Linux body throws weight at mobile platforms

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 14 Nov 2005 at 16:49

The next platform to get the Linux treatment looks set to be the mobile phone, with the foundation of the Linux Phones Standards (LiPS) Forum.

Only last month the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) announced the formation of the Mobile Linux Initiative (MLI) with BT, Intel, MontaVista, Motorola, PalmSource, Trolltech and Wind River.

LiPS initially boasts ARM, Cellon, Esmertec, France Telecom/Orange, FSM Labs, Huawei, Jaluna, MIZI Research, Montavista Software, Open-Plug and PalmSource under its standard: a mix of operators, device manufacturers, silicon and software vendors.

The noticeable absentees are those companies using the Symbian platform, the most significant mobile phone platform, used by Nokia, SonyEricsson, Panasonic and others.

The goal for LiPS is stated as 'to promote development and deployment of applications and services on Linux phones through standardisation'.

This is most likely to benefit the mobile operators who can be assured that the services they want to deliver their customers will work on most phones developed in this fashion.

However, LiPS says it will be working on platforms for mobile, fixed and converged devices - an area currently under scrutiny by the likes of BT and France Telecom/Orange with the idea of a single device through which you are able to make calls on fixed and mobie networks or across the Internet depending on what's available to the user.

LiPS will define standards for Linux-based system services and APIs to support the development and deployment of applications and user-level services. It will also develop a set of extensions to software development kits that will allow developers to easily ensure their applications meet the standards. Similarly, LiPS will also create a certification process for developers to put their software through.

Haila Wang, president of the LiPS Forum said, 'Linux offers an increasingly attractive alternative to proprietary operating systems. By standardising the Linux-based system services and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), we will help to simplify the creation of fully functional Linux phones, ensuring they match the requirements of operators and increasing their appeal to consumers.'

LiPS will also pay close attention to the Open Mobile Terminal platform, again an operator-led consortium to establish standard requirements for handsets that enable operators to deliver 'rich' services and tailor them to custom needs.

More information is at the LiPS website.