Linux Delving Into Mobile Phones
The open source operating system Linux is well-known, but has yet to gain a true foothold on your desktop computer.
But according to U.S. News & World Report, it may soon achieve that - in many cellular telephones.
The Linux phone movement received a significant boost this week when Verizon Wireless said it would load a version on many of its handsets.
Users probably won't notice the open source system, or even be aware, in all likelihood, that there is any difference at all, as Verizon is likely to keep its standardized look and feel for phone software.
But users might find many more programs to download for phones running the Linux system, U.S. News & World Report notes, thanks to LiMo, an industry consortium that is promoting a Linux version.
Verizon joined the group, which already included Vodafone, a European carrier that owns nearly half of Verizon Wireless.
LiMo is often seen as a competitor to Android, a Google-led effort to develop Linux for wireless handsets.
Industry experts believe Google views Android as a way to get its search engine onto mobile devices.
One Boca Raton computer repair expert we talked to said that Verizon may also use Android as the company opens its options.
Most Verizon phones come equipped with software from the chip-maker Qualcomm, though Verizon also sells smartphones with Windows, Palm, and BlackBerry systems.
