the new contenders in smartphone arena

[µT6]

"Would you ever consider buying a smartphone running U_buntu, Tizen, or Firefox as its operating system? For most of you, the answer is and will probably remain: No.

Why would you?  Android and iOS fight for worldwide domination, with no signs of slowing down. Both have extremely well-developed ecosystems that make sharing information across services and even across individual handsets a fairly simple, unified process. App development is strong, and OS updates are regular enough to give phone owners new party tricks to show off."

http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-57561675-85/no-we-dont-really-need-another-smartphone-os/

[Just17]

Would you ever consider buying a smartphone running U_buntu, Tizen, or Firefox as its operating system?

Sure!
Why not?
It is mostly the functions and performance of the phone that matter to users.
If any of those OSs outperform the Android/iOS/Win/'whatever is popular at the time', with as much or more functionality, then yes.

[tschommer]

It's just about the same as with Linux distros, graphics cards, motherboards, anything that gives you the choice to play around 

If it were for sheer productivity, you could be done with one set of hardware and software. But that's definitely not what it's all about, right?

[bicol_willem]

I go for the underdog. Always did, always will.

We can all see the damages done by monopolies. Fight it of by voting with your feet (or cash).

[johnmart]

The jury is still out on whether or not these other os's can really develop & deliver long-term.
If money is no object one can vote via foot.
But, for my money, I love android & will buy another. 

[µT6]

seeing how samsung is doing things, tizen can be extremely strong in 2 years

the idea of samsung is develop a phone that will be so unique, hardware and software that apple will have to copy them 

u_buntu, no chance, they need a miracle to do something, maybe on tablets, phones, not much people interested in that

firefox is who remains as a unknown offer, no idea how it will do