Even as the first Android prototypes were being shown off, the LiMo Foundation announced the first handsets running its version of mobile Linux. There were 18 models from seven vendors shown at the Mobile World Congress, including ones from LG, Motorola, NEC, Panasonic and Samsung.

Morgan Gillis, executive director of the LiMo Foundation, says the number of handsets and vendors using the LiMo platform show it is a “unifying force” in mobile Linux. Of course, several of those vendors also are making Android phones, as well as other flavors of Linux.

The foundation also announced that Orange and Access have joined the foundation. Orange will become a “founder” member along with Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic, Samsung and Vodafone. Access will be a “core” member and have a seat on the board.

Meanwhile, Trolltech announced that its newest Qtopia Phone Edition Linux-based software will support a touchscreen interface. Version 4.3 also provides synchronization with Microsoft Outlook, enhanced multimedia support, faster start-up, and improvements for telephony. Trolltech was acquired recently by Nokia.