OStatic

So the details are in on the T-Mobile G1--the first phone based on Google's open source Android operating system. It's got some interface attractions not found on the iPhone, including a trackball and a slide-out keyboard, and it ties in with a broad range of Google's services, including StreetView, Google Maps, Gmail and more. At $179, it's cheaper than the iPhone, but it has some disadvantages in comparison, especially the fact that T-Mobile only offers 3G service in 21 cities. Let's not forget that this phone runs an open source platform though. Here are some thoughts from the LiMo Foundation, and predictions.

Are we about to see more competitors pulling out of the mobile Linux race? Recently, researchers at J. Gold and Associates produced a report predicting that Google's Linux-based Android platform would merge with the new and open source mobile platform from Symbian,? pitting two huge Goliaths (Google and Nokia) against any Davids who might dare to produce Linux-based handsets. While it's pure speculation that that might ever happen, a sign of weakening confidence on the mobile Linux front has appeared: The Access Linux Platform's initial and only smartphone project was recently rubbished. Orange is bailing on its plan to deliver a Samsung smartphone running Access Linux.

As we posted yesterday, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and NTT Docomo announced today that they will unite the Symbian OS, S60, UIQ and MOAP(S) into one open source mobile software platform. In conjunction, a number of members have announced the Symbian Foundation, to oversee the new platform. Now, the LiMo Foundation--which has a Linux-based mobile platform that will arrive on many phones later this year--has issued a statement welcoming the Symbian Foundation. Will we in fact see fierce competition between these two entities?