Open Source Wireless Tools Emerge

By Anne Zieger
2005-04-13


A Longer Road
Despite the growth of efforts like those discussed here, it's likely to be a while before open source options take root in some wireless sectors.

For the near term, it seems, wireless developers are far more likely to use a Windows CE flavor or a proprietary operating system developed by handset manufacturers like Nokia, Sony Ericsson, or Motorola. After all, these manufacturers can offer developers powerful incentives to use their operating systems, including financial rewards, access to testing programs, strong distribution channels and access to mature marketplaces.

Research by Evans Data underscores the point. When Evans Data recently asked developers what wireless platforms they were targeting, 39 percent said they were focused on Windows CE or Pocket PC platforms -- well above those developing for J2ME (16.7%), non-J2ME Java (10.6%), and Palm OS (12.3%). Only 7.6 percent were looking at apps running over Linux, and a much smaller number, 1.7 percent, had plans for the primarily open sourced Symbian OS.

Wireless open source options will become more common, but it's going to take some time before they do, suggests Chris Preimesberger, wireless analyst with Evans Data. "Open source has not made a major impact on the wireless world," he says. "I believe it will, but it's a slow evolution."

Tutorial Pages:
» Slowly but Surely, the Open Source Development Model is Spreading Beyond the wired world
» Commercial Offerings
» Volunteer Efforts
» Wireless LAN Options: Still Ramping Up
» A Longer Road
» Resources


First published byIBM DeveloperWorks

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