Motorola Likes Microware’s OS-9 for Communicators

With its Magic Cap-based Envoy, its Newton-based Marco, and it’s Windows-based FORTÉ CommPad, you’d think that Motorola already had enough on its plate in terms of wireless communicators. However, the company continues to look forward and outward, most recently purchasing an 11 percent stake in the embedded software developer, Microware Systems Corp.

Microware, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is a privately held company that has developed a real-time operating system called OS-9. Together with Motorola, Microware will work on crafting OS-9 to function with a new generation of Motorola communication products. While details are still sketchy, it’s highly likely that the software will be designed around Motorola’s PowerPC and venerable 68K architectures.

In addition to contemplating the future of wireless communication devices, Microware has been busy adapting OS-9 to work with a new generation of set-top boxes for interactive television. The result is a system called DAVID, or Digital Audio/Video Interactive Decoder. This field remains an active area of interest for Microware with numerous manufacturers currently using DAVID in trials.

Motorola characterizes OS-9 as a highly modular and lightweight system that will take some work to bring into line for use with next generation communication devices.

Microware was founded nearly 20 years ago by present-day CEO Ken Kaplan. With interest in Microware growing, rumors are circulating about a possible IPO being under consideration. Meanwhile, Motorola is not shy about purchasing the technology it needs, having completed its acquisition of handwriting developer Lexicus late last year.

Microware Systems Corp.
1900 N.W. 114th St.
Des Moines, Iowa 50325-7077
(515) 224-1929
(515) 224-1352 (fax)