My Chapter one Research Topic

FOMA™ SH904i launched today is based on Symbian OS
(http://www.symbian.com/news/pr/2007/pr20079078.html)

I have selected the “Symbian OS” for my review because it is unique, almost-open, and currently being used by six of the major manufacturers of cell phones. One day in the future, the cell phone will become the most important device you will own, and the “Symbian OS” will continue to adapt (new versions) to make this “Vision” happen.

In the early 90s, we saw PDA devices like the Sharp Zaurus and Psion's EPOC develop into our current Smartphone. The “Symbian OS” is the offspring of Psion's EPOC which operates exclusively on the ARM processors and is designed for mobile devices. The Symbian OS is a proprietary operating system, fashioned by the Symbian Ltd and controlled by the Symbian Supervisory Board... Symbian is currently owned by Nokia (47.9%), Ericsson (15.6%), Sony Ericsson (13.1%), Panasonic (10.5%), Siemens AG (8.4%) and Samsung (4.5%) and is in completion with other mobile operating systems. (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, and Linux)

In this article we see “Do Co Mo,” a Japan’s premier mobile communications company, entering the arena to compete with their new Cell phone FOMA SH904i. (In 2001, “Do Co Mo” came out with FOMA the world's first 3G mobile service based on W-CDMA) “Do Co Mo” will have to contend with the likes of Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, and Sharp. In addition, it is going to have to ascertain to the Japanese that they need a “Do Co Mo FOMA” Cell phone. Presently, Japan have 56 cell phones based on Symbian OS.

The capital spent into the new “Do Co Mo” cell phone hardware and software technology just might become a sunk cost, however, they cannot afford to let this new venture pass by because the communications links that they own, will be used to meet this up coming “Vision.” Yes, this is an important prospect for “Do Co Mo” and cannot be overlooked.

To be a dominate participant in the forthcoming Vision, “Do Co Mo” introduce the FOMA SH904i which is based on Symbian OS™. It has the Symbian OS, however, I believe “Do Co Mo” is setting up an “exclusive rights” that will require other manufacturers of cell phones to adopt a “licensed agreement” with “Do Co Mo.” The article does not tell much, but sometimes you need to read between the lines… I am sure we are going to see some kind of “Do Co Mo” MOJO here in the States.