Mobile Linux forum is force to be reckoned with

BACK IN AUGUST 2002, IBM showed a wristwatch running Linux. The operating system's potential for use in mobile phones was obvious.

What has been lacking is a leading force - as Sun has been with Java.

In Japan, however, NTT DoCoMo has been an ardent proponent of Linux for phones. Indeed, it has produced outlines for handset based on two operating sytems - Symbian and Linux.

Meanwhile, Fujitsu helped to build the reference designs for Symbian-based handsets, and NEC and Panasonic helped to create the Linux version.

So it's no surprise to see that a new initiative to standardise Linux in mobile phones includes DoCoMo, NEC and Panasonic. Panasonic points out that it has already shipped eight million Linux-based handsets.

Joining this trio, and giving it a more international flavour, is Motorola - which also ships Linux-based phones, with rival network operator Vodafone and leading Korean handset vendor Samsung.

The alliance has yet to decided on a name and is also yet to decide exactly how others can join in.

The motivation is obvious. Although Linux's rivals - Symbian and The Beast - demand licences for their OSes, building and thoroughly testing a Linux OS as a handset vendor is an expensive business.

The obvious thing to do is use the choose someone to supply a mobile Linux.

Step forward California's Montavista Software, which has been supplying DoCoMo.

Investors in Montavista include DoComo, Panasonic and Samsung along with Siemens, Sony, Toshiba, and Ericsson. There's a whole bunch of chipmakers, too, including Infineon, IBM Microelectronics, and Yamaha. Plus Intel, of course.

It appears a serious rival to the likes of Symbian and The Beast's Windows Mobile 5.0 is in the making. µ