Linux-based phones and other mobile devices will gain support from a major mobile multimedia technology provider in Q1, 2004, when PacketVideo releases embedded Linux versions of its pvPlayer and pvAuthor software. Previously, PacketVideo has supported Symbian and Microsoft embedded OSes, among others, and its mobile media technology has appeared in devices from Sony, Ericsson, Motorola, Fujitsu, Siemens,… and Nokia.

PacketVideo says it plans to supply pvPlayer and pvAuthor to OEMs building mobile devices based on MontaVista Software's Consumer Electronics Edition (CEE) and Professional Edition (Pro) embedded Linux distributions. pvPlayer enables handset users to play 3GPP-standard video and audio content, while pvAuthor enables mobile users to record video with sound and forward it as a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message. Additionally, video streamed to PacketVideo-enabled handsets by other devices can be inserted into MMS messages and forwarded, according to PacketVideo.

Along with its mobile multimedia software, PacketVideo offers engineering and integration services. The company says it has experience with 3GPP video capture using pvCamcorder, audio playback (MP3 & AAC and AMR), 3GPP video player, and still image capture and management software.

PacketVideo's pvAuthor Lite for Windows PCs can be used to convert home videos for mobile phone playback.

In October 2003, PacketVideo announced a deal with Motorola to bring its mobile multimedia technology to Motorola's Symbian-based A920. With PacketVideo gaining support on MontaVista Linux, it also seems possible the technology will show up in Motorola's MontaVista Linux based A760.

PacketVideo will demonstrate its pvPlayer and pvAuthor Linux solutions at the Embedded Technology 2003 Conference in Yokohama Japan this week.

“MontaVista Linux is one of the most important operating systems for mobile devices around the world,” said Kazunori Takagi, president of PacketVideo Japan.

“We are very excited to work with PacketVideo, the cutting edge global supplier of multimedia for mobile devices,” added Sheila Baker, MontaVista's marketing vice president.

 
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