It looks like Google's looming entry into the mobile world has inspired future competitors to stop relaxing and actually do something. With mobile computing platforms touted as the future, companies want to get a piece of the action before the apparently high future demand kicks in.

ZDNet reports on the increasing ranks of LiMo:

The companies announced their LiMo memberships here on Monday at the Mobile World Congress. Both companies come bearing gifts. The European operator Orange plans to launch a "fully open, Linux-powered handset" in partnership with Access and fellow LiMo member Samsung Electronics. Access is offering developers a software development kit and developer portal to help port thousands of applications from its Garnet operating system to the new LiMo platform.

LiMo is a mobile platform that is designed to be as open and interoperable as possible. The group already has actual working units, and promises a market release this March.