Today’s mobile roundup features RIM’s plan to open source BlackBerry OS, Samsung to unveil cloud service, Apple’s 4G issue in Australia and more.

BlackBerry OS open source

Research in Motion is kind of like Apple in that their operating system only works for their devices.  This worked well for Apple and in previous years, for RIM, too.  But now, more people are purchasing Android-based devices and of course iOS, leaving RIM out in the cold.

Now RIM is looking to open source their BlackBerry OS to be more competitive in the market, a move similar to HP’s after the PC manufacturer realized they too were losing relevance in the mobile market with webOS.

“We get a lot of offers to make BlackBerry operating system open for other manufacturers to manufacture phones based on this OS. But we are yet to take a call on that,” said Carlo Chiarello, senior vice president, smartphone business at RIM.

Though RIM did not confirm this, there is a huge possibility things could go this way.  But the question is, do we really need another open source platform?  And is the BlackBerry OS what consumers want?

Samsung to announce more than a new device

Everyone’s is intrigued as to what Samsung would be unveiling on their May 3 event in London’s Earl’s Court.  Some speculations include an official Olympic device with NFC capabilities and a new line of Galaxy smartphones.  But as the event nears, we’re hearing more rumors.

According to some sources, Samsung will be unveiling a Galaxy smartphone and tablet that complement each other.  And some sources say that aside from Galaxy devices, Samsung will also be launching their cloud service dubbed S-Drive.  The cloud service will be in direct competition with Apple’s iCloud, and possibly Google’s purported G-Drive, but the difference is that Samsung’s cloud service claims to have no restrictions as to what content consumers put in there.  It’s expected to come with the standard 5GB free storage.

Apple’s 4G conundrum and rumors

Apple is facing a lawsuit in Australia over the new iPad.  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) filed a case against Apple for their misleading ads regarding the 4G capabilities of the new iPad as the device isn’t compatible with Australia’s 4G networks.  Apple was expected to settle, they even agreed to some terms of the ACCC, but decided to go for a court hearing instead.

Apple filed a claim in court that stated that their ads were not misleading, but it was Australia’s 4G that is misleading.

“The iPad with WiFi + 4G is a device which performs in accordance with the descriptor ‘4G’ in terms of data transfer speed,” Apple argued in its brief, according to the Australian, which first reported on the document. “The descriptor ’4G’ … conveys to consumers in Australia that the iPad with WiFi + 4G will deliver a superior level of service in terms of data transfer speed (consistent with accepted industry and regulatory use of that term), and not that the iPad with WiFi + 4G is compatible with any particular network technology promoted by a particular mobile service provider in Australia.”

Apple is using the International Telecommunications Union’s amendment in the scope of 4G definition which is:

“As the most advanced technologies currently defined for global wireless mobile broadband communications, IMT-Advanced is considered as ’4G,’ although it is recognized that this term, while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMax, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed.”

So if the Australian court accepts Apple’s argument, they won’t have to do anything for Australian consumers since they are not at fault.  The question is, would that argument hold up in court?

In other Apple news, the next iPhone is said to be encased in “metallic glass,” or Liquidmetal, which is 20 times stronger than the current encasement.  Dubbed the iPhone 5, the device is rumored to be launched in October.

In other mobile news

HTC announced a smartphone made especially for the Japanese market.  The HTC J is based on the HTC One S and feature the same 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, Android 4.0, advanced camera and audio features.  IT will be available on KDDI, Japan’s second largest mobile phone operator, starting next month.

China Mobile launched their 4G technology in Hong Kong as they continue to expand their 4G reach in Chinese territories.  At present, they’re the only Chinese network not selling Apple iPhones and with this 4G expansion, it may open the door for them to sell Apple’s flagship smartphone.  The company also reported a 3.5% in quarterly profits.