to deploy mobile open source on multiple devices, much the way that Windows Mobile is provided, Gold said. In addition, a combination could also remove the controls that wireless carriers place on specific devices that restrict which applications and services can be used on them, Gold said.
If Android and Symbian do combine, it would pose a challenge to Apple Inc. and the iPhone in the long term since only Apple offers the iPhone operating system based on Mac OS X, Gold said. "Not licensing the OS to other manufacturers is exactly what hurt Mac against Windows on the PC," Gold added. "The parallel to iPhone is striking."
More news, commentary, and predictions from The Industry Standard:
- Prediction: Google invests $1 billion in Facebook
- Prediction: Apple will ship 10 million iPhones in 2008
- Special Feature: The iPhone naysayers, one year later
Reprinted with permission from Computerworld. Story copyright 2008 Computerworld Inc. All rights reserved.
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