Google’s announcement of Android was big, there’s no doubt about that. But, the OHA and Android aren’t the only group to push for an open-source mobile phone movement based on Linux. The LiPS (Linux Phone Standards Forum) Forum has been championing the Linux cause for handsets on the open-source tip. With the might of Google behind it, Android and the OHA stole the show - almost banishing the LiPS Forum to obscurity - until today. The other Linux movement has finalized the specifications on their Release 1.0. LiPS aims to “enable mobile industry players to achieve basic interoperability for applications and services deployed on Linux-based phones,” in order to foster the development of services and compatible devices. And, with LiPS good to go, the open-source handset market can look forward to “interoperability through real open standards and specifications, not de facto acceptance of single platform implementation.” So, just what is the difference between an open-source model and the more traditional (ad-hoc) model? These charts should give you a good idea: Traditional (ad-hoc) model Open-source model We’ve heard it all before. But more competition hopefully means better innovation and hardware offerings. Next step? Get some hardware manufacturers and developers to back LiPS’s wares. [Via: Linux Devices ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Android is out and I feel let down, almost embarrassed I hyped it so muchPalm says "NO" to AndroidGooge cultivating Android development community with $10 million petri-dishHTC plans to release 2 to 3 Android based devices in 2008Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer on Android: It's just a press release

In the wireless industry, the best weapon any one carrier has against their rivals is the mighty pen. Well, it’s more like the “mighty keyboard,” but you get the point. Not to be outdone by the other big-dog in the play-pen, AT&T has announced that they’ll be opening up their network to “wireless phone, device and software application from any maker.” Beating rival Verizon to the punch , AT&T’s network will be open to all GSM devices and applications “starting immediately.” “You can use any handset on our network you want,” says Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T’s wireless business. “We don’t prohibit it, or even police it.” AT&T customers can choose from a world of feature-phone and smartphone options, and they don’t even have to sign a contract to get on AT&T’s network. And, to rub it in the face of Google’s OHA , AT&T boasted that they are doing today what the OHA has planned for a year from now. Ralph de la Vega added that “We are the most open wireless company in the industry.” So, it looks like Google and the OHA successfully revolutionized the wireless market - just as we expected . Or did it? While Google’s move to create an open-platform for mobile phones and wireless networks has prompted an all-out PR-war between the largest network operators, did it really prompt AT&T to open up their network any more than the rest of the GSM-world? Not really. AT&T’s announcement of an open network is basically a reiteration of the way a GSM network works. You can take any unlocked GSM phone, pop in an AT&T SIM card, and start using that device with any software you see fit - it’s always been that way and always will. So, just what did AT&T accomplish with this announcement? Aside from one-upping their competitors in the PR deathmatch that is the wireless-game…nothing. [Via: USAToday ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Verizon set to open its network to 'any app, any device' in 2008When did Verizon Wireless join the Open Handset Alliance?Verizon confirms LTE 4G network trials with Vodafone; to share with AT&TQualcomm unveils new 3G chip with 700Mhz frequency support - works on all networksAT&T backs FCC Chairman Martin's open access position [...]

Did Verizon Wireless jump on the Android-fueled bandwagon that is the Open Handset Alliance ( OHA ) while we weren’t looking? Well, we can’t find any official sources that would confirm Verizon’s membership as part of the OHA - but Gene Munster, a Piper Jaffray analyst recently released a note to clients that mentioned Verizon as being a member of the OHA. Now, we’re not sure if Mr. Munster was just a bit confused - which isn’t all that unlikely, seeing as how Verizon’s recently announced plan to open their network to “ any app, any device ” in 2008 vibes pretty closely with the Android-supporting OHA’s open-platform mantra. On the other hand, Munster could be privy to insider information about Verizon’s intention to join the OHA. It would make sense for Verizon to join the OHA - as we speculated might happen - seeing as how their new network policy isn’t more than a philosophical stone’s throw from the OHA’s own guidelines. And, the move would make even more sense with Sprint and T-Mobile’s membership and AT&T consideration in joining the alliance. We can’t imagine that Verizon would remain an OHA outlier if AT&T decides to make the jump and hop on-board the alliance - conversely, if Verizon decides to join the OHA, it’s more than likely that Verizon would follow suit. Can any US carrier expect to stay competitive as the singular non-OHA compliant wireless operator? Highly doubtful. Come and join the party, guys, everyone’s doing it . [Via: Apple Insider ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:AT&T considering joining the Google Open Handset AllianceVerizon set to open its network to 'any app, any device' in 2008Verizon XV6800 available for online/phone ordersVerizon Wireless Coupe - an entry level handsetGoogle announces open mobile OS Android and Open Handset Alliance

Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android, as well as the OHA , will and has already profoundly changed the wireless landscape in the US. We’re getting a glimpse of just how radical the change is going to be. Verizon has just announced that it will be opening up its CDMA network to allow any phone and any application to access Verizon’s airwaves in 2008. The announcement marks a radical change in policy from the stodgy CDMA carrier. Verizon customers will be able to use any wireless device and any application on their network - products not sold by Verizon. The move echoes the OHA ’s “any app, any device” mantra that has garnered a healthy following and support. With Sprint and T-Mobile already on-board the OHA’s bandwagon, and AT&T considering the jump as well, it makes sense for Verizon to revise its stance on network lock-down and allow non-Verizon branded handsets onto its network. According to the press release, “In early 2008, the company will publish the technical standards the development community will need to design products to interface with the Verizon Wireless network. Any device that meets the minimum technical standard will be activated on the network.” Verizon is calling their locked-down network a “full-service” offering, whereby the carrier can control all aspects of the mobile experience and offer “full service” to all its customers - we’re going to read “full-service” as “controlled service.” The company claims that most people prefer the “full-service” experience, but will be accommodating the “small but growing number of customers who want another choice without full service.” Right. Only a small group want more choice at the expense of less control. Still, come next year, fans of Verizon’s network should be seeing a whole new world of handsets and applications open up before them. Now, that doesn’t mean the iPhone is coming to Verizon - the iPhone is an AT&T exclusive that Verizon already missed out on. But, the door’s still open for Verizon pick up any future Apple wireless products. We’re eager to see how this shapes up. Press release ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Verizon buys Ramcell network in Oregon and Kentucky - expands rural network coverageVerizon Bets $6bn On VOIP And Video CallingVerizon upgrades entire network to EV-DO Rev. AVerizon Is Industry Leader For Wireless Subscribers; Sprint Nextel Leader In Data UsageFCC approves open-access rules for upcoming 700Mhz wireless spectrum auction

Samsung’s going after the Asian cash-cow that is the Indian wireless market by releasing the CDMA Samsung Max as an open-market mobile phone offering. Hyundai Kim, Vice President and Head of the CDMA Division at Samsung Telecommunications India Pvt. Ltd., said, “We expect to fuel the growth of the Indian CDMA industry through the launch Samsung Max in the open market. Fully feature loaded Samsung Max is launched to serve the Multimedia needs of the CDMA consumer. The availability of CDMA phones in the open market will provide Indian consumers freedom to choose network operator’s of their choice.” The Samsung Max will be bringing a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, R-UIM card support, expandable memory, FM radio, voice recorder, MP3 player, and a 1.9-inch display to Tata Indicom and Reliance Mobile subscribers. Customers will be able to choose either CDMA carrier as their wireless provider - such is the beauty of an open-market phone. Indians in Delhi and Mumbai can get their hands on the Samsung Max for Rs. 7,500, with several other large cities expected to get the handset by December 2007. [Via: JustAMP ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Nokia owns 79% of the GSM market share in IndiaSamsung F700 coming to Verizon?T-Mobile launches Samsung T639 3G handset. T-Mobile 3G network to go live soon?Samsung C210 ultra-thin "Ultra 5.9" offically launchesT-Mobile launches Samsung T539 Beat

The hype and hoopla surrounding Google’s entry into the mobile space has fizzled out somewhat. Google’s Open Handset Alliance (OHA) announcement was huge, there’s no doubt about that - but as far as staying power, that announcement has already hit the back-burner. AT&T is looking to fire up the hype-machine again with AT&T wireless chief Ralph de la Vega’s announcement that Big Blue is considering joining the Android-supporting OHA. AT&T’s entry into the OHA would mark the carrier’s intention to sell handsets with the Linux-based Android mobile OS. If AT&T were to join the OHA, smaller carriers like Sprint and T-Mobile USA could get shafted out of their open-handset advantage. Larger carriers like Verizon and AT&T are notorious for locking down their handsets to only run code sanctioned by the carrier - Sprint and T-Mobile’s participation in the OHA would have given them an edge against the larger incumbents by offering innovative handsets to their subscriber-base. But, if AT&T ships Android-based handsets, we could see an even larger gap between the top US carriers and smaller (relatively) outfits like Sprint, and T-Mobile. [Via: Electronista] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Brief: Confirmed: Nokia in discussions with Google about Android, no decision has been made yetGoogle announces open mobile OS Android and Open Handset AllianceDetails on Google "Dream" Phone - could it be the HTC Omni?Nokia open to joining the Open Handset Alliance if it proves beneficialSymbian answers to Android threat: We've heard [...]