Toshiba, Sony and 21 other Japanese electronic and software firms said on Thursday they have agreed to jointly develop a Linux-based operating system (OS) for digital electronics products.
The move aims to cut hefty development costs by creating an industry-standard OS for use in goods such as mobile phones and car navigation systems, a consortium spokesman said.
"We will call for other companies in Japan and from overseas to participate in the consortium," he said.
Initial members will include NEC, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electric and TurboLinux Japan, US-based TurboLinux Inc`s Japanese subsidiary.
Tokyo`s Waseda University and Toyohashi University of Technology in southern Japan will also participate.
Consortium members will have free access to the OS, which they can modify for use in their own digital electronics and mobile phones.
Further details will be announced at a 2 p.m. (0500 GMT) news conference at which the consortium will be unveiled, the spokesman said.
There are some 70 kinds of OS, including Windows CE developed by software giant`s Microsoft, used in such digital information products, home electronics, automobiles and industrial machinery.
Linux is a computer operating system that performs functions broadly similar to Microsoft`s Windows.
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