Motorola to launch Linux and Java based phone

IN A DIRECT ASSAULT on the visions of Symbian and Microsoft, Motorola has announced it will be launching a mobile phone based on Linux. The A760 will have a colour screen and come with Java installed.

According to a report on the Wall Street Journal, Motorola said that although they are using Linux for this phone, they might work with Symbian or Microsoft if there was customer demand. The new phone has a built in camera and MP3 player, pitching it exactly at the top end of the market inhabited by the other two companies.

It is a surprising move. Motorola holds a 20% stake in Symbian. Perhaps the company feels that Nokia has become too much of an influence within the supposedly independent Symbian. Whatever the reason, this move is sure to put the cat amongst the pigeons. Microsoft will be seeing the dreaded Linux word again, popping up to compete in every market. Symbian are less likely to worry but it is bound to be mildly concerned.

Motorola has said that by adopting Linux it can get new handsets onto the market more quickly and cheaper. The company is the world's second largest handset maker. µ