Samsung Should Build Own OS - Manila Bulletin

By ALLAN D. FRANCISCO

Samsung predicts it will sell some 10 million copies of its latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S III, by July 2012. Most sane people would find it hard to disagree with that forecast. After all, the GS3 is one of the best smartphones ever, regardless of the platform.

Unless the next iPhone (iPhone 5 or New iPhone) comes with a pair or more of amazingly out-of-this-world features, the Korean giant will most likely hold on to its smartphone crown for the next quarter or two.

Interestingly, there are media reports of scarcity of Galaxy S III phones in the market. It seems retail outlets are hard pressed to satisfy stronger-than-expected demand for the smartphone. Shades of the iPhone and the near-crazy level of demand that the Apple smartphone generates, most observers would say. Although Samsung might not be as cool as Apple, it certainly is doing a better job than Tim Cook's company, at least in terms of creating and selling smartphones.

I think, however, Samsung should never be satisfied with being a mere cog in the Android army. Of course, it accounts for that army's biggest brigade, but why settle for being a mere follower when you can have your own army to command.

Samsung should build its own smartphone OS to run its wonderful lines of smartphones. It does not have to turn its back on Android and Windows Phone. The company, however, should seriously consider creating its own ecosystem. This would mean greater control and bigger profits. Would such a move make sense? Of course, it would. How many of the millions of consumers who own a Galaxy S phone really care what OS it comes with? Did they buy the Galaxy S out of loyalty to the Android platform?

$150 Billion iPhone

I hate to say it, but the iPhone has generated more revenue than all the banana republics combined. Since its launch in June 2007, Steve Jobs' smartphone has brought $150 billion into Apple's coffers. Now, which among the bunch of the aforementioned countries has generated revenue anywhere near that amount?

According to Strategy Analytics, they have factored out income from accessories, apps, and software and services from their calculation of the iPhone revenue. Their calculations focused solely on hardware sales.

Samsung & Windows Phone 8

Some industry observers claim that Microsoft must win Samsung's support for its next-generation mobile OS Windows Phone 8 to have some meaningful traction in the market.

Imagine how much of a market impact a Galaxy S III-level smartphone would have for WP8. I think aside from prompting critics and consumers to acknowledge that indeed the Windows Phone 8 “has arrived,” such level of support would generate some serious sales numbers for the latest (and last?) Windows mobile OS.

That's all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.