| Malaysian startup licenses Linux phone stack |
Oct. 20, 2006
Startup a la Mobile reports that its Linux-based mobile phone stack has attracted its first licensee. Gupp Technologies, a Malaysian startup backed by global electronics vendor 3P Electronics, will use the Convergent Linux Platform in a dual-mode VoWiFi (voice-over-WiFi) and GSM smartphone expected next year, according to a la Mobile.
Gupp will preview its Linux-powered VoWiFi/GSM phone at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this January in Las Vegas, and plans to distribute it through European and U.S. channels later in the year, according to a la Mobile CEO Pauline Lo Acker.
Lo Acker expects the Gupp design to be the first dual-mode Linux smartphone to feature a full QWERTY keyboard, "similar to the Palm Treo," she said. The quad-band phone will be easy to use, and offer superior battery life, she said. It will include a VoIP (voice-over-IP) client based on SIP (session initiation protocol), a web browser, music download client, and an email client.
About 300 million dual-mode phones will ship in 2011, according to ABI figures cited by a la Mobile.
The company's Linux phone stack integrates VoIP software from Hellosoft, described by Lo Acker as a "sister company" that is also funded by Vennrock Ventures.
"[Gupp sees] a growing market trend for large retail chains to offer handsets and services from a variety of wireless companies," according to Gupp managing director Guy Tessens. "Our plan is to capitalize on a la Mobile's mobile Linux expertise [and] 3P's long-term relationships with a broad network of retail chains to gain traction on a mobile retail playing field worldwide."
Lo Alker added, "Our success in signing the first customer shortly after the release of our Convergent Linux Platform version 1.0 on September 1, 2006 is an encouraging endorsement of a la Mobile's vision and positioning. With a complete Linux system stack readily adaptable to GUPP's handset hardware, from device drivers and Linux kernel to applications, a la Mobile enables Gupp to bypass a long and technically challenging development cycle."
Gupp Technologies was founded in 2005 by Tessens, a former Philips executive, and Sanjay Varma, a former McKinsey & Co. consultant. The company is based in Penang, Malaysia, and is backed by 3P Electronics, which describes itself as a global supplier of consumer electronics to mass-market retailers in over 15 countries.
A la Mobile's Convergent Linux Platform
A la Mobile claims its Convergent Linux Platform to be "the only complete operating system for mobile phones with an entirely open and configurable platform." The stack supports XScale mobile application processors -- including the forthcoming Marvel Monahans -- and is based on an Intel-supplied 2.6 Linux kernel.
The stack includes a variety of third-party software that has been integrated, tested, and certified, Lo Acker said. Specific components are somewhat flexible, according to user preferences. However, Lo Acker listed components in the current version that include:- A GUI based on Trolltech's Qt and "parts of Qtopia"
- A browser from long-time Trolltech partner Teleca
- A Sun Java virtual machine
- VoIP software from HelloSoft
- OTA (over-the-air) software from Redband
- SyncML software from Funambol
- A baseband interface from an unnamed global electronics powerhouse
A la Mobile's Convergent Linux Platform
A la Mobile's primary contribution to the stack, aside from integration and license aggregation, appears to be a unique "hardware mobility engine" (HME). The HME is described as a hardware abstraction layer aimed at providing a kind of BIOS for phones. a la Mobile says the HME will help its customers quickly spin new hardware models, without extensive software revalidation, because binary phone stack images will move to new phone hardware in much the same way that binary OS distributions such as Windows can be installed on any hardware with a compliant PC BIOS.
A la Mobile also offers development services on a non-recurring expense basis. For example, the company was funded by Gupp to integrate WiFi and VoIP support in support of its forthcoming dual-mode handset, Lo Acker said.
A la Mobile says its stack is open to customization, yet offers a "full and complete" stack that is supported, and will be maintained.
Lots more details about a la Mobile's HME and Convergent Linux Platform can be found in our earlier coverage, here and here.
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed