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While Symbian and Android promise, Linux continues to hit new phones

Symbian and Android talk a big game, but only the LiMo Foundation is actually playing on the court right now.

Matt Asay Contributing Writer
Matt Asay is a veteran technology columnist who has written for CNET, ReadWrite, and other tech media. Asay has also held a variety of executive roles with leading mobile and big data software companies.
Matt Asay

Motorola quietly released a series of new Linux-based mobile phones this week. There's been a lot of noise around Symbian moving to open source and Google's Linux-based Android mobile platform, but both open-source Symbian and Android are still just press releases and talk.

Motorola's new ROKR line, however, is available now. You don't have to wait to buy a Linux-based phone. You can start calling with one today.

Who is behind these phones? The LiMo Foundation, which has been releasing a slew of new handsets and signing up new partners. By the time that Symbian and Android arrive at the party, will it be too late?