Purple Labs

Purple Labs is a French software company in the mobile phone sector, headquartered in Chambéry. The company principally develops and markets Linux-based software to mobile OEMs and ODMs. [cite web|url=http://www.purplelabs.com/about-vision.php|title=About Purple Labs|publisher=Purple Labs|accessdate=2008-08-06] With its 2008 purchase of Openwave's mobile software suite, it now owns the Openwave mobile browser, one of the most widely-used mobile internet browsers.

History

The company was founded in 2001 by Sebastien Soyer and Jean-Marie Andre. [cite web|url=http://www.purplelabs.com/about-management.php|title=Management|publisher=Purple Labs|accessdate=2008-08-06] Current chief executive officer Simon Wilkinson was appointed in October 2007, shortly after the firm raised $14.5 million in venture capital funding. [cite press release|url=http://www.webitpr.com/release_detail.asp?ReleaseID=6847|title=Purple Labs Names Simon Wilkinson CEO|date=October 10 2007|publisher=Purple Labs|accessdate=2008-08-06] On June 30 2008, Purple Labs acquired Openwave's mobile phone client software division, which develops browser and messaging client technologies, for $32 million. [cite news|url=http://news.cnet.com/LiMo-gets-Openwave-browser-and-messaging/2100-1039_3-6243218.html|title=LiMo gets Openwave browser and messaging|last=Mayer|first=David|date=7 July 2008|work=CNET Networks|accessdate=2008-08-06] On July 31 2008 the company agreed to acquire Sagem Communication's mobile phone software and associated engineering teams. [cite news|url=http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39454841,00.htm|title=Purple Labs snaps up Sagem mobile team|last=Barker|first=Colin|date=1 August 2008|work=ZDNet|accessdate=2008-08-06]

Products

*Linux Platform
*Application suite
*Purple Magic (reference Linux-based 3G mobile phone produced in conjunction with NXP Semiconductors) [cite news|url=http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/02/02/3g-phone-under-100|title=3G Linux phone comes in at under $100|last=Taylor|first=Paul|date=2 February 2008|work=The Inquirer|accessdate=2008-08-06]
*Mobile Browser (previously Openwave)
*Mobile Messaging client (previously Openwave, before this Magic4)

References