Nokia Dumps Symbian and Creates Symbiosis with Linux

khess 0 435 Views

To get down and dirty in mobile phone competition, decides to take on Apple and Google by adopting the Linux platform for its new N-Series phones. Back in February of this year, and Nokia to create the MeeGo mobile phone platform.

This bold move allows Nokia to compete more effectively with Apple's iPhone and Google's Android-based phones. The MeeGo platform features rich applications via the blending of the Moblin Linux distribution and Linux-based Maemo.

Nokia realizes that the mobile space is competitive and Apple's iPhone has displaced Nokia's dominance in that space. Interestingly, this announcement comes on the same day as the release of the much anticipated Apple iPhone 4.


All About MeeGo

MeeGo is an open source, Linux project which brings together the Moblin project, headed up by Intel, and Maemo, by Nokia, into a single open source activity. MeeGo integrates the experience and skills of two significant development ecosystems, versed in communications and computing technologies. The MeeGo project believes these two pillars form the technical foundations for next generation platforms and usages in the mobile and device platforms space.

MeeGo includes:

  • Performance optimizations and features which enable rich computational and graphically oriented applications and connected services development.
  • No-compromise internet standards support delivering the best web experiences.
  • Easy to use, flexible and powerful UI/app development environment based on Qt.
  • Open source project organization managed by the Linux Foundation.
  • State of the Art Linux stack optimized for the size and capabilities of small footprint platforms and mobile devices, but delivering broad linux software application compatibility.

MeeGo currently targets platforms such as netbooks/entry-level desktops, handheld computing and communications devices, in-vehicle infotainment devices, connected TVs, and media phones. All of these platforms have common user requirements in communications, application, and internet services in a portable or small form factor. The MeeGo project will continue to expand platform support as new features are incorporated and new form factors emerge in the market.

Dani AI

Generated

Good call by spotting Nokia’s move toward a Linux-based stack, but the “Nokia Dumps Symbian” headline is a bit overstated. Nokia did position MeeGo as a strategy for future high-end devices, yet Symbian remained an active platform while the company reconsidered its direction. The decisive pivot came when Nokia and Microsoft announced a broad partnership on February 11, 2011 that made Windows Phone Nokia’s primary smartphone strategy; Nokia still delivered one MeeGo handset afterward (the N9). Microsoft announcement (news.microsoft.com)

For ’s timing question: the MeeGo-based Nokia N9 was announced in June 2011 and reached stores later that year; reviewers praised its design and software, but Nokia curtailed further MeeGo development soon after, leaving the N9 as a one-off commercial release rather than the start of a large MeeGo lineup. Intel and others then shifted efforts into the Tizen project, while some former MeeGo contributors carried the work forward into community forks and companies such as Jolla (Sailfish OS). See a contemporary review and the reporting on MeeGo → Tizen. Wired/Ars Technica coverage (wired.com)

Practical takeaway for developers and readers arriving years later: MeeGo itself is essentially historical, but its artifacts live on. Qt (the primary app framework for Maemo/MeeGo) moved out of Nokia’s control into Digia’s stewardship and continued evolving, so migrating MeeGo-era Qt code to modern Qt (5/6) is the least-friction path if maintenance is required. If building for mainstream phones today, target Android/iOS or cross-platform toolkits; if exploring MeeGo descendants, Sailfish OS and Tizen are the realistic niche continuations (Sailfish keeps Qt support; Tizen is used in certain TVs and wearables). [Qt history / Mer → Sailfish notes / Tizen background]. (wiki.qt.io)

Quick cautions: the N9’s positive reviews didn’t change Nokia’s strategy, so historic enthusiasm didn’t guarantee platform longevity. For any legacy MeeGo work, prioritize porting to supported toolchains and look to Sailfish or Linux-embedded targets rather than expecting a revived MeeGo phone ecosystem.

Member Avatar for iddaa
iddaa 0 Newbie Poster

thank you very much for this idea.

Member Avatar for DameMak
DameMak 0 Newbie Poster

Ohh Nokia, Ohh Intel. Idea is excellent BUT WHEN WE WILL SEE THE FIRST PHONES? When iPhone 4 is sold in 100 Million pieces? :-(

Member Avatar for great2010
great2010 0 Newbie Poster

LOL，I think we will see this phone A.S.A.P. Good luck.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.

Edit Preview