Purple Labs, a leading supplier of embedded Linux solutions for mobile phones, announced today that its new Purple Magic feature phone has received LiMo Foundation certification. The 3G Linux phone is a LiMo Platform Type I device, and will serve as a reference product for ODMs and phone manufacturers wanting to accelerate time to market for low-cost 3G handsets.
"We are proud to have created the first LiMo-compliant feature phone," stated Simon Wilkinson, chief executive officer of Purple Labs. "Certification of Purple Magic is a significant milestone for LiMo, and reflects our shared commitment to drive Linux into mass-market phones."
Founded in January 2007 by industry leaders Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics and Vodafone, LiMo Foundation aims to create a rich ecosystem based on Linux, which will enable compelling and differentiated services for mobile users. Earlier this year, Purple Labs became the first commercial Linux platform for feature phones to join the consortium.
"We are delighted that Purple Labs is making a rapid contribution to our open mobile initiative," said Morgan Gillis, executive director, LiMo Foundation. "The Purple Magic design now makes it easier for any handset manufacturer to deliver LiMo-compliant feature phones – this will further accelerate mass adoption of LiMo as the leading global mobile Linux platform."
The Purple Magic phone developed by Purple Labs is based on NXP Semiconductors Nexperia Cellular System Solution 7210 for 3G and was unveiled last month by the two members of the LiMo Foundation as the first sub-$100 3G Linux mobile phone. The Purple Magic is a 3G Linux reference feature phone offering video telephony, music playback, high-speed Internet browsing and video streaming.
"Essentially, we've designed the complete phone – hardware and software – so our manufacturer partners can enter into production quickly, with little investment," added Wilkinson. "The economics of our Linux-based design make Purple Magic ideal for emerging markets like Southeast Asia, as well as first-time mobile users and prepaid users in any country,"
The Purple Magic phone is being exhibited at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain on February 11-14, 2008 at the LiMo Foundation booth (Hall 8 B135) and the NXP booth (Hall 8, B110).