MontaVista puts Tux on your mobile

MontaVista Software launched a program on Monday that aims to make it simpler for mobile phone makers and wireless carriers to use the Linux operating system.

The company specialises in creating versions of the open source operating system that can be embedded into special-purpose computing devices such as telecommunications equipment. Among mobile phone companies, Motorola, NEC and Panasonic have partnerships with MontaVista. In addition, NTT DoCoMo just invested $3m in the embedded systems specialist.

Peder Ulander, MontaVista's new vice president of marketing, said it can be difficult to make sure Linux and higher-level software works well with the wide variety of components used in mobile phones. It typically takes 16 to 18 months to get all the hardware and software working together, he said.

To smooth things, MontaVista is launching MobilLinux Open Framework, a collection of software packages and specific chip hardware designed to work together so phone makers don't have to spend a lot of time on integration.

The program is free for handset makers and cellular service operators, but hardware and software companies must pay a fee to be part of the alliance, Ulander said.

Stephen Shankland writes for CNET News.com.