Rather than be held prisoner to any company’s proprietary software, cellular service providers (which distribute most phones) are beginning to ask specifically for Linux-based handsets, says Michael Sudol, general manager of the group at Motorola PCS that’s focused on Linux. So in January, Motorola released its second Linux-based phone for Asia.
Q: Some wireless service providers, like NTT DoCoMo in Japan, are rallying around Linux. Why?
A: They like a greater feeling of control. They worry that [otherwise] their time to market will conflict with the operating system company’s own agenda.
Q: So far, you have come out with two Linux-based phones for the Asian market. Are you planning to roll out such products in the U.S. anytime soon?
A: One of our challenges has been to globalize the platform — and that’s starting. We’ll ramp up our Linux strategy globally toward the end of this year.
Via: Business Week.
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