A collection of mobile industry players have announced a foundation to create an open source Linux-based platform for mobile phones. Founding members include: Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics, and Vodafone. While Linux is not new to mobile devices, there are not standards and as such consistency. The foundation hopes that its Linux platform will be able to decrease the time to market for handsets.
"Motorola is a firm believer in the power of open platforms and the promise of Linux for mobile," said Greg Besio, Motorola Corporate Vice President, Mobile Devices Software. "As such, we are very pleased to be part of this new, coordinated group effort to accelerate the creation of a universal, mobile Linux platform which we believe will unleash the tremendous innovation opportunities for developers, device makers, operators and consumers alike."