4.4. Applications
      • 4.4.5. Benefits
      • 4.4.6. Challenges
    • 4.5. Open Mobile System (OMS)
    • 4.6. WebOS
      • 4.6.1. Development
      • 4.6.2. Strengths
      • 4.6.3. Weaknesses
  • 5. Market Forecasts
    • 5.1. Methodology
      • 5.1.1. Primary Sources
      • 5.1.2. Secondary Sources
    • 5.2. Forecast Assumptions
  • 6. Company Directory
  • 7. Acronyms
  • Executive Brief: Top-Line Forecast
  • Executive Brief: Drivers
  • Executive Brief: Limitations of Proprietary Systems
  • Executive Brief: Market Share
  • Executive Brief: Summary
  • Executive Brief: Summary

Tables

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  1. Total Smartphone Shipments and Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments , World Markets, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  2. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments by Operating System, World Markets, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  3. , Platform
  4. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments,, Western Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  5. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments by Operating System,, Western Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  6. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Operating Systems by Percent of Total,, Western Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  7. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments,, Eastern Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  8. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments by Operating System,, Eastern Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  9. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Operating Systems by Percent of Total,, Eastern Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  10. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments,, Middle East and Africa, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  11. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments by Operating System,, Middle East and Africa, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  12. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Operating Systems by Percent of Total,, Middle East and Africa, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  13. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Operating Systems by Percent of Total, World Markets, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  14. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments,, Asia-Pacific, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  15. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments by Operating System,, Asia-Pacific, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  16. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Operating Systems by Percent of Total,, Asia-Pacific, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  17. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments by Region, World Markets, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  18. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Regional Shipments by Percent of Total, World Markets, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  19. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments,, North America, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  20. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments by Operating System,, North America, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  21. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Operating Systems by Percent of Total,, North America, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  22. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments,, Latin America, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  23. Linux-Enabled Smartphone Shipments by Operating System,, Latin America, Forecast: 2008 to 2015

Figures

  1. ALP Architecture
  2. Android Architecture
  3. Bada Architecture
  4. LiMo Platform Architecture
  5. MeeGo Architecture