Mobile Linux

This post is a continuation of the series exploring mobile technology platforms. For introduction to the series please refer to: "What technology platform to choose for development of mobile applications?"

Other postings in the series:
Mobile Messaging
Mobile Web
Mobile Java
BREW
Symbian

Mobile Linux

Linux is number two in the market share of operating systems running on smartphones. According to Canalys, over 15 million phones with Linux were shipped by the end of 2005. A mobile version of Linux is offered by MontaVista (http://www.mvista.com/). PalmSource acquired China MobileSoft, developer of the mobile version of Linux, and is evolving its strategy around Linux.

Mobile Linux is benefiting from successes of Linux running on servers and desktops. Open source philosophy and availability of a broad array of development tools appeals to many phone manufacturers and developers. However, customization of Linux for phone devices is complex and costly as Linux was not originally designed with mobile devices in mind.

Mobile Linux applications can be developed in a variety in languages. J2ME is by far the most popular.