Analyst Jack Gold has stated that he believes Symbian and Google's Android will combine to provide a single Open Source operating system.
Apparently the rationale behind Google merging its newly-developed product is due to the company having difficulties with producing a mobile OS, and Gold points to recent 'slips' to support these theories.
Symbian would also benefit from the merging of the two products, with the research paper stating, "Symbian for its part has a huge share in smart phones, but could use some more help in cementing its position with the Open Source community and not appear as just a Nokia PR stunt."
Gold believes the 'true' open version of Symbian won't be available for around 18-24 months, allowing time for the two code bases to be consolidated into a superior open-source product.
Once this happens, the analyst firm believes the majority of all other open-source mobile operating system efforts will fall into place behind the merged behemoth and follow suit - allowing a greater competitive force to oust Microsoft's Windows Mobile.
These conclusions come soon after Nokia purchased Symbian and released it to the public domain under an Open Source license. Read the previous INQ brief here.
We're not so sure Google would wish to merge its upcoming newly-founded operating system with an existing solution, especially if it means loosening control over a product its keeping tight to its chest.
theinquirer.net (c) 2008 Incisive Media
. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorisation.
