LG Electronics has signed an agreement with PalmSource to license Palm OS worldwide. The deal gives LG the right to develop and market smartphones based on Palm OS, and could make LG the first vendor to ship Linux mobile phones capable of running Palm OS applications.

Palm OS is the world's most established PDA platform, with over 29,000 software titles available. PalmSource announced in December of last year that it would transition Palm OS to Linux middleware, and Interim CEO Patrick McVeigh said during an earnings call last week that PalmSource would scrap or delay all projects not related to Linux mobile phones.

During its earnings call last week, PalmSource reported that its swing to profitability was driven by a one-time gain from an undisclosed customer. LG, it now appears, is that customer.

LG is the world's number five mobile handset maker, and a force in the worldwide electronics market. The company operates in 39 countries and employs 66,000, and it sold about $38 billion worth of electronics goods into the U.S. alone in 2004.

LG Executive VP Skott Ahn said, “The flexible, open and powerful nature of Palm OS is an ideal match for our industry leading mobile handsets. We believe our customers will appreciate the new Palm Powered phones we will develop and distribute.”

McVeigh said, “We look forward to working with LG to develop new, cutting-edge smartphones for delivery to the worldwide marketplace.”

Additional details about PalmSource's deal with LG are available in a PC World story by Tom Krazit, here.

 
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