Analysts project Linux in 20% of mid- to high-end handsets by 2013

by Darren Murph posted Apr 26th 2008 at 7:00PM

There's little doubt that Linux has quite a bit going for it in the mobile realm, but a recent report put out by ABI Research asserts that just about one in every five mid- to high-end handsets sold in 2013 will boast a Linux-based OS. Citing the mounting momentum behind LiMo Foundation as well as the alleviation of "issues with framework fragmentation and silicon requirements," the research firm is projecting Linux to be an integral part of some 20-percent of higher-end mobiles in just 5 years. ABI Research's VP even noted that "Linux OS solutions will be far more cost-effective than incumbent solutions, even when silicon requirements are taken into account, given that a fuller application layer will be included in the standard package and that the burden of customization falls mostly on the independent software vendor." Hey, you won't find us kvetching about the proliferation of open-source.

[Via mocoNews]

Filed under: Handsets, Software, Linux, Studies

Tags: abi research, AbiResearch, data, limo, limo foundation, LimoFoundation, linux, open-source, research, study

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

derX @ Apr 26th 2008 7:14PM

At first I was going to say BS, but when you think about how many platforms us Linux as its base, it's not too farfetched. I mean, I am just too lazy to check, but I am pretty sure Android is Linux based, and if Moto survives, its OS--the supposed good one--is Linux, too.

...still, 20% seems to be quite liberal a guess, though.

Neutral

Drunk Monkey @ Apr 26th 2008 10:40PM

To bad there won't be anyone around to use it after 2012 hits.

Neutral

derX @ Apr 27th 2008 12:48AM

ROFL, those perceptive Mayans. Let's hope they're as good at predicting the end of the world as they are as lasting as a civilization.

----
Not a diss on Mayans, they were awesome. I just think it'd be more awesome if they were wrong as I kinda enjoy the whole seeing the next day process.

Neutral

derX @ Apr 27th 2008 12:51AM

Yeah, now that you mention it, adopting a Linux-OS might not be the best of things. Consider some of the top cell phone manufacturers: Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, HTC. What do they have in common? No Linux. Now, look at lame, soon-to-be-defunct-if-they-don't-get-their-proverbial-shit-straight cell phone manufacturers: Motorola, Palm. Linux.

Moral of the story: Linux will kill you.

Neutral

derX @ Apr 27th 2008 12:53AM

....yeah, that was at packetsniffer (Okay, c'mon, you must admit, these Engadgeteers have some pretty damn awesome names. Packetsniffer? Hilariously awesome.)

Oh yeah, the obligatory DAMN YOU COMMENT SYSTEM!....or my inability to double-check if I've hit reply....I prefer the former.

Neutral

Josh Marshall @ Apr 27th 2008 2:23AM

That is quite incorrect.

Nokia uses Linux on its whole Internet Tablet line, Samsung has several Linux phones (just not necessarily marketed in America), HTC has been working very closely with the Android project as a hardware partner, and Sony Ericsson just announced not-so-great numbers: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/sony-ericsson-profit-down-48/story.aspx?guid={548A53C9-BB70-4EBC-BB96-6FD9F46CB96F}&siteid=rss ...

So, yeah. Linux not so bad.

Neutral

Tehseen @ Apr 27th 2008 9:52PM

Linux will always Prevail

iPhone = Mac OS X = Based off Unix

So *nix will always prevail

Neutral

derX @ Apr 28th 2008 12:02AM

Oh, I completely forgot about OSX for Linux. You both are right. Sorry about that.

New moral of story: Linux may not, in fact, kill you. It's not Linux, it's just the crappiness of the company pushing it.

Bottom line: Crappy business sk33lz will kill you.