14 DAY TRIAL // It's no secret that Linux is a flexible and stable operating system for a multitude of equipments, but what you don't know is that the penguin is going after cell phones.
Once MontaVista released Mobilinux, the operating system made another decisive step towards cell phone producers. They require operating systems for various equipments from simple to complex and Linux allows them to decide what components to implement.
Mobilinux 4.0 is based on the Linux 2.6 kernel and will allow cell phone producers to use a single processor both for voice and software applications, which will lead to cost reduction and in the end lower prices for the end user.
In the same time, Linux requires fewer hardware resources, which means less memory to manufacture a terminal, without affecting the performances and a better lifespan for the battery.
Analysts estimate that by adopting Mobilinux, producers are able to develop phones five times cheaper, compared to the ones using Symbian, Palm or Microsoft.
"Unlike proprietary operating systems, Mobilinux is a scalable platform that allows cell phone operators, terminal producers, and application developers to design cell phones and smart-phones with diversified functions" said Kevin Morgan, vice president of MontaVista,.
Mobilinux 4.0 will be available starting with Q2 2005.