“Toshiba and 22 other Japanese consumer electronics and software
firms said today they have agreed to cooperate in developing
Linux-based operating systems for digital electronics products. The
move, which aims to create industry-standard operating systems for
use in items such as mobile phones and car navigation systems, is
in line with a global industry trend for competitors to join forces
to share hefty development costs.”
“The united effort by major consumer electronics makers may also
help expand the use of Linux… Initial members of the consortium
include Sony, NEC, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electric and
TurboLinux Japan, a subsidiary of U.S.-based TurboLinux. Tokyo’s
Waseda University and Toyohashi University of Technology in
southern Japan will also participate. The world’s largest consumer
electronics maker, Matsushita Electric Industrial, which is not at
present a member, has also shown an interest…”
“The formation of the consortium by Japanese electronics
manufacturers, front-runners in the global consumer electronics
market, will be a major tailwind for Linux,” ING’s Hata
said.”