This document discusses the mobile platform market and levels of openness. It describes the history of mobile platforms from 1G to 4G networks and the evolution of devices from basic phones to smartphones. The major mobile platforms are described - Symbian, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows Mobile/Windows Phone 7, and Android. Factors for developers to consider when choosing a platform are discussed, such as the application purpose, target audience, and platform limitations. Levels of openness for platforms are also covered, with Android and Symbian noted as the most significant open source options.

1. MobilE platform warFree Software Conference, 2010Gábor Török

2. ContentIntroductionAbout mobile marketMobile platformsFrom developers’ perspectiveLevels of openness

3. HistoryMilestones: mobile calls, PDA functionality, data transmission, convergenceSome important boosting factorsNetwork enhancements across generations from 1G to 4GTechnical innovations, miniaturization of handheld devicesImproving & opening operating systems from the beginning of 2000 (Symbian) until today (Android)Spread of mobile phones, increase in ratio of smart/regular phones

4. Categories of mobile phonesLow-end: most basic functionality (calls, SMS, calendar, notes, etc.), no option for 3rd-party applicationsMid-range or feature phones: better display, improved network capabilities, 3rd-party software (Java ME), FM-radio, camera, etc.High-end or smartphones: best in category devices, lots of memory, fast CPU, use of enhanced technology (WiFi, GPS, accelerometer, quality camera, etc.), lots of options for development.

5. ConvergenceDefinition: integration of such features into the mobile phone that have required separate devices so far. The aim for the user is to carry as few devices used for different purposes as possible.Examples: digital camera, camcorder, FM-radio, MP3 player, GPS, etc.

6. ContentIntroductionAbout mobile marketMobile platformsFrom developers’ perspectiveLevels of openness

7. Today’s market

8. Market share trends

9. Market share vs usage

10. Mobile ecosystemThere WAS a time when technical specification was king. Today the ecosystem rules.What is ecosystem?Briefly: the complete mobile value chain from manufacturers to network operators to users, etc.Aim is to increase post-sales revenuesAs complete control over the whole value chain as possibleIntroduction of new services, such as app stores, mobile payment, advertisements, Nokia LifeTools, iTunes, Comes with Music, etc.

11. ContentIntroductionAbout mobile marketMobile platformsFrom developers’ perspectiveLevels of openness

12. SymbianMost widely used mobile OS: 40+%10+ years old, optimized for mobile from the beginningOpen source, Eclipse licenseNative language is C++, but there are many other options for development(Still) Closely related to Nokia

13. BlackBerryMarket share is below 20%, most popular in North-AmericaOn the market since 2002Enterprise phone with very efficient network managementLatest operating system is BlackBerry OS 6.0, but QNX is expected to replace itDevelopment mainly in Java ME environment, but web widgets are also supported

14. iOSNearly 17% market shareMaster of user experience (simple, multi-touch)iPhone introduced in 2007More than 250k mobile applications in App StoreNative SDK, web applicationsTightly controlled ecosystem

15. Windows Mobile/Windows Phone 7Market share around 5%, significant fall since 2008Meant to give the same experience as on desktop WindowsUsed rather as an enterprise phone than multimediaLots of choices for development (WinMo 6.5)Windows Phone 7 will soon replace Windows Mobile 6.5, from when on only Silverlight-based development will be possible.

16. AndroidLinux-based mobile technology. Not an operating system per se, but an application framework.Open source, Apache 2.0 licenseDevelopment in a Javaish language and at native-level (C/C++)First phone shipped in 2008 (HTC Dream – G1)Android Market – mostly free applicationsSpreading at an unbelievable speedOpen Handset Alliance

17. ContentIntroductionAbout mobile marketMobile platformsFrom developers’ perspectiveLevels of openness

18. Development environments

19. Business modelsOne-off paid appsFree application with in-app purchaseAd-supportedFreemiumDynamic model: free first then paid-forSold to operatorsFreeware

20. Which platform to choose?Important areas to consider:Purpose of the applicationWho is it targeted for?Geographical locationCounting with platform limitationsMobile is different from desktopDevices with limited capabilitiesLess reliable network, communicationDifferent user experience

21. ContentIntroductionAbout mobile marketMobile platformsFrom developers’ perspectiveLevels of openness

22. Levels of opennessMost significant open source platforms: Android, SymbianExpected advantages

23. About meGábor Török10 years experience in mobileFive time Forum Nokia Championgabor[dot]i[dot]torok[at]gmail[dot]comhttp://mobile-thoughts.blogspot.com/http://hu.linkedin.com/in/gabortorok

24. Questions