Linked by Thom Holwerda on Fri 9th Sep 2005 10:36 UTC, submitted by anonymous
Mobile browser-maker Access announced Friday that it will acquire Palm OS developer PalmSource in an all-cash transaction for approximately $324 million. The acquisition adds operating system platform expertise and Linux development resources to Access's existing "content delivery and Internet access software" for mobile devices, the companies said.
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The fact that the company is unknown, doesn't make it a loser or something. Access is maker of NTTDocomo's (Imode) browser and responsible for the browser for the hugely succesful Nokia Series 60 and - more recently - the thing for Sony PSP. And now they buy Palmsource, which bought a Chinese mobile linux maker itself and still has some Be technology.
As far as I know, Palmsource will switch the kernel of its OS to a Linux kernel, like in the past the already changed a kernel three or four times without telling. Meaning: Api's and interfacing will remain the same.
Basically this unknown Jap browser maker thus buys himself an OS maker with a losing product now (PalmOS) but with huge installed user base and two alternative OS options in development: Cobalt (Be-variant with the multithreading problems) and Chinese Linux magic. Since those users won't go away in a year (Linux kernel will be available around May 2006 or something), it basically means this Jap company can upgrade their product line from a browser to an OS, which already has a userbase to serve. Nice startingpoint for a serious next generation Linux based Smartphone.