When it comes to a Linux-based mobile platform, Google’s Android captures more than its fair share of the wireless industry’s attentions. The Android initiative is spearheaded by Google, after all. But, that doesn’t mean Android is the only game in the Linux mobile market. In fact, while Android struggles with bad press from unfair developer partnerships [...]

LiMo Foundation is steadily gaining momentum. Industry seems to be scared of Google's Open Handset Alliance and they're jumping to other big Linux group. That being said, LiMo has announced the addition of new member companies — Infineon Technologies, Kvaleberg AS, Mozilla Corporation, Red Bend Software, Sagem Mobiles, SFR, SK Telecom and Verizon Wireless, which [...]

We've almost missed this one. Just before the CTIA has started, LiMo Foundation announced LiMo Platform Release 1, "the world's first globally competitive, Linux-based software platform for mobile devices." We've no more details what's included in the package, but we do have LiMo's executive director Morgan Gillis' words, if that counts, "With Release 1 of the [...]

Remember LiMo Foundation — a group formed by Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics and Vodafone — with an idea to deliver an open and globally consistent software platform based upon mobile Linux? Well, they’ve just scored new members. We knew about Purple Labs , but had no clue there were companies involved as well — Acrodea, ETRI, Huawei, and Trolltech. I guess it’s the fear of Google’s Android platform that suddenly made mobile Linux players work closer. We’ll keep our eyes wide open for the mobile Linux industry news. In the meantime, you may want to read LiMo’s full release… PRESS RELEASE - LiMo Foundation announced today further growth as industry momentum continues behind its open software platform for mobile handsets with the addition of several new members. Included in the roster of prestigious LiMo new member organizations are Acrodea, ETRI, Huawei, Purple Labs, and Trolltech. Launched in January 2007 by six mobile industry leaders - Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics and Vodafone - LiMo was formed to deliver an open and globally consistent software platform based upon mobile Linux for use by the whole industry to catalyze next generation mobile consumer experiences. “LiMo is a dedicated alliance of mobile technology leaders working together within an open and transparent governance model with shared leadership and shared decision making to create a common Linux based software platform from market proven technologies for use by the whole industry,” said Morgan Gillis, executive director, LiMo Foundation. “This latest wave of new members brings further mobile device and platform integration leaders into the LiMo ecosystem. We are delighted to see them joining forces with existing LiMo members to accelerate the delivery of innovative new handsets, applications and services.” LiMo’s goal is to create the world’s first globally competitive, Linux-based software platform for mobile devices. LiMo Foundation is blending community-based development benefits of transparency, innovation and scalability with the best development practices from the mobile community worldwide to create an innovative new business model with widespread adoption. “We are excited to see this surge of new members in the creation of an open mobile platform,” said NTT DoCoMo’s Kiyohito Nagata, chairman of the LiMo Foundation. “This further increase in membership demonstrates the continuing momentum that is building an ever richer mobile ecosystem upon the LiMo platform.” The LiMo Foundation is open to all vendors and service providers in the mobile communications marketplace, including device manufacturers, operators, chip set manufacturers, independent software vendors, integrators and third party developers. Foundation members have the opportunity to participate in building an active ecosystem and have the ability to influence the evolution of the platform, leaving them free to provide compelling and differentiated services to customers. Meet LiMo Foundation executives and members and hear about the latest developments with LiMo’s Linux-based software platform at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain on February 11-14, 2008 (booth number 8b135). For more information on the LiMo Foundation and its guiding principles and bylaws, please visit www.limofoundation.org . ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Celunite first software developer to join LiMo foundationBroadcom joins the LiMo Foundation; Bets on all smartphone platformsPurple Labs Joins LiMo Foundation; Gives hope about its survivalMarvell, Nokia and VirtualLogix join Linux FoundationLinux Mobile Foundation gets Symbian's Senior VP; Symbian's going down? Short answer - NO!

Don’t get me wrong - I’ve nothing against multiple mobile Linux distributions. It’s just that following its creation, we haven’t seen much coming out from LiMo Foundation’s doors. That being said, just when I though they’ve died, we received a news release from Purple Labs informing us they’ve joined the pact. And while we still have our doubts they’ll be able to compete with Google-led Open Handset Alliance, it’s actually nice to hear these folks are still in business. Now when the France-based Purple Labs added its feature phone platform to the mix, I hope we’ll see first devices wearing the LiMo badge hitting the market. Mobile World Congress is coming and that may be the good opportunity to hear what these guys have to say about the market conditions today. Anyway, if you care to know more, keep reading for the full release after the jump. PRESS RELEASE - Purple Labs, a leading supplier of embedded Linux solutions for mobile phones, announced today that it has joined the LiMo Foundation and will support the organisation’s mission to develop a world-class Linux-based software platform for mobile devices. In joining the LiMo Foundation as an Associate member, Purple Labs becomes the first commercial Linux platform for feature phones in the consortium, thereby extending the LiMo initiative to mass-market mobile handsets. Founded by industry leaders Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics, and Vodafone, the LiMo Foundation aims to create a rich ecosystem based on Linux, which will enable compelling and differentiated services for mobile users. “LiMo Foundation is very pleased to welcome Purple Labs as a new Associate member. We are rapidly rolling out our open mobile terminal platform based on Linux and Purple Labs will undoubtedly help the Foundation to further extend its reach within the feature phones arena,” said Morgan Gillis, executive director, LiMo Foundation. “We are also pleased to see Purple Labs joining the LiMo Foundation efforts and helping to bring Linux to the mass market,” added Guido Arnone, Director of Terminals Technology at Vodafone. “We believe Linux can become a relevant platform not just for smartphones but also for entry-level feature phones - thus the support of the Purple Labs team will add value to the LiMo Foundation.” Purple Labs has developed a highly optimised platform enabling Linux to run on low-cost feature phones. The company’s comprehensive Linux suite, from Linux service package and middleware to mobile applications, is the first commercial solution running a single-core chipset architecture, allowing the development of very cost-effective, entry-level feature phones. “Purple Labs is strongly committed to enabling LiMo-compliant mobile phones for the mass market,” stated Simon Wilkinson, chief executive officer of Purple Labs. “We look forward to working with other LiMo Foundation members in creating an open and tightly integrated environment for developing mobile handsets based on Linux.” ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Broadcom joins the LiMo Foundation; Bets on all smartphone platformsCelunite first software developer to join LiMo foundationFrench mobile Linux gets fundedMarvell, Nokia and VirtualLogix join Linux FoundationLinux Mobile Foundation gets Symbian's Senior VP; Symbian's going down? Short answer - NO!