Web, messaging going mobile with open source

SILICON VALLEY — The web and mobile phones are getting hitched. That’s evident in a deal being announced today between start-ups Funambol and Laszlo Systems.

Funambol, based in Redwood City, Calif., makes mobile messaging software based on open source software. The messaging software has contact synchronization software and push e-mail features. Laszlo Systems, meanwhile, makes an open-source web-based communications suite that includes e-mail , contacts, and calendar. Laszlo is based in San Mateo, Calif.

Now the two companies are integrating their products so that users can access the same e-mail and other data from the web or mobile phones. Cell phone carriers can thus have a new option for integrating communications software into their phones, beyond mobile offerings from Google, Yahoo, AOL and Hotmail. Both Funambol and Laszlo say their offering is competitive with suites of those vendors.

The companies say that carriers can offer the integrated products to users for free and generate ad revenue as a result. Funambol says its software is available to 1.5 billion mobile phone users, though it doesn’t say how many users it has. The integrated software is available at either company’s web site.

In March, Laszlo raised $6. 6 million in a third round of funding from existing investors including: WI Harper Group, General Catalyst Partners, Sofinnova Ventures, Mitsui & Co. Venture Partners, and other private investors. Funambol raised money in 2007 and its investors include Walden International, HIG Ventures, and The Golden Mouse.