02.11.08
Spotting the Odd Ones at the Mobile World Congress Trade Show
Telling apart the ‘good’ phones and the ‘bad’ phones
An enormous number of press releases arrived from Spain earlier this morning. There is a large trade show there and Linux has a fantastic presence. However, in order to keep Linux an attractive and ever-growing mobile platform, there are dangers to be aware of.
Microsoft, well aware of its major losses in the mobile market (despite the new deal with Sony Ericsson) is trying to change the price of mobile Linux. This was last discussed only a week ago and the following new article from Reuters adds to this.
The world’s second largest cellphone maker Samsung, which has used Linux in its phones in 2006, launched new SGH-i800 phone model running on LiMo software at the Mobile World Congress trade show, while LG Electronics showed a prototype phone LG LiMo.
Be well aware of the fact that attempts were made (maybe still are) to push a patent poison called “Mono” right into LiMo, which can effectively then ‘infect’ other phones just like Novell infects other GNU/Linux distribution via GNOME (with Mono applications and an increasing number of loose dependencies).
You are reminded that LG and Samsung are both ‘patent buddies’ with Microsoft Corporation. Buying their products is therefore endorsing that Microsoft deserves a share of the profits made from Linux-based products. It supposedly gives validity to software patents in a vast number of countries where these are illegal and also gives a reward to a convicted monopolist for bluffing. █
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.