leaders delivering an open handset platform for the whole mobile industry, unveiled today another wave of handsets using the LiMo Platform™. The seven new devices from Motorola, NEC and Panasonic Mobile Communications offer consumers around the globe a host of applications and services that enhance the mobile experience.

“The combination of LiMo’s transparent governance model, balanced development model and extensive mobile industry heritage sets it apart and has garnered strong industry support and engagement,” said Morgan Gillis, executive director of LiMo Foundation. “This next wave of LiMo handsets points to the innovation that will flow as the industry coalesces on the LiMo Platform.”

The commercially shipping LiMo handsets being announced today are:

• MOTOZINE™ ZN5 from Motorola;
• FOMA N906i, FOMA N906iμ, FOMA N906iL and FOMA N706i from NEC and
• FOMA P906i and FOMA P706iμ from Panasonic Mobile Communications.

There are now 21 mobile handset models available using the LiMo Platform, the industry’s first collaboratively developed, Linux-based operating system for mobile devices. The new Motorola model—the company’s seventh LiMo handset— combines a high-quality phone and camera experience. The models from NEC and Panasonic Mobile Communications—which give the companies eight and six LiMo handsets, respectively—are available in Japan.

Several of the latest LiMo handsets include advanced enabling features that herald the forthcoming Mobile 2.0 experience for global consumers. These include international 3G/High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) roaming capabilities, Global Positioning System (GPS), mobile TV and advanced video streaming, secure payment and advanced mail functionalities—all presented through higher-resolution displays and intuitive user interfaces. More details on the new LiMo devices can be found through the Handsets section of www.limofoundation.org.

“LiMo was founded on the notion that fragmentation of the mobile industry among dozens of proprietary, closed operating systems was inhibiting innovation,” said Kiyohito Nagata of NTT DOCOMO, chairperson of LiMo Foundation. “With such a variety of industry players cost-effectively adopting the LiMo Platform for non-differentiating handset middleware, more development resources are being devoted to enhancing the consumer experience. This new wave of LiMo handsets serves as proof.”

       MOTOZINE ZN5                             FOMA N906i                                                      FOMA N906iμ

         FOMA N906iL

    FOMA N706i

                 FOMA P906i

 FOMA P706iμ

About LiMo Foundation

LiMo Foundation is a dedicated consortium of mobile industry leaders working together within an open and transparent governance model—with shared leadership and shared decision making—to deliver an open and globally consistent handset software platform based upon Mobile Linux for use by the whole mobile industry. A full description of LiMo, including its vision, goals, charter, guiding principles, bylaws and membership information, can be found at www.limofoundation.org.

About Motorola

Motorola develops technologies, products and services that make mobile experiences possible. The company portfolio includes communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility solutions, digital set-tops, cable modems, mobile devices and Bluetooth accessories. Motorola is committed to delivering next generation communication solutions to people, businesses and governments.

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation is one of the world's leading providers of internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its diverse and global base of customers.

About Panasonic Mobile Communications

Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd., whose headquarters are based in Yokohama, Japan, is a leader in the development and manufacture of mobile communications products. As one of the main business domains for Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand digital electronics, Panasonic Mobile has been developing cutting edge technologies since its establishment in 1958, including the world's first 3G video handset for the Japanese market in 2001. Panasonic Mobile is committed in providing added-value solutions to end-users through its mobile communication products.

Information Source:    LiMo Foundation