Linux Mobile Foundation Launches

Close on the heels of the Linux Foundation, comes another Linux based consortium by Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics and Vodafone, called the Linux Mobile (LiMo) Foundation. The 'not-for-profit' foundation is formed to support the goal of creating Linux-based software platform for mobile devices and is aimed at blending 'benefits of transparency, innovation and scalability with the best development practices from the mobile community to create an innovative new business model'.

The LiMo will be seeking new members interested in participating in the development of a set of APIs, architecture, and contributing source code for the common components of the Linux based mobile platform. Foundation members will be available to discuss membership opportunities at the upcoming 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, in February 12-15, 2007. The Foundation members will be involved in building an active ecosystem and will aim to influence the evolution of the Linux Mobile platform, by freely providing differentiated services to customers.

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Members of LiMo will also work on establishing safeguards to minimize fragmentation, collaboration on a mobile Linux developer ecosystem, co-operation with existing industry organizations and securing new members from across the industry, such as device and chip set manufacturers, operators, independent software vendors, integrators and third party developers.

The main objective of the the LiMo Foundation is to establish itself as an independent, not-for-profit entity and strive to increase the adoption of Linux within the mobile industry.