Dual ecosystem phones

 

This is a story about Jolla. It may sound like an infamous Linux distribution, but it’s not. It’s a little Helsinki (Nokia ground zero!) based startup and it reminds us a bit of Saygus. Jolla wants to use MeeGo, Nokia’s orphaned ecosystem and deliver the world an Android-friendly smartphone.
Here’s some juicy info on this company’s plans:

• The device will run HTML5 apps in addition to Qt apps

• It will also run Android apps in addition to its own native ‘house brand’ apps

• Using Openmobile and Dalvik VM will provide app compatibility between MeeGo and Android environments

• Screen real estate is going to be somewhere between 3.5 to 4″

The company is comprised mostly of ex-Nokia employees who believe the Meego OS deserves another shot in the market. I guess they weren’t paying attention the last few years. When Nokia switched over to Windows Phone and sold, but only managed to get 1 MeeGo phone out the door, it doesn’t say much in favor of Jolla’s eventual success. Then again, Jolla’s motto may be that MeeGo never got a fair chance from Nokia and was ditched too soon.
Most cross-platform customers who have used MeeGo appreciate the iOS-style interface. However, the development on MeeGo is lacking and therein, Jolla intends to pursue such work with passion. This is obviously a shot in the face of Nokia. Jolla executives and employees may believe in MeeGo, but the big question is, do customers believe in MeeGo with popular choices like Android and iOS staring at them on the shelves?