Mozilla, Verizon Join LiMo Foundation

Verizon Wireless and Mozilla have signed on with the LiMo Foundation, a consortium developing a Linux-based mobile platform to rival Google's Android.

The LiMo Foundation is a consortium intend on developing a Linux-based mobile platform that, in theory, could rival Google’s much-touted Android mobile platform. Today, the foundation announced a slew of new members, including industry heavy-hitters Verizon Wireless and the Mozilla Corporation, expanding its membership to 40 companies and organizations since its launch in early 2007.

“This latest group of new members demonstrates the rapidly expanding reach of the LiMo ecosystem, and we are very excited by their commitment to further enrich the LiMo Platform and accelerate its adoption within all markets,” said LiMo’s executive director Morgan Gillis, in a statement.

Unlike Android—and proprietary platforms like Apple’s iPhone, the BlackBerry operating system, and Windows Mobile—the LiMo foundation aims to create a best-of-class mobile platform based on transparency and open standards in a trust-based process. The LiMo Foundation is open to all vendors, chipset makers, device manufacturers, and mobile operators, with the goal of creating a rich, open, and consistent ecosystem based around Mobile Linux. LiMo represents the most significant Linux-based competitor to Google’s Android initiative…although it’s important to note that neither have put products into consumers’ hands as yet.

Verizon Wireless is the first U.S. carrier to get on board with the LiMo Foundation, and has signed on as a Core member filling the final seat on the group’s board.

In addition to Verizon Wireless and Mozilla, LiMo picks up Sagem Technologies, SFR, SK Telecom, Kvaleberg AS, Red Bend Software, and Infineon Technologies as members.