Behind the scenes Linux has become entrenched in mobile phones. The iPhone itself runs a slimmed down version of Mac OS X Leopard, and the upcoming Google phone will run Linux (perhaps Ubuntu, based on the popularity of the OS at Google).

But the list doesn't stop there. Linux Devices has a long list of phones running Linux, many of them only available outside the U.S. There are an increasing number of companies offering Linux environments on handsets including Limo, and Canonical's Ubuntu Mobile for MID devices. TuxMobil offers instructions for do-it-yourself Linux installation on mobile devices.

The real test of an operating system is what you can run on it, and here the Apple iPhone and the Google phone have a chance to shine. The mobile network providers have closed off the phone APIs for a long time, but with Apple's clout they convinced AT&T to make the phone an open device. The G-phone has the same promise, but it may be awhile before all (or most) devices are open.

The phone companies have long been afraid of being the pipe provider only, and have kept devices closed as a result. That model is now starting to show some cracks. Going forward, expect the trickle of open phones to increase until we get a flood of open devices.

¶ 7:13 AM