A la Mobile is hoping to help fuel the supply of converged Wi-Fi and GSM phones with a new version of its Linux-based mobile phone software package.
One major criticism of converged services is the small number of handsets available on the market. Their are only about a dozen handsets are on the market, and though they have the merit of existing we can't say that they are that exciting. A la Mobile proposes to change all that. They have designed a new Linux system stack that is supposed to make it easier for handset vendors to quickly build and deliver converged phones that can enable VoIP over WiFi and GSM voice services. The pre-integrated and pre-tested software stack includes a SIP-based VoIP client and applications that include a browser, email and Java. So far only Gupp Technologies, a Malaysian phone maker, is the only manufacturer to license A la Mobile's platform. The handset maker plans to begin selling the phone some time during the second quarter.