Linux emergencing as the mobile platform choice

[Colin Dunstan]

NewsForce has a quick write up of how open-source Linux could become the most appealing platform choice for mobile devices such as smartphones and PDAs, due to low manufacturers' development costs and maintenance requirements.

Everything looks like PalmSource is doing it right by focusing on a linux version of its Palm operation system:

Perhaps even more significantly, in December, PalmSource, whose Palm OS has garnered noteworthy acceptance in the smartphone space, purchased China MobileSoft Ltd., which developed 30 mobile phones for the Asian market, a few of which rely on its variation of Linux. PalmSource's Mace noted that the company plans to support its PalmOS, but views Linux as its principal operating system in the future. The firm has not set a delivery date for its Linux version of PalmOS but expects to make its plans clearer at its developers conference in the spring.

Once that product is available, Linux could become a more attractive option to ISVs. "Linux provides a great deal of flexibility to developers, but some prefer a more packaged operating system where they don't have to make as many design decisions and complete as much integration work," noted Bill Weinberg, Open Source Architecture Specialist at Open Source Development Labs, Inc. "A Linux version of PalmOS could address their concerns."

Because of such changes, the much anticipated union between Linux and smartphones is taking shape and the open source operating system is emerging as a key smartphone platform.