“At first it may look like just another deal to put Linux
onto a screenphone, but in reality this week’s Red Hat-Ericsson
alliance has far broader scope and implications. Ultimately it
could turn out to have been one of the pivotal breakthroughs in the
implemention of a Linux-based version of .NET.”
“Although the first product of the deal will be an Ericsson
Cordless Screen Phone running Embedded Red Hat Linux, the points to
note are that first, it’s intended as an end-to-end alliance, and
second that it puts the highest shipping Linux outfit into bed with
a company with lots of bucks and expertise in networking, wireless,
consumer markets and telecommunications in general. For Red Hat
there’s a massive boost in business credibility associated with
this.”
“The two will be developing consumer products using Linux, Java,
broadband and Bluetooth technology, but there’s plenty extra beyond
that. They’ll be designing Internet services “specifically
targeting operators (telecommunications, Internet and Application
Service Providers) that are increasingly looking to offer consumers
new, easy-to-use and innovative levels of service.”