In recent months, a great deal of attention has been paid to Palm, Inc.'s plans to release a new Linux-based operating system for its handhelds and smartphones. But what shouldn't be forgotten is that Access Systems -- the company formerly known as PalmSource -- is developing a rival operating system.
These two will have a certain amount in common. In addition to being built around a Linux kernel, both will have the ability to run legacy Palm OS software.
Palm's version has one significant advantage over Access' though: at least one well-known company will be releasing products based on it... Palm itself.
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Still, Access seems to be ahead of in getting its product ready for release. Earlier this year, it began offering the tools companies need to create smartphones and handhelds running its operating system -- called the Access Linux Program (ALP). Palm said recently that its operating system isn't going to debut until some time in 2008.
Last week, Access held a developer day at the LinuxWorld conference to show how to build applications for ALP.
The ALP GUI
In another bid to create more interest in ALP, Access recently launched a new web site devoted to this operating system. This contains a great deal of information for developers and potential licensees, but general consumers will likely be more interested in a series of images showing ALP's user interface.
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| Home (view large image) | Launcher (view large image) | |
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| Contacts (view large image) | Dialer (view large image) | |
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| Email (view large image) | Instant Messaging (view large image) | |
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| Video Player (view large image) | Music Player (view large image) | |
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| Photo Viewer (view large image) | Incoming Call (view large image) | |
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