Google to Verizon: LiMo? More Like Lamo … or LMAO

Google’s (GOOG) Open Handset Alliance is going to have to do a lot better than a few early prototype demos if it truly hopes to unify mobile Linux around its Android specification. Because rival LiMo Foundation is stepping up its game. And fast.

Earlier this year, LiMo uncrated a first wave of handsets running on its Linux-based software platform for mobile devices–18 devices from seven vendors. And now the foundation is adding some big names to its roster of mobile-phone outfits. This morning, LiMo announced eight new members, among them: Mozilla, developer of the Firefox Web browser and Verizon Wireless (VZ).

The companies’ membership is an important endorsement for LiMo–Verizon’s in particular. The mobile-phone player seems quite invested in LiMo and its vision of mobile Linux, which is far more Democratic than the OHA, which is one of those wonderful we’re-Google-and-Google-always-knows-best democracies. So much so that Verizon has declared LiMo’s to be its preferred mobile OS.

“We are wholeheartedly endorsing LiMo’s approach, and we are investing company resources, but we see the opportunity to have both the OHA and LiMo succeed and/or work together,” Kyle Malady, vice president of networks at Verizon Wireless, said during a conference call with reporters this morning. “LiMo is our platform of choice, but if there comes a point where we see there is benefit for our customers we will use OHA as well.”

(Image Credit: ThinkGeek)