Image via CrunchBase, source unknown I dont think so that Android will become a major OS. Primarily because, it is being developed since 2007 and no commercial devices have come out, we have sen just prototypes at some events or mobile summits. Where as if you have a look at LiMo, which is another open mobile platform, it ha launched 18 handsets along with its partners and these handsets are from major companies like Motorola, Panasoni and are commercially available.
Why am I comparing Android and LiMo? As, both of them are almost the same, both the platforms are backed by the OHA (Open Handset Alliance) and the LiMo Foundation respectively. Some of the members of this foundation are common. LiMo is scoring more on Android because it just focuses on the middleware and LiMo Foundation's members who have the software stack ready can do anything to the platform as long it is compatible with LiMo Foundation's specs. Where as when it comes to OHA, which is backing Android, there are a lot of business model conflicts between the members and actually Google is the one that has final say on anything, this in long run won’t work. Also, Verizon, a member of both OHA and the LiMo Foundation, recently announced that it will soon be coming up with handsets running on LiMo platform. Now interesting thing is Verizon became the member of OHA first and then LiMo Foundation (one month back) and still they say that they would come up with LiMo handsets first. By the way they have not denied an Android handset, though.
Yesterday
Nokia announced that it is buying Symbian and soon will be coming up with an open source platform along with Sony Ericsson, Samsung and other companies that are supposed to be Nokia's fiercest rivals. Google guys must have certainly been taken back by this given the penetration and the range that Nokia has to offer. And on the top of that it is reported that Google might take some more time to launch the handsets. I am not saying that Android is a failure, it’s a good operating system but the kind of things we are seeing, I don’t think Android becoming a major OS in the near future.
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