Chipmaker Broadcom and software developer Trolltech this week formed a partnership to create a multimedia voice over IP development platform based on Linux.

The development platform is intended for original equipment manufacturers that want to build what the companies call "next-generation" IP phones. It combines Broadcom's VoIP technology and Trolltech's Qtopia Linux platform and user interface for mobile devices.

The Qtopia software is considered next-generation because it supports advanced technologies like unified communications, which links business processes with presence information, e-mail, voice mail, instant messaging, and videoconferencing, to facilitate efficient communications. It also provides Web integration, allowing mobile users to access Web sites and multimedia on IP phones.

"Our Qtopia software is the foundation for 10 million-plus consumer electronic devices worldwide so this partnership with Broadcom will enable their customers to build customized next-generation IP and mobile devices with robust voice, video, web, and multimedia features," said Haavard Nord, Trolltech's CEO, in a statement.

Qtopia has been optimized for Broadcom's BCM1103 VoIP processors and BCM1180 multimedia co-processor intended for improved voice quality and rich graphical content on devices, according to Trolltech. The processors use low power and can enable applications such as two-way video calling.

The companies announced their plans at this week's Consumer Electronics Show taking place in Las Vegas, where Broadcom also partnered with Microsoft to develop technologies that will let consumers hook their TVs to the Internet for interactive digital television offerings. Microsoft said its Mediaroom Internet television client software will be used on set-top boxes with Broadcom's system-on-a-chip technology.