Qualcomm Chips to Support Linux

Qualcomm announced on Thursday that its new chips for UMTS and CDMA2000 will support Linux, meaning handset makers will be able to use the open source operating system on handsets for Smartphones and other 3G devices.

The support of Linux on Qualcomm chips marks the first time a third-party operating system has been supported by the company.

"By introducing Linux on the MSM, QUALCOMM supports manufacturer partners who wish to leverage existing Linux applications, third-party developers and application catalogs to reduce their software development costs and improve time-to-market," said Dr. Sanjay K. Jha, president of Qualcomm CDMA Technologies.

Jha also said that the company is looking into expanding the capabilities of its chips to support other third-party operating systems as well. The chips will support BREW, a technology used to create mobile phone applications, and will come preloaded with user interfaces and the ability to expand features through content and application downloads.

The first chips to see Linux support will be ones based on the company's CDMA 2000, with plans to eventually move into UMTS, HSDPA, and CDMA 1x EV-DO.

Qualcomm was the creator of CDMA technology, which was first introduced in 1995. Most commonly used in the United States and Asia, about a quarter of the world's cell phones are now based on CDMA.