MontaVista Software will soon start shipping a Linux operating system designed for mobile phones that MontaVista said will increase flexibility and cut costs for handset manufacturers.

Mobilinux 4.0, based on the Linux 2.6 kernel, is scalable from lower-end handsets to higher-end smart phones, said Jacob Lehrbaum, product manager for wireless and mobile devices for MontaVista.

MontaVista said the new operating system includes performance improvements, such as faster boot-up times, and power management enhancements.

Mobilinux 4.0 will ship later this quarter.

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Copyright © 2005 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in PC Magazine.