New 'Open Source' Operating System for Mobile Devices

Google created Android, Microsoft created Window’s Phone, now the creators of Firefox are venturing into developing an operating system for mobile devices.

The web browser developers will draw upon a lot of the system developed by Google, but will write much of the code afresh.  It will provide an obvious competitor to Android in particular because it will run on the same devices. 

The project is very much in its “infancy” according to the team overseen by Mozilla (the creators of Firefox).  However, they have already created some basic software from building blocks that are similar to those needed to get the OS running.

They are now publicising the project to root out experts in the Mozilla community and elsewhere who could help and encouraged them to get in touch and sign on.  They are big believers in Open Source and want to work in "the way we think open source should be done".

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The Summer Forecast looks bleak for Blackberry

Research in Motion (RIM), the manufacturer behind Blackberry phones has missed even its lowered profit forecasts and lowered its fiscal predictions for the full year.  

Profits are significantly down on this time last year, and with company shares also taking a blow, it seems there are challenges ahead for RIM.  The delays in new product introductions mean that the company is losing support from customers and carriers.

According to Peter Misek at Jefferies and Co in New York, “People are not waiting.  They’re going to other platforms.”

Are you?  Which mobile operating system do you prefer:  Symbian, Android, iOS from Apple, RIM Blackberry, Windows Phone or another?

Tough Month for Nokia

Rich Green, the chief technology officer at Nokia has taken a leave of absence from the Mobile Giants.  

In the official statement from the company Mr. Green has left due to a “personal matter” and not given a date for his return.  However, a Finnish newspaper quoted sources inside Nokia saying he had left because of differences over strategy and would not return.

Mr. Green was the proponent for the recently sidelined MeeGo mobile operating system.  The decision to adopt Microsoft's Windows Phone software for its smartphones was made by Nokia’s boss Stephen Elop earlier this year.  

It has been a tough month for Nokia, in which it announced that sales of its phones during the second quarter of the year would be substantially below previous forecasts.  Mr. Green’s departure is said to have "no impact on our product strategy or our expected product launch timelines" according to Nokia’s official statement.