Linux Looks for a Home in Handhelds

Linux vendors have been trying to get the alternative operating system on your desktop. Now one of those companies has expressed an interest in putting Linux on handheld devices.

SuSE Linux, a German software distributor, wants to develop operating systems for the growing handheld market.

"Being a stable, flexible, and affordable operating system, Linux has without any doubt all chances to establish itself as a standard in this new market segment," says SuSE Chief Technical Officer Dirk Hohndel in a statement.

He stresses, however, that SuSE's core business targets will remain the server and desktop markets. "It is in this context that SuSE follows the developments in the handheld arena with great interest."

Hohndel said in November that he estimates Linux will capture 30 percent of the desktop market in the next two years, up from a current 5 to 8 percent. At present the platform is most popular in the server segment.

Regarding handhelds, SuSE spokesperson Wolfgang Herrmann says, "One prerequisite is that we have a good business model with this, and that we can cooperate with the major hardware vendors, which of course would have to support this."

Asked whether manufacturers of handheld devices supported the company's efforts, Herrmann says, "Yes, we have indications, but I can't give any details."

He declines to say when development of such an operating system might take place, but adds, "I'm sure there's more to come in the next months."

Currently the market for handheld operating systems is dominated by Palm Computing's Palm operating system and Microsoft's Pocket PC platform.