Access/PalmSource announced on Aug. 14 that the Access Linux Platform (ALP) has been approved for use across the network of Europe's second-largest mobile phone operator, Orange Telecom. Additionally, the companies will collaborate on an “Orange Application Package” for ALP-based mobile phones.

ALP, developed by Access subsidiary PalmSource and unveiled in February, aims to provide an integrated, flexible, Linux-based software environment for mobile phones and other handhelds. ALP-based devices can run legacy Palm OS application binaries (via a compatibility engine called “GHost”), Java applications, and native Linux applications, according to PalmSource.

According to Access, the Orange Application Package will provide the necessary applications — including third-party applications — to turn ALP-based devices into “Orange Signature Devices.” Access will offer integration services for the Package, it says, helping handset vendors quickly deliver ALP-based phones suitable for deployment on Orange's network.

Access describes Orange as a key mobile phone and Internet access brand within France Telecom's global network, which spans across five continents and counts about 150 million customers. Orange operates primarily in France, the Netherlands, and elsewhere in Europe, and has 88.6 million mobile customers, along with about 12 million Internet access customers, according to Access.

Yves Maitre, VP of devices at Orange, stated, “Our Signature strategy delivers a consistent customer experience across a variety of devices and applications.”

Access CEO Toru Arakawa stated, “As a commercial-grade, flexible, open, robust, and standards-based Linux platform, ALP is designed to support the goal of operators to offer revenue-generating services, applications, and content, while providing handset manufacturers with faster time-to-market.”

Access CTO Tomihisa Kamada said last week that Access hopes ALP will eventually be deployed in 30 percent of all mobile phones.

Orange and Access have previously collaborated as co-founders of the Linux Phone Standards Forum (LiPS), an industry group promoting application- and middleware-level interoperability for Linux-based mobile phones.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.