| Most of the mobiles generally used are not | | | | With the help of virtualization all these features could |
| compatible for more than one or two multimedia or | | | | be integrated in one phone. It would definitely |
| web applications. Features found in one handset | | | | accelerate the phone-design process. |
| might be good for one application and not for other | | | | Lesser number of chips |
| applications. In such cases you can't experience the | | | | Virtualization could also reduce the number of chips |
| best applications in one single handset. But | | | | needed to run a phone. Typically a mobile phone |
| virtualization can sort out this problem. Virtualization | | | | require three processors. One base band processor |
| can be used by the handset makers to easily | | | | to communicate, an applications processor required |
| replicate the features used in other devices. It could | | | | for running applications like e-mail and a multimedia |
| help cell-phone makers provide a large number of | | | | chip, which handles graphics, audio, and video. But a |
| features at a lower price. | | | | virtualized phone can achieve all of the above with |
| The current scenario is that for each different | | | | just one or two processors instead of three. It would |
| operating system, Symbian, Microsoft's (MSFT) | | | | help the manufacturers to save $5 to $10 per phone. |
| Windows Mobile, or Google's (GOOG) Android, the | | | | Needs a boost |
| programmers have to rewrite each and every | | | | However the mobile-virtualization market is still in |
| application be it a game or a social networking | | | | nascent stage and require sudden boost to flourish. In |
| feature. It takes a lot of time. Let's see how | | | | a recent survey it has been found that less than 5% |
| virtualization would help sort out these issues. | | | | of some 200 engineer respondents used virtualization |
| Accelerate phone design process | | | | in phones or other consumer appliances. Almost 30% |
| Virtualization software would enable the mobile-phone | | | | of the respondents were not even familiar with this |
| makers to add several features regardless of the | | | | technology and half of them did not know of its |
| operating system. In such a way, any hand-set | | | | benefits. But the scenario may change in near future |
| manufacturer could use an e-mail application written | | | | as some of the big names like Motorola, Intel, Texas |
| for one system, calling features designed for another, | | | | Instruments, Cisco systems are investing in the |
| and a web-browsing application written for a third OS. | | | | projects related to virtualization. |