New Smartphone OSes Taking Baby Steps Toward iOS, Android

Newcomers Firefox, Ubuntu, Sailfish and Tizen won't challenge Android's dominance anytime soon, but can still survive, according to analysts

Four new smartphone OSes intend to challenge the dominant position of Apple and Google. Mozilla's Firefox OS is the first out of the gate, but Canonical, Samsung Electronics and Intel, as well as Finnish upstart Jolla Mobile, are also getting their alternatives ready.

Phone makers and mobile operators are worried about the Android-iOS duopoly the smartphone market has evolved into. This concern has given birth to a new generation of OSes that its respective backers are hoping can make a mark.

Of the four challengers, Firefox OS is the furthest along and is already in devices on the market.