Mobile Linux Platform Provider A La Mobile Joins OSDL

Open Source Development Labs (OSDL), a global consortium dedicated to accelerating the adoption of Linux and open source software, announced that mobile Linux platform provider a la Mobile will become an active member in the Labs' Mobile Linux Initiative (MLI).

OSDL membership for a la Mobile comes on the heels of the company's recent launch announcement and introduction of an independent Linux systems platform for mobile phones. Designed to be readily adaptable to wireless handsets, a la Mobile's Convergent Linux Platform enables handset manufacturers to bring Linux-based smartphones and full-feature phones to market rapidly while reducing development, testing and deployment costs.

''We look forward to working closely with OSDL and our peers to solve common challenges for mobile Linux and benefit vendors' businesses and developers' design and integration work,'' said Pauline Lo Alker, president and CEO of a la Mobile. ''OSDL membership is a key component for any company interested in competing in today's maturing mobile device software market.''

Linux is increasingly becoming the preferred operating system for mobile equipment manufacturers such as NEC and Panasonic, among others. The Diffusion Group, a research firm focused on the connected consumer, forecasts that Linux will surpass SymbianOS marketshare in smartphones by 2010 with 26.6 percent of the market.

''The growing use of Linux for mobile devices lowers the barrier of entry for providers of packaged solutions for OEMs,'' said Stuart Cohen, CEO of OSDL. ''a la Mobile is a great example of a company with the vision to see a market opportunity that will continue to pay returns as Linux becomes even more pervasive in this space. a la Mobile's participation in the OSDL Mobile Linux Initiative will help drive additional adoption of Linux in smartphones and mass consumer mobile devices.''

OSDL sponsors industry-wide initiatives focused on Linux in telecommunications (Carrier Grade Linux and Mobile Linux), in the enterprise data center and on corporate desktops. The Labs also provide Linux computing and test facilities in the United States and Japan, available to developers around the world.