Nokia said to be developing Linux-based Meltemi OS to replace S40 on low end phones

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › Nokia said to be developing Linux-based Meltemi OS to replace S40 on low end phones

alexx

867 posts

Ultimate Geek

#90847 30-Sep-2011 20:10

Several sites are running the story that Nokia is developing a Linux-based OS called Meltemi to replace S40 on feature phones.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203405504576599011587667984.html
http://blog.gsmarena.com/linux-based-meltemi-could-be-replacing-s40-for-nokias-low-end-phones/

The story fits in with the statement from Nokia, that Qt will be core to "bringing applications to the next billions users"... even though S40 doesn't run Qt, Symbian supports Qt, but is being phased out and the N9 would be the first and last Nokia Meego phone.

http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/news/item/13025_Nokia_Connection_N9_MeeGo_Harm.php
http://www.developer.nokia.com/Community/Blogs/blog/nokia-developer-news/2011/06/21/future-of-qt-bringing-apps-to-next-billion

People have thought this would mean that Qt support would be added to the S40 platform, but that is certainly not the only option. There is a Nokia world conference coming in London, October 2011, so I would expect people to be asking Nokia about Meltemi and their previous "connecting the next billion" statements.

#include <standard.disclaimer>

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
78908 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#527862 30-Sep-2011 20:24

Trust the WSJ, a newspaper that tells you "Nokia Corp., having abandoned its ambition to develop a high-end operating system, is shifting its programming efforts toward creating software for its low-end phones, according to people familiar with the matter." (under the video) but actually shows an HP Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition.

Also when the guy says "software is the best business because can sell ads, apps" and Jessica asks "but if this is low end then it won't run any app, how you make money?"... The guy can't answer that.

Sure...

My technology disclosure

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

Technofreak

6512 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#527875 30-Sep-2011 21:19

alexx: the N9 would be the first and last Nokia Meego phone.

Where has Nokia actually said the N9 will be the only ever Meego phone? There are plenty of tech sites making this statement but I don't believe Nokia have come out and said so. I think Nokia may have said the N9 will be the only Meego phone this year, but that's all.

I wouldn't place too much credibility on information originating out of the US regarding what Nokia is up to.

While Nokia have a tremendous amount riding on the success of the WP7 platform and it's successors I don't believe they have bet the company on WP7 as being the only option for their high end smart phones.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

billgates

4704 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#527884 30-Sep-2011 22:08

I watched the entire Nokia keynote during MWC 2011 and they clearly said that they will release 3 meego devices by 2014. Watching and reading Nokia executives interviews, its clear that they are betting the company on windows phone.

Do whatever you want to do man.

alexx

867 posts

Ultimate Geek

#527887 30-Sep-2011 22:13

Technofreak:
alexx: the N9 would be the first and last Nokia Meego phone.

Where has Nokia actually said the N9 will be the only ever Meego phone? There are plenty of tech sites making this statement but I don't believe Nokia have come out and said so. I think Nokia may have said the N9 will be the only Meego phone this year, but that's all.

In the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat there is this article:
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Nokia+CEO+Stephen+Elop+rules+out+possible+comeback+of+MeeGo/1135267179932

Helsingin Sanomat:
In Elop's words, there is no returning to MeeGo, even if the N9 turns out to be a hit.

Not sure what other meaning "there is no returning to MeeGo" can have, other than no more MeeGo phones from Nokia.

However, it is his some of his other statements in that interview that begin to make more sense, if this Meltemi OS phone is actually under development. For example:

Helsingin Sanomat:
“The N9 features many new breakthroughs related to its usability, design, and materials, which we will be utilising and developing further in our upcoming models. I cannot speak of them more specifically just yet, but they will soon become apparent”, Elop said.

In the interview he is talking up Qt, but not Meego, but where will Qt run if not Meego?

#include <standard.disclaimer>

Technofreak

6512 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#527894 30-Sep-2011 22:36

Alexx,

There is plenty of contradictory information floating around some of it originating from what various people like Stephen Elop have said or been quoted as saying. I think in some cases comments have been taken out of context and others have been "lost in translation" and I use that term very loosely.

My take on the comment from Stephen Elop that you quote is, that while Meego was originally intended to be the primary/only platform for Nokia's high end smartphones, as they have adopted the WP7 platform there will be no return to Meego as Nokia's primary platform for their high end smart phones and not that there will be no more Meego devices.

To back up my thoughts on what Stephen Elop was saying, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that there could/will be more Meego devices. Time will tell if this happens.

I doubt they would plan to release only one Meego device, though perhaps if as you suggest with the QT development, Meego was being used to develop a move to Meltemi, then I concede that is a possibility. However I believe it the comments about the development with QT could just as easily apply to future Meego devices. Right now my money is on at least a few more Meego devices.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5