A consortium of mobile communications giants has released the first version of a Linux-based mobile platform for next-generation smartphones and handsets. The LiMo platform is a plug-in, hardware-independent architecture constructed around open-source standards. It features a secure runtime environment for application downloads.

The technology has been commercially deployed and proven in handsets already on the market, and it is expected to be in more devices later that year, said LiMo Foundation Executive Director Morgan Gillis.

“With Release 1 of the LiMo platform now completed, LiMo Foundation has established a scalable and sustainable mobile-device platform that will spur rapid innovation and contributions from all LiMo members,” Gillis said.

Embracing Linux

In the battle for smartphone platforms, LiMo will be going head-to-head with Google’s Android and Apple’s new iPhone software development kit (SDK). However, the LiMo Foundation, which was founded in January 2007, remains optimistic that its open-source underpinnings will help its platform gain traction.

“The mobile industry

is embracing Linux and openness as the key enablers of lower device-development costs, increased flexibility and quicker moment to market for innovative services of all kinds,” said LiMo Foundation Chairman Kiyohito Nagata, who additionally represents Japan-based network operator NTT DoCoMo. “LiMo Foundation is driving these trends.”

Third-party developers will use LiMo’s application-programming interface specifications to field next-generation applications across a global base of mobile devices. Moreover, software designers will be able to implement middleware components for the LiMo platform by drawing on their C or C++ programming skills.

SDKs for Native, Webkit and Java operating environments are scheduled in the second half of that year, the fledgling nonprofit organization said. The consortium is already working on Release 2, slated for introduction by year’s end.

TI Weighs In

In slightly more than one year, the LiMo Foundation has consistently rolled out its deliverables on schedule, Gillis noted. And…

Orginal post by Top Tech News