IT Manager's Journal

Google unveiled a mobile phone at a trade show this week in Barcelona, Spain, that's outfitted with its new open source software platform, Android. ARM, a member of the Open Handset Alliance which is developing the platform, calls the unit a prototype; the first consumer unit is expected to be publicly available later this year.

Nipping at Google's heels, Purple Labs announced that mobile industry consortium LiMo Foundation has certified its Linux-based feature phone, Purple Magic. According to a press release, the Purple Magic will "further accelerate mass adoption of LiMo as the leading global mobile Linux platform." While healthy competition between both organizations will help speed Linux mobile platforms to market, at least one analyst says he's "concerned that the competition will cloud the real benefit of Linux being open."

According to an interview with Ubuntu server team member Soren Hansen, Ubunutu's next version, Hardy Heron, will ship with virtualization software Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM). He says virtualization is a great option for people with any level of experience. "As a user, you can run the next version of Ubuntu to test it before you upgrade your real system. As a developer, you can use it to work on the kernel without having to reboot your host system all the time. As a sysadmin, you can use it to keep your services separated on your servers." Kelly Fiveash of The Register notes that it's also a good way for Ubuntu to set itself apart from main rivals Red Hat and Novell, which used Xen-based virtualization solutions.

Speaking of virtualization, eWeek's Jim Rapoza calls it one of "the most overhyped technologies of the century." He acknowledges that virtualization is useful, but says claims that it will eventually lead to the demise of personal computers is patently ridiculous. On the other hand, CNET's Gordon Haff says it's time to look long and hard at what impact virtualization is having on the open source community -- and vice versa.