Heavy Hitters Push Linux on Handhelds

NewsFactor Network writes about the latest industry efforts "behind an initiative that aims to promote the use of Linux on cell phones." The Mobile Linux Initiative was launched by Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) to tackle technical challenges and support the adoption of Linux on handheld devices.

Ben Wood at Gartner said, "All of the Linux developments are a disparate set of projects. It's not like write once, run anywhere."

Linux is attractive to mobile manufacturers for its capabilities and cost. "The [operating systems] that manufacturers are using are starting to run out of horsepower," Wood added.

Wood doesn't believe Linux posed a serious threat to other platforms like Symbian or Microsoft. Woods noted that the "Symbian operating system costs manufacturers between $5 and $7 per phone," with Linux probably costing less.

"This is just a steppingstone in the emergence of Linux as a potential platform for mobile phones," Wood commented.