Motorola shows off Linux phone at CeBIT

 

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Posted on 17 Mar 2003 at 12:27

Motorola uses CeBIT industry show to debut Linux phone.

Mobile phone manufacturer has demonstrated its A760 smart phone - the world's first Linux-based handset with full Java support.

The A760 was first announced back in February, and even though the company used a European show to debut the device, it is unlikely to become available in these parts for quite some time. It will first go on sale in Asia later in the year, where the market for full-featured smart phones is far more developed.

'This product is not expected to be released in the UK - it is purely an Asian product right now,' a Motorola spokesperson told us.

Motorola traditionally uses the Symbian platform for its smart phones, the same OS on which Nokia has built its Series 60 platform. However, Motorola is now taking the Samsung route: rather than backing any particular horse to win, the move to bring out a Linux phone shows it is spreading its bets and allowing the battle for the phone platform to be fought on the merits of the operating systems rather than the allegiances of the handset manufacturers.

The move to Linux isn't just a timely piece of tactical PR. The company says that the A760 demonstrates its 'commitment to making the Linux operating system a key pillar of its handset software strategy'.

The device benefits from the myriad applications in development through the open source community and, as well as its Java support, offers a full PIM suite (personal information management), communication software such as multimedia messaging and a media player, image management software, Web browser and more.

'This handset is special because it features one of the most open and flexible software platforms that exists,' said Rob Shaddock, General Manager of the GSM/TDMA Product Line in Motorola's Personal Communications Sector. 'By supporting the open source Linux OS and Java technology, Motorola is creating the most open and flexible environment possible to help drive the development of compelling applications for rich, customised mobile experiences.'

The handset's PIM applications can be synchronised with desktop apps using Bluetooth, Infra-red or USB. An on-board camera and touch-sensitive colour TFT screen on which data can be entered using a stylus complete the feature-list.

Author: Matt Whipp