Qualcomm Adopts Linux for 3G Handsets

quan74 writes "According to an article at MacNewsWorld, it seems Qualcomm is the latest to add Linux to its handheld devices. 'By introducing Linux on the MSM, Qualcomm supports manufacturer partners who wish to leverage existing Linux applications, third-party developers and application catalogs to reduce their software development costs and improve time-to-market.' What I found interesting is that Linux will be the first third-party operating system supported by Qualcomm."

Comments

Risks?

[bigtallmofo]

I'm all for pushing technology forward, but integrating so many functions into one device can have a downside..

I don't think we're too far off from having spyware for mobile phones that sends advertising SMS messages to everyone in your phone address book. Or even calls everyone and plays a pre-recorded message. As these things become more ubiquitous, they'll be a larger and larger target.

Re:Risks?

[BenjyD]

As my salary depends on sales of symbian software, I probably shouldn't say this, but it seems most smartphone hardware makers don't have a clue about UI design. For example, on my Sony-ericsson p910i:

- The keyboard is flimsy, hard to type on while holding the phone, and because it's on the reverse of the number keypad, when you type on it you often press buttons on the reverse side, causing the whole phone to wobble.

- The camera button and the "connect to the internet" button are right next to each other, on the side of the phone and exactly the same size and shape, making it very easy to get press the wrong one.

- Handwriting recognition is pretty poor. As it uses the whole screen to recognise handwriting, if you try to tap on a button while recognition is enabled and slip slightly (like, if you're walking around with your *mobile* phone) you end up typing a full stop instead of activating the button.

- Most of the on-screen UI is far too fiddly to use "in the field". Sitting at a desk it's fine: on a crowded, bumpy train I keep activating the wrong functions.

Personally, I can see a huge market for somebody like Apple to do to the smartphone market what iPods have done to the MP3 market: produce an elegant, easy-to-use smartphone with all the functionality, but actually designed with usability in mind.

Difference in total cost..

[wcitech]

I remember reading somewhere that the cost of a single liscense of Windows Mobile is only a few bucks. What is the total cost saved by using Linux in handheld devices? It'd be interesting to compare.

Re:Difference in total cost..

[nchip]

Like allways when someone asks about total costs, "it depends".

In Qualcomm case, you may end up saving lot. Qualcomm has just ported Linux to their _Cellphone_chip_, which means you don't have to buy another CPU to run the smartphone OS on. On The otherhand, Windows will still need another CPU, increasing Power consumption, weight and material costs.

In other cases, it depends on the platform you are developing for. For example if you don't have an MMU in your hardware, you simply can't run windows. OTOH if you are just basing yourself on one the most popular reference designs with windows already available, windows is likely the cheapest route. But once you start creating something more exotic and unique, it becomes more blurry and depends on case-to-case basis.

However, Qualcomm going Linux is fascinating for a totally unrelated point. Before this, their BREW platform has been the most DRM-encumbered development platform. There is no way to run code not signed, distributed and billed by Qualcomm on their BREW handsets. This might be a relatively large move from completely proprietary to more community friendly.

Re:MacNewsWorld?

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually it's MACNewsWorld, it's actually a web publication that started out about MAC addresses (the raw addresses used by Ethernet, and more recently 802.11 devices, to identify physical network connectors), but recently branched into discussing CDMA on the off chance that they might get more readers that way. It worked, they doubled their regular readership figure, getting six hits every month. Although three of those have Google searches in their Referrer: headers.

Re:Choose your friends wisely

[squiggleslash]

No, CDMA is not better than GSM, and none of Europe is moving to CDMA except in a way that makes your sentence lose all meaning.

The letters CDMA have two meanings: they refer to an air-interface technology, and they refer to a particular standard built on that technology, also known as IS-95. The technology is good. The standard is awful.

The sentence "CDMA is better than GSM" can only be refering to the standard, because GSM is a standard, not an air-interface technology. It's completely false, as anyone who's used both can attest. CDMA isn't location/network independent and it doesn't support, in its most widely implemented form, support personal mobility. It's essentially stuck in a 1970's mobile phone network mindset. It's sole advantage over GSM is the use of a CDMA-technology air interface.

The sentence "All of Europe is moving to CDMA" is only true if you switch meanings and start refering to the air interface technology in place of the standard.

I don't know if you're confused, or you're a Qualcomm shill. Qualcomm shills were taking advantage of people's confusion throughout the late nineties to try and ensure exactly this kind of "argument" could be made. People would post, apparently sincerely, "Well, GSM is based on TDMA, and my friend has a TDMA phone and the sound sucks and he doesn't have any features that aren't on my flash CDMA phone!", and more recently "Oh yeah? Well if CDMA sucks, why is Europe switching to it?" It's slight of hand. Stop it.

UMTS incidentally, which is what we're talking about Europe switching to, is essentially GSM2. The system is more modular, so operators can use different air interface technologies depending on their precise needs. Most are choosing WCDMA ("Wideband Code Division Multiple Access"). There is no connection whatsoever between this and the system Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless uses beyond a similar principle being used to transmit data between the towers and the handsets.

I'm sure Qualcomm feels honored...

[Dolda2000]

it seems Qualcomm is the latest to add Linux to it's handheld devices.

Its m'y utter delight to see that Slashdot posters finally get thei'r grammar right.