In a short decade the mobile OS market has grown from a moribund, firmware-based world of limited-capacity phones into the most hotly contested battlefield in technology. Top Silicon Valley CEOs seem to agree that the future is mobile and are staking their companies on that bet. The battles are raging not only in the marketplace but in the courtroom, where patent lawsuits and court-ordered sales injunctions are flaring up worldwide. Where is the mobile handset market headed in the near-term future, and what advice should its players heed? A look back at history suggests several clues. Companies mentioned in this report include Apple, Google, Samsung and Research in Motion. For a full list of companies, and to read the full report, sign up for a free trial.