Linux-Based Smartphones will be available in October!

According to latest news from DigiTimes, Palm is expected to launch its first Linux-based smartphone in October, with the company likely to introduce more Linux models in the future, according to sources close to the company.

Palm's new smartphone will be based on the Linux platform developed for consumer devices by Wind River Systems – a continuation of cooperation between the two companies following Palm's launch of its "mobile companion," the Foleo, in the second quarter of this year, said the sources.

The Palm Foleo, an on-the-go device which can perform functions similar to a UMPC (ultra-mobile PC), is also based on the Linux platform from Wind River.

Palm's new Linux-based smartphone will help facilitate Linux applications between the smartphone and the Foleo, the sources noted.

Palm will also continue to cooperate with Microsoft to develop Windows Mobile-based devices, leaving the Palm OS (operating system) as a non-mainstream technology, the sources indicated.