Who would have believed just 20 years ago that you could build a successful computer operating system using only volunteers, working without a plan or assigned tasks to produce a quality product that garners a 25 percent market share?

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Still, that has not deterred other vendors from experimenting, or at least considering the open-source operating system, as multiple reports of Firefox, Sailfish, and Tizen plan to release new Linux-based experiences in the future.

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The company previously announced a plan to adopt Microsoft Windows Phone 7 as the primary operating system for future smart phones.

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In July, Palm Inc. surprised no one when it announced a plan to split into two companies, with a spinoff of the operating-system software unit likely by early 2003.

FORBES: Handhelds across America

Compaq still sells Digital's powerful Unix operating system, which competes against similar products from IBM and Sun, but Compaq's plan is to move the bulk of its customers over to the Wintel combination of Intel microprocessors and Microsoft software.

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Apple could preview the new software, which is expected to be part of its next mobile-operating system, as soon as next week at its annual developer conference, one person familiar with the plan has said.

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Compaq still sells Digital's powerful Unix operating system, which competes against similar products from IBM and Sun, but Compaq's long-range plan is to move the bulk of its customers over to the so-called Wintel combination of Intel microprocessors and Microsoft software.

FORBES: Bon apptit!