PalmSource has taken another step toward Linux, announcing today that it has joined the Consumer Electronics Linux Forum (CELF) as an Associate member. The move follows PalmSource's acquisition last month of Linux phone software specialist China MobileSoft.

PalmSource began moving toward Linux in December of 2004, when it announced plans to port its PDA software to Linux smartphones for the Asian market. To gain a local presence in the Asian market, PalmSource acquired China MobileSoft (CMS) in February, 2005, and by mid-month was marketing Linux-related products acquired with CMS.

CELF was established in June 2003, by eight companies, and now boasts over 50 members. It became a California non-profit organization in January of this year.

John Ostrem, lead scientist of PalmSource, said, “With PalmSource's recent acquisition of China MobileSoft and the company's Linux expertise, we believe PalmSource is poised to make significant contributions to the CELF as it develops Linux-based phone software products.”

CELF's chairman, Scott Smyers, said, “We look forward to the [PalmSource's] active support in our mission to enhance Linux as a platform for new consumer applications and promote the technology as a major component of digital electronics products.”

PalmSource is expected to present its Linux phone software roadmap at the PalmSource devcon, set for May 23-26 in San Jose.

 
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