“Ericsson will pay Red Hat to create specialized versions of the
Linux operating system in several Internet-enabled devices for the
home, said Kim Knuttila, general manager of Red Hat’s client
services group. In addition, Red Hat will help Ericsson adapt its
product line to Linux, and both companies will engage in joint
marketing and branding work, he said.”
“The first device from the partnership, demonstrated in February
and scheduled to go on sale later this year, is a two-part computer
phone. The device, the HS210 Screen Phone, has a base station and a
portable screen section, both running Red Hat Linux and connected
with the Bluetooth wireless communications technology. The device,
which Knuttila said uses Intel’s StrongArm processor, comes with a
touch screen, speakerphone, Java software, Web browser and email
client.”
“The Ericsson partnership is an example of Red Hat’s
business model to make money selling services based on Linux… The
Red Hat deal comes at a momentous time for Ericsson. The company,
one of the leaders in wireless communications, is seeing a flood of
competitors enter the market it helped create.”