Is Symbian dead? And if so, who killed it?

"We should declare victory and go home." --Apocryphal quote attributed to George David Aiken I hesitate to write anything abou...

A quick history of software platforms: How we got here, and where we're going

Intuit and Stanford recently asked me to give talks on computer platforms and what makes them successful. (By platforms I mean software wit...

Nokia: Running in molasses

Every time I think about Nokia and Symbian, I can't help picturing a man knee-deep in molasses, running as fast as he can. He's wor...

Symbian changes everything, and nothing

[With a correction made on June 26.] The Symbian Foundation announcement today is a fascinating change in business strategy, but I'm no...

Mobile applications, RIP

Summary: The business of making native apps for mobile devices is dying, crushed by a fragmented market and restrictive business practices....