Moto Not Dropping LiMo Linux

Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) says it will still introduce handsets using the Linux operating system from the LiMo Foundation by the end of the year, despite announcing last week that it will stop introduction of its home-grown Linux phones.

"We're still committed to mobile Linux," a Motorola spokeswoman tells Unstrung. "We plan to have LiMo handsets out by the end of year."

Last week, Motorola's new co-CEO and mobile devices boss Sanjay Jha said that the Schamburg, Ill.-based networking institution plans to simplify its handset lineup in 2009 by dropping Symbian and its own in-house Java-Linux development to concentrate on the Android and Windows Mobile operating systems from Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT). (See Moto Ditches Symbian for Android & Windows.)

Some industry watchers wondered if Motorola's support for the Android open-source operating system would end its support for LiMo, but evidently this is not the case, at least at present. The spokeswoman for Motorola couldn't say, however, how many LiMo handsets might be introduced by year's end or which carriers will support them.

Motorola introduced its first LiMo handsets earlier this year, which included the U9 and the ROKR EM30. There are around 22 handsets from various vendors now using the operating system. (See LiMo Lauds Motorola.)

Verizon Wireless could potentially carry some of Motorola's LiMo handsets. The number two U.S. cellular operator said earlier this year that it will introduce LiMo handsets in 2009. (See Verizon's LiMo Bean 'Surprise'.)

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Unstrung