VirtualLogix, formerly Jaluna, introduced the availability of its VLX Mobile eXperimentation (VLX-MX) Edition for handsets. VLX-MX will be freely available this quarter, and will allow customers to evaluate VirtualLogix's mobile handset solution and begin development without any investment risk.

With the real-time virtualization software from VirtualLogix, handset makers are developing feature-rich mobile handsets on single-processor core chips, and lowering the bill of materials, while simultaneously increasing security and reliability with the use of Linux.

"Virtualization technology is playing a vital role in the rapid adoption of Linux, which drives performance and technology enhancements in the handset market," said Haila Wang, president, Linux Phone Standards Forum. "However, in order to easily adopt Linux, manufacturers need solutions to help them overcome development issues. VirtualLogix's MX Edition provides an innovative way to test virtualization technologies and gauge the type of cost savings and other benefits that it provides."

To date, the cost of dual-core processors has limited handset manufacturers ability to ship a Linux-based phone to the mass market. VLX-MX allows a commercial or proprietary real-time operating system and Linux operating system to run simultaneously on a single ARM926 core, without the need for an additional application processor.

"Integrating rich functionalities such as multimedia, financial transactions and digital rights management in an open system, and having it work securely in real-time with basic phone services is impossible to achieve with only one proprietary real-time operating system. Linux plus real-time virtualization is the solution," said Mark Milligan, vice president of marketing at VirtualLogix. "VLX for Mobile Handsets, eXperimentation Edition enables our customers to experience, first-hand, how virtualization can speed the creation of compelling, break-through products."

VLX-MX is available to qualified customers for development purposes, but is restricted from product deployment. It is free to download and will be available on the VirtualLogix Web site in Q1 2007. Customers can be notified when VLX-MX is available by registering, here.

Posted by David Marshall on February 18, 2007 03:00 PM