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Ubuntu Mobile Announced
Placid writes "The BBC has up an article detailing the 'Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded' project which was announced by Matt Zimmerman, Ubuntu's CTO, on the Ubuntu developers mailing list. Zimmerman stated that 'These devices place new demands on open-source software and require innovative graphical interfaces, improved power management and better responsiveness.' According to the article, Intel will have their finger in the pie too, as they've recently announced a prototype device running Ubuntu. Part of the project's goal is to maximise the power saving abilities of a planned low-energy chip codenamed Silverthorn. The chip will be just one-seventh the size of normal chips, and consume only 10% of the power of existing processor. What does this mean for projects such as OpenMoko? Healthy competition, or the beginning of the end?"
http://projects.openmoko.org/
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That's not so much... Even http://opensource.y7.ath.cx/ doesn't cover them...
Sounds great, but rather bold prediction of using only 10% the power of existing chips. I seem to remember the crusoe chip being hyped like this, until it was released.
...will it run Beyrl?
The simple truth is that interstellar distances will not fit into the human imagination
- Douglas Adams
It seems like Ubuntu is gaining alot of momentum in different areas right now. I hope they can make all/alot/some of the objectives they set for themselves real.
Especially the fact that larger hardware/software companies are willing to work together with them (the Dell deal, now Intel with this chip) looks like a big step in the right direction! What's good for one distro is good for every distro as far as I'm concerned. If Ubuntu becomes more mainstream perhaps we'll finally be able to get some good drivers for our hardware and such!
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Unless it is based on anticompetitive practice, competition is always healthy.
If the other projects deserve to survive, because they add substantial value, then they will continue to exist. Otherwise not.
I have to say, I'd really appreciate a version of Ubuntu that would run on my iPaq. I installed Familiar but it wasn't all that exciting (it did, however, work. I don't want to take anything away from those guys.)
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Does anyone know when/where/how to get a hold of a phone capable of running an open os? Information is really scares on that subject, can seem to find many answers on the openmoko site. People are developing for it, so there must be a way to get a hold of one right?
The N800's Maemo distribution is based on Debian, and while it does have a development community, things are a bit lacking right now. Would be nice if this device were supported, since a dist for many devices will probably get more development done for it than a dist for approximately two devices.
Most embedded Linux installs are hand made. usually you do not need a full distro for an embedded device but a smaller subset to get the job done.
I hope that Ubuntu project can create something that is workable that also delivers where all other embedded linux distros fell on their face, Size and performance.
Honestly a kernel+busybox+your custom app is all that is needed for most embedded linux uses. and can be rolled together by your in house engineers in a day.
Now trying to make a inly multi-purpose low power generic device is a different story but is the exception in the world of embedded lnux.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
"Healthy competition, or the beginning of the end?"
...or a false dilemma?
Looking at the article, this seems to be more about a version of Ubuntu for Web tablets instead of mobile phones. It looks like Intel are using Ubuntu for their Nokia N800 style device.
At some point, somewhere, the entire internet will be found to be illegal.