ARM and VIA join Linux Foundation

Two designers of low-power microprocessors – ARM and Via Technologies – this month joined the Linux Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to standardizing Linux operating system. Both companies said that see huge opportunities for Linux in mobile devices, but while ARM processors power the vast majority of mobile phones, chips from Via are only found in a few netbooks (which are sold only in China) and low-power desktop/embedded applications.

In fact, ARM has long been a contributor to the Linux kernel. As the importance of Linux in mobile and embedded markets continues to grow, ARM membership and partnership with leading semiconductor and device manufacturers will help to strengthen the mobile computing software ecosystem and extend the market reach for Linux-based products.