VirtualLogix announced that it has joined the LiMo Foundation, a consortium dedicated to creating a truly open, hardware-independent, Linux-based operating system (OS) for mobile devices. As a provider of embedded virtualization for next-generation mobile handsets, VirtualLogix joins LiMo to extend the discussion and application of virtualization in the mobile handset space in order to make devices more efficient, secure, powerful and cost-effective.

"Real-time virtualization software is helping drive adoption of Linux in mobile handset designs," said Morgan Gillis, Executive Director, LiMo Foundation. "VirtualLogix joins a growing group of device manufacturers, operators, chipset manufacturers, integrators and independent software vendors within LiMo Foundation that share the collective goal of bringing an open, Linux-based mobile OS to market. The addition of VirtualLogix to our efforts builds upon our momentum and we look forward to working with them to expand and roll out our platform."

VirtualLogix's VLX real-time virtualization technology enables Linux to be deployed on low cost feature phones by sharing a single core baseband processor with the Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) supporting the wireless protocol stack, thus avoiding the need for an additional application processor and associated peripheral hardware. These low cost VLX-based, and LiMo compliant, Linux feature phone platforms are deployed today by LiMo member companies. In addition, VLX provides Linux-based mobile phones with a standards-conformant advanced security architecture, which enables trusted security services to support m-commerce, financial transactions or DRM protected content distribution. VLX handset solutions are based on ARM, XScale, and Intel Atom processor families.

"As more companies realize the benefits of open source in the mobile world, the LiMo Foundation is at the forefront of creating the standards that will guide Linux-based OS development," said Michel Gien, Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy, VirtualLogix. "VirtualLogix is committed to providing developers the opportunity to complement the LiMo specification with enhanced features and security for deployment on low cost platforms. We look forward to being an active LiMo member in order to support these efforts and help the industry create the next-generation of mobile handset equipment."

LiMo is open to all in the mobile industry, including device manufacturers, operators, chipset manufacturers, integrators and independent software vendors. LiMo currently has more than 50 member organizations, many of which support LiMo in addition to their own proprietary offerings.