The Register carries a great interview of the founder of Symbian, one of the leading smartphone operating systems providers, currently promoted by Nokia, SonyEricsson, Siemens, etc.
On value proposition to customers: "People are trying to solve the computer problem, not the human problem, which is aligning the whole value chain. Everyone is fighting each other left, right and center - when they should be focusing on delivering a service for a customer. No customers ever expressed the wish that they wanted WAP."
On costs for mass market adoption:"Isn't there cost pressure, and Symbian phones are more expensive to make? - Not really. 3G adds the costs, and Symbian doesn't add much more. Nokia has Symbian in the middle range and it will push down. The 6600 will go where the 2200 is today."
On innovation: "No one has designed architecture for the home. We've got Wi-Fi and broadband and Bluetooth but there's no way to put it all together." (some attempts however here)
On devices: I have long said that all devices will converge but that consumers will by them primarily for their main function. Here is what he says: "You know, I used to think you could convert a lot of things to work well on the phone, but I'm older and wiser, I think. For example, making a phone a browser and an mp3 player. Each of those things are a lesser thing and you end up with what we call a 'spork' - you end up with a spoon and a fork. It's no good as a spoon and no good as a fork, but it's got both things."
ps: the next Symbian Exposium will be held in London in early October.
