Root For The Underdog: The Limo Mobile Operating System

Posted by Geronimo Boosh on May 29, 2010 · Leave a Comment

If you like to be different, take a look at some different software for your cell phone. You do have more choices than you were probably aware of. Android and Apple are in the news, but did you know that there are other operating systems in the world that are more popular than theirs ? Find out more by reading this quick article.

You have probably never heard of the Limo Foundation but if you think about it, you never heard of Android a short two years ago. As the mobile world turns, more opportunities make themselves known. If you were thinking that the Limo Foundation was about “limousines”, those large luxurious vehicles used for special occasions and people you were not close. Motorola and Samsung are the founding members of Limo. Back in 2008, Limo was put forth at the Mobile Summit in Barcelona. Eighteen models had the Limo system working on them. LG, Motorola and Samsung all had units working the Limo system.

Limo is based on the ever-popular Linux operating system. It ( Linux, not Limo )is displayed as “Maemo” in the very popular Nokia N900. The N900 is affectionately called the “Beast” by those who like to do different things with their smartphones. Very shortly the N900 will have a new successor, but that is another story.

So, what is coming up this year for Limo ? Three networks are taking up the operating system. They are France Telecom, Verizon, and Telecom. Limo is more popular in the Asian countries. It is on sixty devices in South Korea and Japan. In Europe, with the Vodafone network, only one device uses Limo. The Director of Limo, Morgan Gillis, has predicted that there will be four or five operating systems that become major players on mobile devices in the coming years. He of course beleives that Limo will be one of those systems. Symbian was not included in the Director´s prognistications, even though Symbian is currently the world´s most popular mobile operating system.

Limo sports a “truly open mobile ecosystem” according to their auspices. By contrast, the Android system is touted as being an “open source project” but in reality is only a little bit more open than Apple products. Panasonic and NEC are taking up the Limo flag and offering up their own devices. As of this writing, both Panasonic and NEC have created nine devices with the Limo system firmly embedded.

What is different about a Limo device than say, an Android or Apple system ? Some say that the overall feel is of a richer, more personal experience with the menus and programs. Features are said to be more abundant. Those who use it say they like it.

There are around seven basic operating systems out there at the present. Symbian takes first place with 46.9 percent of the market. Research in Motion takes second with 19.9 percent. Limo is not even on the radar yet for a percentage. It will be an uphill battle for a showing on the market for this small Linux operating system. Will they be able to grow ? If you like rooting for the underdog, root for them, they are going to need it.