Access and PalmSource today have announced the Access Linux Platform (ALP). This new platform is the fusion of PalmSource’s Palm OS Linux efforts, as well as Access’s Linux plans prior to the acquisition of PalmSource. The OS will be backwards-compatible with Palm OS 5 and earlier software. However, it will not be compatible with Palm OS 6, code-named Cobalt. PalmSource was quick to note that Cobalt had been discontinued, and will never be released in any devices.
ALP will be the future roadmap for Palm OS devices, though Access has stated it will likely not be branded as Palm OS. ALP is also designed to be compatible with both traditional PDAs and Smartphones, a goal both Palm, Inc and PalmSource have tried to achieve in-house for years, though was only reached by Palm OS licensees such as Samsung.
Access also noted that the NetFront browser will be the primary browser for ALP. This does not preclude Palm continuing to use Blazer, as Blazer is an asset of Palm, Inc and not PalmSource.
