Samsung has joined the Linux Foundation to make the maximum use of the open source software across the Linux platform. The company’s ecosystem is completely surrounded by the Open Source software, right from Android to some parts of their own OS.
Samsung has been into this open source business for too long now, and looks like they just got cozy with Linux Foundation. The company has become a Platinum Member of Linux Foundation, which now gives them a seat as the Board of Directors of the Foundation. Samsung has given hefty amount of cash for the community and now, the plans are kept under the wraps both by the company and the Linux Foundation.
But wait, what about Google, IBM and Intel who have been into the Linux Foundation for so long? Well, Samsung just overtook them and went a step further in taking the seat at the Board. It would be interesting to see how the company would make use of the Linux Foundation in the months to come. There’d surely be some change in their own software.
Samsung Electronics Joins Linux Foundation at Platinum Level
By Linux_Foundation – June 5, 2012 – 3:54pm
World’s largest device maker places strategic, long-term investment in the Linux platform
YOKOHAMA, Japan, June 6, 2012 – The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux, today announced that Samsung Electronics, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, is joining the organization as a Platinum member.
The company’s investments in Android and other Linux-based operating systems and tools are contributing to its success as the world’s largest device maker. Samsung Electronics uses Linux throughout its company, across product lines, divisions and geographies. For example, Samsung Electronics’ Android-based Galaxy series has been met with positive reviews and is experiencing high demand in all regions around the globe, alongside other Linux-based consumer electronics such as televisions and home appliances. By using Linux, the company can innovate on device design and functionality, offering a large variety of electronics products at varying price points.
With today’s announcement, Samsung Electronics is reiterating its commitment to Linux and investing its resources in a platform it believes will help sustain its global leadership position. The company will work with The Linux Foundation on streamlining its participation with the kernel community and adopting open source best practices.
“By becoming a leader among its peers in Linux and open source software, Samsung Electronics is clearly raising the bar for innovation once again,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director at The Linux Foundation. “The company’s commitment to Linux and investment in its development firmly plants it in a position to continue its achievements in the mobile, embedded and consumer electronics markets. This is a strategic business decision that will result in advancing Samsung Electronics’ success and accelerating Linux development work.”
“The Linux Foundation is an important organization. It brings the right people and resources together to help companies and developers advance Linux for everyone,” said WonJoo Park, Vice President, Samsung Electronics. “We’re looking forward to increasing collaboration and support for our growing portfolio of Linux-based devices and to making contributions that advance Linux for all.”
There are three classes of corporate membership at The Linux Foundation: Silver, Gold and Platinum. The Platinum level of membership is the highest level of membership. Samsung Electronics joins an influential group of companies that have exhibited tremendous leadership and support for Linux and, as a Platinum member, will have a seat on The Linux Foundation’s Board of Directors.
The mobile and embedded markets are rapidly growing areas for Linux. The Linux Foundation hosts technical projects and Linux events, as well as focused Linux training services that help advance the platform in these areas. Examples include the Consumer Electronics Linux workgroup, Yocto Project, The Linux Foundation Labs project Tizen and Embedded Linux Conferences, among others.
For more information about Linux Foundation Corporate Membership, please visit: http://www.linuxfoundation.org/about/join/corporate.