MontaVista and PalmSource share Linux mobile phone party line

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Aug. 09, 2005

MontaVista Software Inc. and PalmSource Inc., two leaders in mobile device software, have joined each others' partner programs and are teaming up to "help further accelerate the development of next generation Linux-based mobile phones," the companies announced today. They plan to "leverage their collective expertise to create integrated solutions for handset vendors and mobile operators looking to build Linux handsets."

PalmSource has joined MontaVista's Mobilinux Open Framework partner program, and MontaVista has joined PalmSource's "Palm Powered Mobile World" (PPMW) program.

Market analyst Gartner recently reported that embedded Linux powered 13.7 percent of smartphones shipped worldwide in the first quarter of 2005, up 412 percent from 3.4 percent in Q1-04, and well ahead of both Palm OS and Windows Mobile Smartphone Q1-05 shipments, which were 4.6 and 4.5 percent, respectively. Additionally, Gartner noted that smartphones comprise the fastest-growing portion of the "mobile terminal" market, with sales expected to double year-over-year in 2006, reaching 200 million by 2008.

First quarter smartphone shipments, by OS. (Source: Gartner)
The MontaVista/PalmSource alliance announcement comes amid persistent rumors that PalmOne, recently renamed "Palm", is preparing to launch a new Palm Treo mobile phone running Microsoft's Windows Mobile 5.0 smartphone software platform. The new Windows-powered Palm smartphone is rumored to be dubbed the "Treo 670."

MontaVista, which has a strong focus on the Linux mobile phone market, launched its Mobilinux Open Framework partner program last February. The program aims to "provide mobile handset vendors and operators with the architectural freedom to create and deliver differentiated products and services." Through the program, "mobile handset vendors will build and ship devices featuring the latest technologies more quickly and more efficiently, while reducing overall development costs."

PalmSource recently cut its staff 16 percent and announced that it plans to refocus its business solely on Linux mobile phones. The company announced its intention to switch from PDAs to mobile phones last December, and it acquired Asian Linux phone software vendor China MobileSoft in February. In March, it joined CELF, a powerful league of electronics giants working to improve Linux for consumer devices. The company says its Palm Powered Mobile World is intended to "connect mobile operators, infrastructure and middleware partners and software developers in a wireless Palm Powered economy designed to bring Palm OS software applications and solutions to market, provide increased revenue opportunities for partners and a superior experience for users of Palm Powered mobile devices."

Peder Ulander, vice president, marketing, MontaVista Software, said, "Joining Palm Powered Mobile World enables MontaVista to work closely with the extensive PalmSource developer community and wireless ecosystem to provide the tools and knowledge facilitating development of innovative applications that leverage the functionality and openness of Linux. PalmSource, with Palm OS, has developed a leading mobile application framework. We look forward to working closely with PalmSource to deliver best of breed products that combine the best of the Mobilinux and PalmSource operating systems, making it easier for handset manufacturers to deliver compelling, Linux-based mobile handsets."

Albert Chu, vice president, business development for PalmSource, said, "By joining MontaVista's Mobilinux Open Framework partner program, PalmSource is further demonstrating its commitment to enabling Palm OS, the mobile industry's leading application framework, to run on Linux. MontaVista is the leading Linux provider for mobile devices with world class partners and customers. Partnering with MontaVista will enable faster time to market for our mutual customers who want to deliver compelling, cost effective Linux-based mobile phone solutions."

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