After targeting the market for virtualizing servers and clients, VMware has now set its sights on mobile phones, announcing Mobile Virtualization Platform (MVP) on Monday. The thin layer of software ultimately will be embedded in phones, allowing one device to support two or more operating systems. Imagine a phone that sports both Google’s Android OS and Windows Mobile. Or a phone that can handle your work contacts and applications, but switch to a personal profile after-hours.
This virtual machine may be a compelling technology for handset makers and carriers. It could enable them to bring phones to market with fewer headaches, allowing a single software profile that works regardless of hardware and operating system. Unlike the PC market, which is based on generally accepted standards, the mobile phone market has hundreds of different hardware and software combinations for phones. The other benefit for consumers is ease in upgrading to a new phone. “With virtual environments, they can copy the virtual machine files over to the new phone and get up and running quickly,” Krishnamurti said.
