Mobile internet devices ripe for virtualization

In the vein of Microsoft’s “embrace and extend” philosophy, it seems as though virtualization magnate VMware may be prepping itself to make further strides into the telecom market. In November, VMware announced its new VMware Mobile Virtualization Platform (MVP), and it acquired Paris-based telecom startup Trango Virtual Processors. Trango says its products are squarely aimed at the embedded market, which includes handhelds, mobile internet devices, and cell phones. As Virtualization Review columnist Tom Valovic correctly notes, the mobile device market is in a state of flux right now with the ramp up from what were once just basic cell phones, to the now ubiquitous MID, or mobile internet device. Cell phones are now basically tiny computers, with tiny “desktops” that VMware probably sees as a new market niche. Or at least they should.  We’re keeping our eye on VMware for further announcements regarding this.