OSDL promotes Linux on phones

Motorola, PalmSource and MontaVista vie for attention

The Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) has unveiled a new working group to boost adoption of Linux in mobile systems. The Mobile Linux Initiative (MLI) will work to develop Linux and open-source apps for mobile phones, the organisation said.

OSDL, which employs Linux creator Linus Torvalds, said it had created the MLI group in response to input from its members and to meet a growing global demand for Linux-based mobiles.

The first companies to announce their participation are vendors already involved in mobile and embedded Linux, including Motorola, PalmSource and MontaVista Software. The move reflects a growing interest in Linux in the mobile phone industry.

The open-source platform offers device makers a faster, low-cost route to market and broader driver support than is generally available with other mobile operating systems. "Linux provides mobile device manufacturers with a powerful platform and unmatched interoperability to deliver new capabilities in advanced handsets," argued Stuart Cohen, chief executive of OSDL.

The MLI is hoping to emulate the success of the Carrier Grade Linux working group that has encouraged use of Linux in the telecoms industry, Cohen added. Mike Kelley, senior vice-president of engineering at PalmSource said, "With OSDL bringing together key players in the mobile market, we believe that it will be possible to provide technically sound Linux implementations for mobile devices; deliver the business benefits we expect; and give our customers more choice and value in the services and products that we can offer."

The company is already working to port its Palm OS environment to serve as the user interface for Linux-based handsets. The platform, which is codenamed Palm OS for Linux, is expected to be released early next year, and will also allow phones to run many existing Palm applications. Other participants in the MLI group include Trolltech, whose Qtopia platform provides an application framework and user interface for Linux-based phones; and Motorola and embedded operating system specialist Wind River.

OSDL was founded by Intel, IBM, Computer Associates, Hitachi, HP, and NEC, and now includes over 60 firms involved in developing and promoting Linux.