The operating system formerly known as Palm OS has become “Garnet OS,” according to the company formerly known as PalmSource. Access Systems Americas says it has officially finished the process of changing its name, and has begun the process of renaming products with Palm-based names.

Access Systems America (formerly PalmSource) retained the right to use the Palm brand for only a limited time following the May, 2005 sale of its interest in the Palm Trademark Holding Company to PalmOne (formerly Palm). PalmSource announced in October that it begun the process of changing its name.

Meanwhile, after acquiring exclusive rights to the Palm name, PalmOne promptly changed its name back to Palm, while PalmSource put itself up for sale. After a short bidding war, it was acquired by Access, a Japanese mobile phone software vendor, in an all-cash transaction valued at about $324 million.

Since the acquisition, the PalmSource group — now Access Systems America — has been focused on creating a Linux-based OS for mobile devices codenamed “Access Linux Platform” (ALP). ALP features a “Garnet Host” or “GHost” compatibility layer said to allow properly written Palm OS, er, Garnet OS applications to run without modifications.

ALP is expected to reach general availability by mid-2007. Meanwhile, Access says it plans to demonstrate ALP at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Feb. 12-15. In keeping with the show's theme, “Unleash your Digital Life,” Access will also demonstrate its NetFront Media Player, as well as its venerable NetFront Browser and NetFront Mobile Client Suite.

 
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