Its been reported this week that Samsung may be looking to release its Bada operating system as Open-Source sometime in 2012 in an attempt to minimize its reliance on Android and Google.
Bada is a mobile phone operating system which has been developed by Samsung and its name is derived from the word meaning ocean or sea in Korean. Back in 2010, Samsung released an SDK kit to attract developers to use the Bada Platform.
In August this year, Samsung released its version 2.0 of the SDK which brought with it many new enhancements over its predecessors. With the launch of Samsung’s Wave device, Samsung also opened an international application store, which has around 3000+ applications currently available to purchase or download for free. Samsung will be hoping that the release of Bada as an Open-source development platform will increase this number.
The Evolution of Bada
Bada’s journey began with the introduction of the Samsung Wave, the first smartphone to run on the Bada OS. The Wave series was designed to showcase the capabilities of Bada, featuring high-quality hardware and a user-friendly interface. Over time, Samsung continued to improve the Bada platform, adding new features and functionalities to keep up with the rapidly evolving mobile industry.
One of the key enhancements in Bada 2.0 was the introduction of multitasking, which allowed users to run multiple applications simultaneously. This was a significant improvement over the previous version and brought Bada closer to competing with other major mobile operating systems like Android and iOS. Additionally, Bada 2.0 included support for Near Field Communication (NFC), which enabled users to make contactless payments and share data with other NFC-enabled devices.
Impact on the Mobile Industry
Even though Bada isn’t widely known, it has still made a significant mark within the mobile industry and is one of the fastest-growing fledgling platforms. Samsung’s decision to open-source Bada could have far-reaching implications for the mobile ecosystem. By making Bada open-source, Samsung aims to attract a broader community of developers who can contribute to the platform’s growth and innovation.
Open-sourcing Bada could also reduce Samsung’s dependence on Android, giving the company more control over its software and reducing potential conflicts with Google. This move could be particularly important as Samsung continues to expand its presence in the smart TV market. By integrating Bada into its smart TVs, Samsung could create a unified ecosystem that spans multiple devices, offering a seamless user experience.
Moreover, the open-source nature of Bada could foster greater collaboration and innovation within the developer community. Developers would have the freedom to modify and improve the platform, potentially leading to new features and applications that could enhance the overall user experience. This collaborative approach could also help Bada gain traction in emerging markets, where there is a growing demand for affordable smartphones with robust features.
Examples of successful open-source projects, such as the Android operating system and the Linux kernel, demonstrate the potential benefits of this approach. By leveraging the collective expertise of the developer community, Samsung could accelerate the development of Bada and position it as a viable alternative to other mobile operating systems.
In conclusion, Samsung’s decision to release Bada as an open-source platform in 2012 represents a strategic move to diversify its software portfolio and reduce its reliance on Android and Google. With its rich feature set and growing developer community, Bada has the potential to become a significant player in the mobile industry. As Samsung continues to innovate and expand its ecosystem, the future of Bada looks promising.
Source: Slashgear
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
