Dana Blankenhorn writes:
The power of Windows lies in your ability to create and market profitable applications using it.
Yes, there’s a limit. Once Microsoft decides it wants your market, your cost of defending the market will likely exceed any incremental sales from that effort.
But Linux lacks Windows’ ability to make software profitable. And that is why Windows, not Linux, will lead the next evolution in cellular equipment.
Critics will point to big numbers for Symbian devices, and real growth in data applications like games and ringtones.
The ability of operators to restrict competition from Windows devices, combined with the increased cost of any Windows device (which includes the cost of licensing Windows) means there’s a bigger lead here.
But in terms of time, I don’t think that lead is decisive.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Small kernel, consumer electronics operating systems can’t stand against large kernel, expandable operating systems. Large kernel systems can be built-on in ways small kernel systems can’t handle.
Windows’ domination of the cellular space, in other words, is just a matter of time.
