We all know that Palm is hard at work on a next-gen Linux-based OS [1]. We also know that the company is increasingly trying to distance itself from its PDA past by inching closer and closer to the hot smartphone market [2]. So a Linux-based smartphone seems like just what the doctor ordered, doesn't it? Well, that's exactly what we're going to see in October, if the latest rumors are to be believed--but wait, there's a twist. According to the rumor mill, the phone will run the Wind River Systems version of Linux found in the Palm Foleo [3]--not the Access Linux Platform (ALP) that we've all been eagerly anticipating [4]. That might take a little wind out of the old sails, though admittedly, Palm could really use a next-gen smartphone and soon, no matter what the cost.

For more on the rumor:
- see this Digitimes article [5]