An Open, Device-Independent Mobile Linux Platform in the Development - Ixonos Supports the Tizen Initiative

HELSINKI, Finland, September 29, 2011 -

The open-source ecosystem for smart mobile devices is getting new wind in its sails as LiMo Foundation and Linux Foundation announced the development of a new, open, device-independent software platform for the entire industry. The development of the new mobile Linux platform will be headed by the Linux Foundation, of which Ixonos is a member.

This open-source joint venture has already gathered a large number of supporters. Ixonos and other Nordic systems integrators Elektrobit, Nomovok, Cybercom and TDi have also publicly voiced their support for the Tizen initiative. The venture will offer significant new business opportunities for software companies that operate on the global market and have experience in MeeGo development projects.

“We strongly believe that there is a resounding need for a globally uniform open software platform. Tizen offers the industry and its players interesting opportunities as Internet-enabled devices continue to proliferate and as the home-electronics, automotive and telecommunications industries converge,” notes Kari Happonen, President and CEO of Ixonos.

The openness concept that drives the initiative creates faith in the mobile industry’s will to work together for a common goal, not just compete fiercely. The development of a unified platform brings together different players such as hardware manufacturers and telecommunications companies. Faster development of the platform will bring major benefits to all parties involved. Hardware manufacturers will be able to take advantage of new flexibility as they innovate devices. At the same time, development costs and times will be substantially reduced. The joint application store and the uniform, standards-based programming language will provide developers and service providers with a ready-for-use channel to consumers. End users will enjoy advanced functionality in devices and services as well as a wide selection of applications for various devices and, above all, the uniform user experience these features enable.    

Ixonos has strong expertise in mobile Linux platforms. “We have worked with mobile Linux since 2006: hundreds of our engineers have participated in the dozens of projects we have carried out together with several other companies. We are a Linux Foundation member and we intend to assume a very active role as Tizen developers and as enablers of a new level of openness,” says Antti Aumo, Vice President, Global Marketing.  

Ixonos provides its customers with solutions for the design and development of connected device and multichannel online services and mobile applications, based on various operating systems, including mobile Linux. These services are connected by our ambition to provide end users with superior mobile user experiences. When designing solutions and services that take advantage of wireless technology, Ixonos works with all major software platforms as well as on a platform-independent basis. However, our development work is not based on technology but on innovating new solutions and creating new, positive user experiences.

Links:

• Ixonos’ website: www.ixonos.com
• Ixonos on Twitter: twitter.com/IxonosTweets
• Ixonos on YouTube: www.youtube.com/IxonosOnline
• Tizen: https://www.tizen.org

Ixonos is a creative mobile solutions company. We develop wireless technologies, software and solutions for connected devices and mobile services. Together with our corporate customers, we design products and services that let consumers enjoy inspiring mobile experiences. We enhance the competitiveness of our customer companies by enabling superior user experiences as well as faster time-to-market for their devices and services. We have offices in Finland, China, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, Slovakia, South Korea and the U.S. Ixonos Plc is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. In 2010, the company’s turnover was 84.9 million euros and its operating profit was 5.3 million euros.

For more information, please contact:

Ixonos:

• Kari Happonen, President and CEO, tel. +358-400-700-761, kari.happonen@ixonos.com  
• Antti Aumo, Vice President, Global Marketing, tel. +358-40-505-0477, antti.aumo@ixonos.com

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