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Sharp proved with the Zaurus series that Linux could make a solid foundation with which to build a PDA. So why aren't there any mobile handsets built on the open source platform shipping in the United States?

The world's number two mobile phone vendor, Motorola, has an answer in the form of the A780 smartphone—a mobile handset built on top of a flavor of Linux from MontVista. Due later this year, the A780 is Motorola's third Linux handset after the A760 and A768, both of which shipped only in Asia.

Here's what we know so far:

The quad-band mobile handset will offer data services based on EDGE technology, which is the next generation data exchange standard for GSM networks. Edge delivers performance three times faster than wired dial-up connections.

According to reports, the A780 should also includes a 1.3 megapixel camera for pictures and video, a video player, an MP3 player, and a 240 x 320 pixel resolution color touchscreen. It also has a built-in speakerphone and speaker independent voice dial.

With the A780, you need to keep mind that you won't be able to peruse, tryout and purchase applications from a store of thousands as you would with a Windows Mobile, Palm or Symbian smartphone. That's because Linux software for mobile devices is so rare. Fortunately, MontVista's operating system lets the A780 run Java software in addition to native applications. This greatly increases the well from which A780 owners can choose their software.

Enterprise data is stored directly in the phone using Sleepycat Software's Berkeley DB, a data manager with full transactional support. E-mail, calendar and contact information can also be synchronized over-the-air with Motorola's MOTOSYNC, a secure synchronization solution that lets you stay connected while out of the office.

The smartphone will also let you read Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files as well as surf the Web. It isn't clear if the A780 will let you edit documents in addition to viewing them

Motorola should ship the A780 somtime during the fourth quarter of this year.