a la Mobile, Inc. (www.a-la-mobile.com), the leading Linux systems
platform and open source technology company for mobile devices, today
announced the support of Google Android with the industry´s first
demonstration of applications based on the open source Android
application framework, running on HTC´s Qtek 9090 advanced smartphone.
The demonstrated applications, some with enhanced graphical user
interface (GUI) developed by a la Mobile, include: browser, phone
dialer, audio player, maps, camera, games, calendar, contacts manager,
calculator, tasks manager and notes.
Dispelling the Mystery of Android
"While mobile Linux has made steady progress in the industry since
2006, Google´s advocacy with the unveiling of the Android framework
further substantiates the position of Linux as a major mobile
operating system alongside Windows Mobile and Symbian," said Pauline
Lo Alker, President and CEO of a la Mobile, Inc. "However, despite the
market enthusiasm about Google Android, many questions remain
concerning the technical details, and skepticism exists concerning its
readiness. As the leader in mobile Linux, we believe it is our
responsibility to take the initiative to allay the ´mystery´ and
dispel any skepticism surrounding Android by first demonstrating a
complete mobile Linux system stack, including drivers, middleware, and
a suite of Android-based applications running on an existing advanced
smartphone manufactured by one of the premier handset vendors in the
market."
Building a Complete Mobile Device System Stack
A Linux application platform for mobile devices, Android provides
a framework and Application Program Interfaces (APIs) to enable
third-party developers to create applications based on a ´unified
application standard.´ While Android´s impending official release of
the source code is a great stimulant for popular adoption of Linux and
a good platform that enables application interoperability among
various mobile devices, it is not an off-the-shelf complete software
stack.
A complete system solution for mobile devices consists of numerous
software components, including: device drivers, Linux kernel, system
utilities, mobile middleware (such as security, device management,
provisioning, etc.), an application framework (such as Android) that
supports JAVA services, browser, and miscellaneous applications for
the end device.
"Despite the open-source nature of the Android framework,
developing a complete mobile system solution with customized,
differentiated features continues to present major technical
challenges requiring considerable time, effort, and resources -- a
barrier and reach beyond the scope of many handset vendors," continues
Alker. "Our mission is to remove the complexity for handset vendors
and mobile operators to enable them to accelerate their device
time-to-market, ensure high quality while reducing total development
and device costs. The experience we have gained in putting together
this demo will enable us to trim a device´s time-to-market by at least
half!"
"The wireless industry is preparing itself for the growth in the
use of Linux as the operating system for smartphones," said Bill
Hughes, Principal Analyst with In-Stat. "Some industry participants
are seeking to offer mobile Linux platforms that are only partially
´open,´ with key interfaces being kept proprietary. In contrast, a la
Mobile is pursuing mobile solutions that are open and support
third-party application developers and network partners to provide
solutions that apply across multiple platforms. a la Mobile´s
demonstration of the Android framework on an actual smart device is a
concrete example of this vision put into practice. Such efforts
support the growth predictions In-Stat has made about the smartphone
industry as a whole and the mobile Linux platform in particular."
Founded in 2005, a la Mobile has already established itself as the
leader in developing and delivering one-stop, commercial-grade
complete Linux system stacks for mobile devices: integrated,
customized, certified, supported and maintained. The Company´s first
Linux system offering -- Convergent Linux Platform (CLP) version 1.0 -
based on the Qt application framework by Trolltech, was first
introduced in 2006 and adopted by several handset vendors.
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For Inquiries and Requests for Demonstrations, please contact:
Margie Gong
+1 (925) 242-2008
mgong@a-la-mobile.com
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About a la Mobile
a la Mobile, Inc. (www.a-la-mobile.com) is the premier open Linux
system platform and open source technology provider to the mobile
industry. Founded in 2005, a la Mobile´s mission is to develop and
deliver one-stop, commercial-grade complete Linux system stacks for
mobile devices -- integrated, customized, certified, supported and
maintained -- to enable handset vendors and mobile operators to
greatly accelerate their device time-to-market, ensure high quality
while reducing total development and device costs. The Company is led
by President and CEO Pauline Lo Alker, a serial high-tech entrepreneur
with a multiple success track record and backed by Venrock Associates
(www.venrock.com) and Grazia Equity GmbH (www.grazia.com). a la
Mobile, headquartered in San Ramon, California, has operations in the
U.S., China and Taiwan.