Linux on Mobile & Embedded Devices

I think it's time to think of Linux on mobile devices. Linux was earlier considered as a non-user friendly platform so it didn't find its place in mobile devices which have mass usage. But now, the scenario has changed, Linux has been developed beyond its limitations. But still it hasn't found place on mobile devices.

The latest news says Nokia N 810 internet tablet will run UBUNTU
Linux based devices have many advantages over proprietary operating systems like Windows Mobile, Symbian, etc.

First of all, the cost factor: It will cut down the cost when manufactured in a large scale. It's even possible to build a Linux platform and sell it for $5 which is much less compared to cost of Windows Mobile.

Second reason: The customer can customize and modify the interface as he likes and softwares will be freely available.

Google Android is the first complete, open, and free mobile platform which is built by the Open Handset Alliance, collaborative effort of many companies which are Google, HTC, Intel, Motorola, Qualcomm, T-Mobile, Sprint Nextel and NVIDIA with the goal to develop open standards for mobile devices.
T-Mobile & Google unveiled the first Android Phone T1.

Samsung and Trolltech showcased the world's first 3G smartphone based on Linux platform at the 3GSM World Congress. Nokia bought the Norwegian software company Trolltech this year for $153 million. Now, Nokia & Trolltech's technologies released Qt Extended 4.4 which is a complete mobile and embedded development platform developed from the open source Qt toolkit.
Nokia's Linux-based internet tablets will soon gain faster processors and built-in 3G cellular modems. Nokia executive director Ari Jaaksi announced at the Open Source in Mobile show that Nokia will include 3G/HSPA capabilities to an OMAP3-optimized Maemo 5 release for the web tablets.

New Linux-based subnotebooks & internet tablets like the Asus Eee PC, have gained popularity. Motorola is one of mobile companies which have ardently embraced Linux for most of its latest releases which include Motorola RAZR2 V8, Motorola Rokr E8, Motorola U9 and many more.

In the immediate future we can expect to have much cheaper phones with Linux platform....