Presumably the new crop of phones will be using the latest Android build, RC33, with an array of enhancements, which is just now appearing on , the first Android phone.

The LiMo Foundation has released reference implementations for the latest version, R2, of its mobile Linux middleware stack. The code is targeted at operators who can use it to customize a Linux phone at various levels. R2 improves device management, adds an array of security enhancements and improves Web browsing. Ten LiMo phones from NEC and Panasonic will be at MWC, along with prototypes from LG Electronics and Samsung. The foundation also announced plans to include the Bondi specification in the LiMo stack. is a standard way for Web applications to access phone features and functions, such as a camera or calendar.

"The operators have expressed a clear interest in reducing the number of operating systems in their portfolios, and Linux, Symbian, and Windows Mobile appear to be the preferred OS [options]," says Chris Schreck, research analysts with IMS Research. "I don't expect Windows Mobile or Symbian to disappear in the smartphone space, but I do expect Linux to grow its market share in 2009."