Mobile Operating Systems

Windows Mobile 7 will be delayed

Paul Mah — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:48:17 -0400

Microsoft has quietly confirmed that Windows Mobile 7, the much anticipated update to its mobile operating system platform, has been delayed. A feature complete version of the operating system was initially planned for early 2009, which now has been pushed back to late 2009. Microsoft declined to comment on its plans, though it is understood that there will be no major updates to the core Windows Mobile operating system ahead of Windows Mobile 7. Still, other changes such as an improved browser that incorporate the rendering engine in Internet Explorer 6 are expected to debut sooner. This will open the door to displaying Flash content and Ajax pages, and is expected to happen next year.

For more about this article:
- check out this article from The Boy Genius Report

A hands-on overview of the Access Linux Platform

Paul Mah — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:53:52 -0400

The Access Linux Platform (ALP), the operating system slated to replace Palm's venerable Palm OS, was showcased at the recent LinuxWorld. It attracted the attention of developers and Linux enthusiasts alike, including Ryan Paul from Ars Technica, who managed to get his hands on the official SDK for a test drive. In a nutshell, the underlying core is built on the 2.6.14 Linux kernel with an open source middleware layer called Hiker. Native applications are built on GTK+, while at the same time supporting Java and an integrated Garnet emulator for legacy Palm applications. A widget framework based on the NetFront web browser caters to simpler applications that are based on HTML and JavaScript. In terms of what ALP offers users and developers, the verdict is that it falls somewhere between Google's Android and the OpenMoko project.

For more about the Access Linux Platform:
- check out the review from Ars Technica

Intel buys Linux developer Opened Hand

Paul Mah — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:38:50 -0400

In yet another sign of the growing interest in operating systems tailored for mobile devices, Intel has acquired startup Linux developer Opened Hand. Opened Hand is a London-based firm that has created fundamental software for companies such as Nokia and the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC). The Opened Hand team will be tasked with helping Intel develop its Moblin Software Platform. Moblin is an open-source software stack designed specifically to integrate Intel's own Atom processors with Mobile Internet Devices (MID), netbooks and embedded systems. Existing projects such as Clutter and Matchbox will continue to be led by Opened Hand employees.

For more about Intel's acquisition:
- check out this PCWorld article

Google drops Bluetooth and GTalkService APIs from Android 1.0

Paul Mah — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:57:57 -0400

According to the Android Developers Blog, Google has dropped the Bluetooth and GTalkService instant messaging Application Programming Interface (APIs) from the first version of the Android phone operating system. What this means is that developers will be unable to build third-party applications that interface with or utilize Bluetooth on an Android phone. Handsets based on the Android OS will still be able to work with other Bluetooth devices, with the programmatic interface the only aspect affected. While the Bluetooth API was "pretty far along," some clean up was still necessary. Unfortunately, the team "plain ran out of time" noted Android engineer Nick Pelly. In addition, GTalkService in its current iteration might have resulted in privacy breech, or even a device hijack, and was also pulled as a result.

For more on the story:
- check out this article at the Android Developers Blog

Sybase enhances mobile security

Paul Mah — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:36:04 -0400

Sybase iAnywhere announced that it has expanded its security portfolio to encompass antivirus and firewall capabilities for handhelds. Sybase iAnywhere president Terry Stepian noted that there are already more than 500 identified viruses that target business mobile phones. That number will likely increase dramatically with the proliferation of smartphones.

As part of its Afaria mobile security line, the antivirus will be the first for mobile devices that features heuristic technology in addition to standard automatic signature file updates. All files received by the mobile phone are subjected to a real-time scan, while Afaria's firewall manager allows both inbound and outbound communication to be filtered using black and white lists. The suite supports the key mobile operating systems, including Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and the Symbian operating systems.

For more on Sybase iAnywhere:
- check out the InformationWeek article

Android phones faces delay

Paul Mah — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:35:07 -0400

Smartphones designed to run Google's new Android operating system are facing potential delays that could push arrival dates to late 2008. To be fair, there is technically no slippage yet, though it is certainly unusual for products to be shipped at the tail end of any furnished timeframe. Google initially set the arrival date at the second half of 2008.

Strategically, the implications here would be that any splash made by the entrance of the new mobile operating system will not be noticed until 2009 or later. More urgently, however, is the impending release of the 3G iPhone as well as new 3G versions of RIM's BlackBerry. These events are certain to shift the competitive landscape against Android somewhat.

For more about the Android delay:
- check out this InformationWeek blog

HTC will unveil Android device in Q4

Paul Mah — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:20:02 -0400

HTC confirmed that a phone that runs Google's Android operating system will be unveiled by Q4 this year. This transpired in a conversation that general manager of HTC for MEA and CIS Kevin Chen had with blogger Meraj Chhaya at the launch of the South African HTC Touch Diamond. When quizzed whether it will be possible for the one company to make smartphones that can run on competing operating system, the response was that "they (HTC) are not going to dump anyone." So there you go. HTC will continue making Windows Mobile-based devices, and you will, in all likelihood, be able to buy the first Android-based smartphone before the year is out.

For more on Google Android on a HTC device:
- check out this PhoneReport v2.0 blog

Microsoft to extend Windows XP for nettops as well

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:48:10 -0400

Microsoft will extend the availability of its die-hard Windows XP operating system to manufacturers of ultra low-cost PCs, aka nettops. Not surprisingly, Microsoft's corporate vice president of the Original Equipment Manufacturer Division, Steven Guggenheimer noted that "Customers and partners have made it clear to us that they want Windows on their netbooks and nettops." With Intel projecting sales of more than 100 million netbooks and nettops annually by the year 2011, it is easy to see how Microsoft could ill-afford to miss the bandwagon. Still, this move to protect their market share is ironic in that it is likely to be at the expense of Windows Vista.

For more on Windows XP for nettops:
- check out this Guardian article

Canonical showcases UBuntu Netbook Remix distribution

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:46:27 -0400

Canonical, the commercial sponsor of well-known Linux distribution Ubuntu, will be demonstrating a reworked version of Ubuntu specially catered to netbooks at Computex this week. Based on the standard Ubuntu Desktop Edition, the Ubuntu Netbook Remix is optimized for Intel's range of Atom processors. It also features a launcher that allows users to get on-line and access their favorite applications more quickly.

A number of OEMs already are expected to deliver devices running on the operating system by the later part of 2008. Remix will not be available as a free download though, according to marketing manager Gerry Carr. Instead, it will only be offered direct to prospective netbook vendors.

For more about Ubuntu Netbook Remix:
- check out the Canonical press release

Intel shows off new Atom processors

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:42:54 -0400

Intel has announced the availability of two Atom processors at the Computex 2008 conference in Taiwan this week. The Atom N270 processor is targeted at low-cost notebooks, while the Atom 230 is aimed at small desktops. Both processors feature 1.6GHz clock speeds and a 533MHz front side bus. Built on Intel's 45-nanometer manufacturing process, they are capable of supporting both Linux and Windows XP operating system.

Intel expects growth of the netbook and nettop market to exceed that of traditional desktops and even laptops. This will come about as households in emerging markets snap-up the cheaper offering, and households in mature markets acquire additional netbooks so that there potentially will be one device per person.

For more on Intel's Atom processors:
- check out this Computerworld article