Motorola and Texas Instruments, two of the lead companies promoting the use of Linux and other forms of open source software in mobile applications, are strengthening their collaborative ties for the development of 3G, WiMAX wireless system technologies and mobile devices.
Both Motorola and TI have plans to develop mobile handset technology which makes use of open soucre software such as the Linux operating system.
As part of its collaboration with TI, Motorola is developing 3G handsets based on the DSP firm's OMAP 3 mobile processor architecture, which will be introduced in 2008.
Motorola has also selected TI’s OMAP 2 and OMAP3 product portfolio and OMAP-Vox family, including the OMAPV1035 GSM/GPRS/EDGE single-chip design from the “eCosto” platform and the OMAPV1030 GSM/GPRS/EDGE chipset.
Motorola plans to use the OMAPV1035 silicon and software platform in new low-cost multimedia mobile devices expected to be in the market in 2008.
Motorola also plans to use the OMAPV1030 chipset in new mid-range multimedia mobile devices expected to be in the market later this year.
Last November, Motorola cranked up the importance of open source software for future mobile phone design by inviting the growing community of Java Micro Edition developers to establish a complete Java ME software stack for the mobile industry, under the Apache License Version 2.0.
The handset firm is aligning its future Java ME-based developments with Apache's model of licensing and open governance in order to help promote a unified mobile Java platform.
The two firms are also working together on a WiMAX device supporting voice, video and data for low-power mobile applications. The WiMAx silicon will be manufactured in 65nm and is expected to be ready to support production of new mobile devices that Motorola plans to launch during 2008.
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