Vodafone, Azingo to Develop Mobile Applications for Linux

Vodafone, which claims to be the world’s largest mobile phone operator by revenue, reportedly has joined U.S. software maker Azingo to develop applications for a new mobile operating platform called Limo.

 

Giants in both the telecommunication and computer industries are trying hard to build and popularize their own mobile operating systems to cash in on the expanding market for cell phones.

 

“We are excited to partner with Azingo to develop cutting edge applications for our mobile phones based on the LiMo platform,” said Guido Arnone, director of terminals technology at Vodafone (News - Alert).

 

The partnership is expected to deliver communications solutions for Vodafone customers around the globe.

 

Both Azingo and Vodafone are members of the LiMo Foundation (News - Alert), a consortium made up of wireless and software giants working to deliver an operating platform based on Linux.

 

“Together with Vodafone, we’re committed to delivering a range of exciting, appealing experiences for mobile phone users.” said Mahesh Veerina, president and chief executive officer of Azingo.

 

Sunnyvale, California–based Azingo says its mobile platform enables operators and handset manufacturers to deliver customized mobile devices and services with a rich Internet experience and a consistent user interface across their product portfolios.

 

The role of Linux in the cellphone industry is showing all signs of growth as even the search engine giant Google has started to use Linux to build its Android (News - Alert) platform.

 

Nevertheless, a report from Reuters says the market for software platforms on cellphones is led by Nokia’s Symbian (News - Alert) operating system, but it has lost much ground over the last year to Apple Inc, Research in Motion and Microsoft Corp’s Windows Mobile.

 

Linux, which directly competes with Microsoft (News - Alert), is a popular open source computer operating system that anyone can use, revise and share. Linux suppliers earn money selling improvements and technical services.