RIZR Z6 - Motorola's Linux Phone For The US Market

Motorola is getting ready to release its first Linux handset for the US market. Unlike typical smartphones, the RIZR Z6 uses a single processor, an ARM11 core on the Freescale's i.MX31 system-on-chip, for both the basic real time tasks, such as signal processing, and the complex operating system. This helps to simplify the architecture and reduce power consumption.

The one-processor system has been made possible by the advances of MontaVista in adding real time capabilities to its Mobilinux operating system, so that it can now support tasks like modem control and voice processing.

The RIZR Z6 is also set up to work well with Microsoft products, such as Windows Media supporting 3G and EDGE downloads. The device is expected to ship by the middle of 2007. Read more...