| Verizon chooses Linux "platform of choice" |
May 14, 2008
Verizon Wireless has chosen Linux as its mobile phone "platform of choice," it said. Starting with feature phones in 2009, followed by iPhone competitors, Verizon will offer Linux phones compliant with specifications from the Linux Mobile Foundation (LiMO), an international industry group it and seven other companies joined today.
In a press conference held by the LiMO Foundation, Verizon's Kyle Malady, network VP, said Verizon will continue to support support RIM (Blackberry), Windows Mobile, Palm, and Brew operating systems, and will consider supporting the Linux-based Google Android platform pushed by the Open Handset Association (OHA). In choosing LiMO over Google's Android platform, Malady said that Verizon Wireless liked LiMo's open, board-run model, and its membership of companies that have already succeeded in shipping Linux phones.
"We are wholeheartedly endorsing LiMo's approach, and we are investing company resources, but we see the opportunity to have both the OHA and LiMo succeed and/or work together," said Malady. "LiMo is our platform of choice, but if there comes a point where we see there is benefit for our customers we will use OHA as well."
The OHA and Google are taking a managed application approach to Linux phones, by doing everything -- even the phone UI -- in Java. LiMO, in contrast, is building standards around native Linux applications, so that Linux phones from different vendors have enough in common to simplify porting applications such as operator-specific user interfaces from one new model to the next.
Malady said he would not force Verizon Wireless handset partners to develop LiMo-based models, but said that "our partners are supportive." Morgan Gillis, the former Symbian Senior VP who last year defected to Linux and the LiMo Foundation, singled out LG, which makes phones for Verizon, noting that the company is a LiMo member.
While eight new members joined LiMo, only Verizon will be a "core" member -- occupying the last remaining seat on LiMo's board of directors, according to Gillis. Founded in 2007 by six of the biggest Linux phone heavyweights at the time, the LiMo Foundation has now grown to 40 members.
Significantly, three of the new LiMO members are carriers. In most markets, including the U.S., carriers have the most power to determine which mobile phone models ultimately reach consumers. In addition to Verizon, other new LiMO carrier members include the French provide SFR, and the Korean provider SK Telecom.
For more details, click below to read the rest of this story at our sister site, LinuxDevices.com.
Verizon, seven others join Linux phone org
-- Eric Brown. Henry Kingman also contributed to this report.
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