The LiMo Foundation is one of the only direct Linux competitors to Android that Google will have to worry about. While their Open Handset Alliance has got many big players in their own camp, LiMo has quite a few as well. Today, they add eight more to the list, and some large names are showing up now. Today, Mozilla, Verizon, and SK Telecom were announced to be joining the initiative.

LiMo has the support of giants in the industry. Carriers like Vodafone, SK Telecom, NTT DoCoMo, Softbank, Verizon, and Orange. AMD, Broadcom, Ericsson, Infineon, and Texas Instruments will handle the technology. Samsgung, LG, Motorola, and Panasonic are major manufactures heading up the devices. Mozilla will provide all the Mobile Firefox that will be needed, and even McAfee is on the project.

Verizon is on the board as a core member, filling the last available seat on this board. LiMo aims to create a world competitive Linux platform for devices around the world to use. The project is designed to be open and scalable, while providing all the modern functionality needed. The platform is open to any manufacturer or vendor, and will have no royalties to use.

Editor’s note:  It’s important to understand that Verizon Wireless is not adopting the Linux Operating System at the exclusion of other Operating Systems.  Today, Verizon Wireless supports multiple Operating Systems and the company will continue supporting that agnostic approach.  Source close to Phone Magazine shared that “Verizon Wireless expects that Linux Mobile will rapidly become its preferred Operating System, and the O.S. that developers will look to first.  As the development community looks at how best to bring new applications to the marketplace, they should check out LiMo and Linux Mobile first.  But there will certainly be room for others, and Verizon Wireless committed to a diverse offering here in the States.” -Vincent Nguyen