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5 Reasons why Samsung is pushing Bada now?

Posted on September 22nd, 2011Yale Holder
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It  seems that the smartphone OS world is settling on 2 players – Apple iOS, and Google Android (possibly Windows Phone OS in the long run – only because Microsoft has deep pockets and can stay the road). Almost every other OS has fallen down. Symbian from Nokia is dying, webOS from HP failed, BlackBerry is failing and will likely adopt Android, so why in light of this push Bada now?

Samsung, a leading manufacturer of Google’s Android platform and the number 2 selling smartphone manufacturer behind Apple with its Galaxy line of phones has decided to push a vendor controlled, relatively unknown OS called Bada (which means Ocean). Here are 5 reasons why Samsung would want to do this and reduce its reliance on Android:

  1. The current stiff between Google and Microsoft / Apple over patent infringement is a big concern for Manufacturers. Samsung had to delay releasing its 10″ Galaxy Tab because of legal injunctions.
  2. Google’s acquisition of Motorola, puts Google in a conflict of interest with its consortium of Android manufacturers, which makes it difficult to assess Google’s preferences in the future.
  3. As the number 2 manufacturer of Smartphones in Q2 2011, Samsung has more clout and sway now than it ever has and as a result if there ever a time to push its own OS, now is the time to do it
  4. Bada gives Samsung a way to differentiate from its Android peers and separate it brand from the pack
  5. Cross platform OS opportunity to smart TVs. Samsung plans to use Bada for the TV market which is it a big player.

All good reasons, and the fact that Samsung plans to move Bada to an open source platform, according to the Wall Street Journal, gives Samsung a fighting chance…..but it may not work. It will be difficult to drive the ecosystem for Bada development in an App duopoly given that most developers are settling on Android or iOS. While driving developer interest will be its biggest hurdle, managing an open source platform will be another.

What do you think, can Samsung make Bada work?

Should Samsung push Bada or stick with Android?

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1 comment Industry News, The Cell Phone Blog , ,
  • http://twitter.com/KyeHusbands Kye Husbands

    It’s definitely worth the attempt given the uncertainty with Android. However, developing a vibrant mobile OS community is no cakewalk and the odds are stacked heavily against Samsung. They should do both frankly and as they say, time will tell.