Mobile Crunch are reporting that a number of European mobile carriers are possibly planning to develop their own smartphone OS, which could see carriers like Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile work together to build their own OS.
The OS could be similar to what China Mobile has done, as they created their own OS based on Google Android, although the OS they created is completely different from the official Android code.
French newspaper Le Figaro has reported that Stephane Richard, chief executive officer of France Telecom-Orange, has invited the heads of Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica and Vodafone to discuss the possible creation of a common platform for mobile devices. The talks, which are scheduled to take place October 8th in Paris, are motivated by a view that Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating systems have become a “Trojan horse” for these companies to establish their own relationships with mobile customers, reducing the significance of the operators in the value chain.
Potential Benefits of a Unified European OS
The creation of a unified European mobile operating system could offer several potential benefits for both carriers and consumers. For carriers, having their own OS would mean greater control over the software and services offered on their devices. This could lead to more customized and localized services that better meet the needs of European consumers. Additionally, it could provide a new revenue stream through app stores and other digital services.
For consumers, a European OS could mean more competition in the mobile OS market, which is currently dominated by iOS and Android. This increased competition could lead to more innovation and better prices for consumers. Moreover, a European OS could be designed with privacy and data protection in mind, addressing concerns that many users have about the data practices of American tech giants.
Challenges and Considerations
However, developing a new mobile OS is not without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles would be gaining developer support. A new OS would need a robust ecosystem of apps to be competitive, and convincing developers to create apps for a new platform could be difficult. This is especially true given the dominance of iOS and Android, which already have extensive app ecosystems.
Another consideration is the technical challenge of developing and maintaining a new OS. This would require significant investment in research and development, as well as ongoing support and updates. The carriers would need to ensure that the OS is secure, user-friendly, and compatible with a wide range of devices.
There is also the question of market acceptance. Consumers are already familiar with iOS and Android, and convincing them to switch to a new OS could be a tough sell. The carriers would need to offer compelling reasons for consumers to make the switch, such as unique features or better integration with European services.
In conclusion, while the idea of a unified European mobile OS is intriguing and offers several potential benefits, it also comes with significant challenges. The success of such an initiative would depend on the ability of the carriers to collaborate effectively, attract developer support, and convince consumers to adopt the new platform. The upcoming talks in Paris will be a crucial step in determining whether this ambitious project can become a reality.
via Tech Crunch
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