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News Release from: Informa Telecoms and Media
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 13 December 2005
Mobile platforms and operating systems
reviewed
Device vendors are progressively adopting a modular approach to building their own operating systems from different third party modules, application platforms and service clients.
With the increasing complexity of data enabled devices, essentially related to the ongoing number of advanced applications, features and services, device vendors are progressively adopting a modular approach to building their own OSs from different third party modules, application platforms and service clients The second edition of "Mobile application platforms and operating systems" reports that with this model, device vendors can customise their devices and quickly respond to operator requirements by incorporating the desired features and functionalities
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 26 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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This eliminates dependence on third party OS developers that generally update their product only every 12-18 months.
Dr Malik Saadi, author of the report, says: "In general these OSs are extremely efficient for powering traditional and low-feature phones as they are specifically designed for the device on which they run and optimise the available resources".
"However, this type of platform is not suitable for supporting rich feature phones and smartphones because the complexity of designing these OSs increases with the number of features supported".
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Dr Saadi goes on to say that "The lack of interoperability between different OSs is another challenge facing service providers preventing them from supplying common applications or services, as both applications and services are OS-client dependent".
Hardware fragmentation is the main challenge that currently faces device vendors and OS developers.
This factor complicates the development of standardised OSs.
In addition, due to the different relative performances of different OSs for different market segments, vendors face a further standardisation issue.
Another challenge facing the mobile industry is software-hardware integration.
On average, advanced OSs has been upgraded every 13 months.
It currently takes an average of an additional 18 months (after the release of a new version of an OS) before seeing devices powered by this version in the market place.
This is mainly due to the difficulties of hardware-software-integration and interoperability tests.
Hardware requirements comprise another problem facing the upgrade cycles of advanced OSs.
Although upgrading the OS to follow technology trends may be very attractive for powering smartphones, this strategy may not be successful for addressing lower-tier segments.
Indeed, the latest version of an OS always requires more advanced hardware, which will in turn dramatically affect the bill of material, consequently affecting the device cost.
In answer to these challenges, most handset vendors have adopted a strategy of embedding their proprietary OSs in low to mid-range handsets with a support from open applications platforms such as Java, Brew, i-mode, or Flash macromedia and incorporating advanced OSs for high-end handsets and smartphones.
While greater OS functionality is a requirement of higher-end devices, these handsets are also sold at a higher price, which can better support the royalty payment required for each device.
"Mobile application platforms and operating systems" is billed as the definitive guide to the global market for mobile application platforms and operating systems.
This strategic research report critically analyses technologies available, their future usage and revenue potential, major player's strategies and standardisation initiatives.
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