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Filed under: OS Updates, Mobile

ACCESS Linux Platform 3.0 released: Yes it's another mobile phone OS

ALP 3.0
You know how Palm hasn't released an updated version of PalmOS in a while? Yeah, they still haven't. But ACCESS, the company that used to be known as PalmSource yesterday announced that ACCESS Linux Platform 3.0 is ready to go. ALP is designed to be compatible with old PalmOS applications while offering new capabilities and security enhancements.

ALP could show up on future mobile phones and PDAs. But here's the rub - you might not find it on future Palm branded devices, because Palm is still working on its own operating system.

ACCESS Linux Platform will come in two flavors. ALP supports PalmOS Garnet apps and native Linux apps designed for LiMo devices. There's also a new ALP mini platform that's designed for "feature phones" instead of smartphones. ALP Mini won't support PalmOS apps and isn't LiMo capable, but it should be good enough for most phones that you use primarily to make calls, send text messges, and maybe do a little web surfing.

[via Palm InfoCenter]

Filed under: OS Updates, Palm, Mobile Minute

Access begins to show off its PalmOS replacement

ALPIf you're tired of looking at the turn of the century operating systems on your Palm Treo, you're not alone. It's been years since Palm (once the industry leader) has managed to push out a major update to its antiquated mobile operating system. And now there are two companies working on replacements for Palm Garnet.

We haven't heard much from Palm Inc on the company's next operating system. But Access, the company Palm had selected to write the next OS before deciding to do it in house appears to be ready to roll with ALP or the Access Linux Platform. The only problem is that the company doesn't seem to have any major phone makers/wireless carriers signed up yet.

Ed Hardy at Brighthand got a good look at the new ALP operating system. Basically, it's a full fledged mobile Linux OS with a compatibility layer that lets you run older Palm applications. There's also a Java machine, which means that you can install PalmOS, ALP, or Java applications on the phone. They all show up in the launcher menu and you'll never really know what's happening under the hood. Applications will just pop up when you hit their icons, the way it was always meant to be.

ALP also supports true multitasking, so you can run programs in the background while using other apps in the foreground. Little icons will show up in the task bar showing you which programs are open and letting you easily switch from one to another. Overall, ALP doesn't look seem particularly revolutionary when compared to Symbian or Windows Mobile devices. But it makes Garnet look like a bit of a dinosaur. Not that that's a difficult thing to do.

[via jkOnTheRun]

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