Motorola Gets Serious About Linux

Last quarter, Motorola was the second biggest smartphone maker in the world, thanks largely to the million or so Linux-based smartphones it shipped in China.

Clearly, Motorola has seen the writing on the wall, and is making a big commitment to Linux. In fact, this company is working to have over 50 percent of the handsets it releases in the future run Linux.

This new initiative won't be confined to just one region. Motorola is also going to be push these devices in the U.S. and Europe.

These Linux-based handsets are expected to cost between $100 and $300.

The report from DigiTimes is not an official announcement from Motorola. Instead, it is based on information from sources at Taiwan handset makers that are familiar with Motorola's handset roadmap.

Linux Everywhere

Motorola isn't the only mobile-device company making a big commitment to Linux. PalmSource is basing the replacement for the Palm OS on this operating system, for example.

Other big-name companies that have released Linux-based devices in recent months include Sony and Nokia.

Related Information

• New Details Emerge on the Palm OS Replacement
• Sony mylo Runs Linux
• Nokia 770 Internet Tablet Review and Information
• Brighthand's Linux News