South Korea to create own smartphone OS

Andre Yoskowitz
23 Aug 2011 14:11

South Korea is set to create its own alternative to Android and iOS, building a new smartphone OS for hometown champs LG and Samsung.
The country will allegedly begin developing the project by the end of the year.

Says Kim Jae-hong, deputy minister at the Ministry of Knowledge Economy:

We will forge ahead in developing a new kind of operating system, which is being seen as a next-generation product, in order to build the kind of advantage we do not enjoy in the market for smartphones and tablet PCs, which is dominated by Google and Apple.

Jae-hong confirmed that Google's move to purchase Motorola was the catalyst for the new OS, as LG and Samsung are afraid Google may eventually enter the hardware business and cannibalize everyone else.

The new OS will be open, and accessible by the general community.