Virtualization has been the buzz word in the enterprise space. VMware has made waves with its software that allows companies to run multiple servers over a single physical server unit – reducing costs and making management easier. Companies such as VirtualLogix are doing to mobile handsets what VMware has done to the enterprise servers – offering virtualization solutions for mobile devices that would allow applications written on different OSs to run on the same mobile device.

An excerpt from BusinessWeek:

Handset makers could use virtualization to more easily replicate the features found in one another’s devices and confront the threat posed by Apple, which introduced the iPhone in 2007. Virtualization could also help cell-phone makers offer more features at a lower price. “Ultimately, the [handset] winner is going to be determined by their ability to manage security, costs, and time [to market],” says Steve Subar, CEO of Open Kernel. VirtualLogix got a push forward in its effort by a funding infusion from Motorola, unveiled on Apr. 21.

Virtualization also adds to the security aspect on mobile devices. Virtualization will help separate the core phone services from OS functions and add several layers of control.

An excerpt from Linux Devices:

• “Revenue Protection” — preserves revenue-generating functions, such as placing and receiving calls, in case Linux or another open OS fails
• Supports “trusted services” such as security agents, access control, and authentication, protecting them from potential corruption of the open OS
• Enables “premium service guarantees” to content providers and business users
• Functions such as OS monitoring and automatic restart are isolated from the open OS — allows system repair or restoration, if corruption occurs

Additional touted benefits not related to security include:

• Ability to run Linux without a separate applications processor
• Ability to re-use existing modem software without modification or re-validation
• Isolation of proprietary code from open source license requirements

Mobile devices are as much about hardware as they are about software. That is what makes virtualization in the mobile space all the more challenging. Devices vary in features ranging from on-board chip-sets to the size and features such as keyboard, display area etc. That is where the real challenge is – to get the applications tailored for different smartphones to work on the feature phones as well.

Smart phones are at the higher end of the mobile devices spectrum with separate OSs for running applications while feature phones are equipped with OS to run the essential phone services and some few applications. Virtualization is about making the best of smartphones available on the feature phones with little modification to the feature phone OS. More details can be found from this article on mobile virtualization guidelines at Linux Foundation.

In the next few years, virtualization in the mobile layer may have a big role to play in leveling the field for services from Apple on their iPhone and the offerings from Google’s Android and the other mobile Linux consortia.

Its the coolest mobile gadget pitted against the open mobile software stack with unprecedented possibilities. The iPhone was a major contributor to Apple’s 36% growth for the second quarter results. Google’s Android is the search giants major foray into the mobile applications platform space backed by the Open Handset Alliance of component manufactures and carriers including Intel, Samsung, Nvidia and Qualcomm. Both Apple and Google are vouching for third party software development to make their business model a success.

An excerpt from Fonearena:

The guys at Google were sounding pretty confident at the recently held Emerging Communications Conference in Silicon Valley, and they were saying that Android is not afraid of Apple iPhone platform and will easily outsell the later, that is some confidence Google guys are showing I must say. For the uninformed the Android SDK was downloaded over 750,000 times, Apple are you reading this, if yes, then please respond to these guys at Google.

The battle for mobile platform dominance is also the battle between constrained and open architectures. Apple is known for its control over hardware and software technologies. Google espouses the advantages of openness. Apple has the advantage that the iPhone is a pinnacle of innovation and its software is highly intuitive. Google is yet to see the results of spreading a software stacks across a multitude of devices. There are the advantages of greater reach but then the question of varied user experience across devices.

Apple had to loosen some of its control on the iPhone SDK when it saw what a phenomenal market the whole third party application development was growing into. Through a business model similar to iTunes, users will be able to buy software via the AppStore.

Here’s a technology chart comparing the iPhone SDK with Google’s Android (credit):

Google may certainly have the reach with its Android, but you can be sure that Apple will be looking to gain from having the most innovative mobile hardware platform. Moves such as the acquisition of P.A. Semi are targeted towards reducing the dependence on component manufacturers. Google may claim that it will trump Apple but the fact remains that iPhone has proven itself already while Android will be out only later this year.

And while the battle is on, lets not forget Microsoft, which owns a healthy stake in the mobile OS market. Redmond is not going to sit and watch the show from the fence. The recent acquisition of Danger is a case in point. It is to be noted that Andy Rubins, the Director of Mobile Platforms at Google and leading the Android effort was one of the founders of Danger.

The question comes down to which SDK model provides the best returns for third party developers. Google would have the reach while Apple has an established business model and a slick device. Surely the mobile market is large enough to accommodate both.