Orange and Access have released a press release that finally drops the word that there will actually be a device shipping with the Access Linux Platform. While it’s not an outright admission, both companies have made statements that an upcoming Samsung i800 smartphone will be the “first fully open Linux-powered device from Orange.”

The press release itself is actually about the two companies joining the LiMo foundation, which we posted about yesterday. Read on to view the full release.

Update: In an interview Yve Maitre of Orange says the Samsung i800 will ship by June. The phone will also run the “Orange Application Platform” (OAP), a “unified interface” which will run across multiple Orange signature phones.

Orange Joins LiMo Foundation to Mobilise Linux Industry

LONDON, February 11 /PRNewswire/ –

- Operator Announces the Samsung i800, the First Open Linux Handset From Orange

Orange today announced its entrance to the LiMo Foundation, a landmark move that marks a new era for mobile Linux, fostering unprecedented industry collaboration and a new future of exciting mobile services for customers. A leader in mobile open source development, Orange is underlining this significant move with the launch of the Samsung i800, the fully open, Linux-powered handset, which will be available to customers later this year.

“Orange was one of the first mobile operators to make significant strides in open source innovation,” says Yves Maitre, senior vice president, devices, Orange. “Together with our LiMo Foundation membership, today’s launch of the Samsung i800 shows that we are truly delivering on our commitment to mobilising Linux technology.”

In recognition of the company’s pioneering role in mobile Linux innovation, Orange has been invited to join the LiMo Foundation as a Founder Member; an honour reserved for very few new entrants. In this governing role, Orange will bring a wealth of mobile Linux experience to the organisation, alongside companies such as Motorola, NTT DoCoMo and Samsung, which share the common goal of accelerating the delivery of the first truly open, Linux-based operating system for mobile devices.

Yves Maitre says, “Our vision is for a truly open mobile community which delivers richer mobile services, more affordable devices and a better experience for our customers. We have already achieved part of this vision through the foundation of the LiPS Forum. Today, we are taking great strides forward, firstly by joining LiMo as a Founder member and unifying the mobile Linux industry and secondly, collaborating with Samsung and ACCESS to provide our customers with the first fully open Linux-powered device from Orange,” he adds.

ChulHwan Lee, Senior Vice President of Mobile Device Division, Samsung Electronics, says, “At Samsung, it is our highest priority to understand our consumers’ needs and to cater for these needs through continuous innovation. We also believe that collaboration within the industries for open mobile Linux will enable us to achieve these goals faster.” ChulHwan adds, “We are pleased that we share this vision with Orange to deliver this Linux-powered handset to market.”

Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS says, “ACCESS has a longstanding dedication to mobile Linux innovation and we are thrilled to offer the first handset to be powered by ACCESS Linux Platform together with Orange and Samsung. Toru concludes, “Being the first to deliver a Linux-powered platform for the Samsung i800 illustrates our commitment and vision to the best mobile Linux innovations for the best end-user experience.”

Yves Maitre says, “The key benefit of Linux technology is openness - the openness for partners and developers to launch more exciting products and applications than ever before.” Yves concludes, “To deliver the kind of services our customers want, both now and in the future, we believe it is essential that operators, vendors and developers work together closely to establish a consistent, fully open Linux environment that positively encourages new ideas and reduces fragmentation.”