Intel Launches Mobile Linux Project

An anonymous reader writes "Intel has unveiled an ambitious project aimed at developing open source software for mobile devices. The Moblin project comprises a Linux kernel, UI framework, browser, multimedia framework, and embedded Linux image creation tools, along with developer resources such as documentation, mailing lists, and an IRC channel. Intel says it hopes Moblin will serve as a 'point of integration' for multiple sub-projects, and appears eager to see devices such as its Mobile Internet Device design, and chipsets such as its Ultra Mobile Platform 2007 platform, be thoroughly supported by Linux. Although all of the projects currently focus on the Intel architecture, Moblin says it is open to hosting support for other processor architectures."

Comments

What about OpenMoko

[ookabooka]

What about OpenMoko? An open source and open hardware cell phone slated for consumer release around October 2007. If Intel wanted to do something seems getting involved there would be a great place to start. Had they have gotten involved a bit sooner they could have probably convinced the developers to use intel hardware instead of what they are currently using (I believe it is samsung . . don't quote me on that though).

Re:What about OpenMoko

[Benanov]

(at least as far as I can tell, you cant add CDMA to it and get it to work with sprint/verizon/cricket)

CDMA doesn't seem to be "open" hardware in the slightest, you need new firmware per carrier, at least that's what it seems like.

You'd also be paying some high patent premiums for that hardware to Qualcomm.

That and while it would be awesome in theory, most of those carriers (esp. Verizon) would rather lock everyone out of everything that doesn't use their network. It's going to take a lot of market force that's not there right now to get that to change (there are other ways but they all have huge drawbacks.)

Reinventing the wheel again?

[Gothmolly]

I hope this at least builds on the successes of OS distributions for devices like the Linksys NSLU2, the WRT54G, and the Sharp Zaurus series. These people have stable and tested toolchains, build practices, entire organizations set up around managing and maintaining Linux on these devices.

Re:Already existing projects

[morgan_greywolf]

With Nokia already backing Maemo based on GTK, and Trolltech's Qtopia based on Qt, what perceived need did Intel have for starting a new project to develop a mobile UI rather than joining an existing effort?

With HP backing Red Hat and IBM backing SuSE and Red Hat, why did Mark Shuttleworth start a new Linux distro, Ubuntu?

Answer: because if other projects didn't fill the bill, the easiest way to get what you want is to start new one, rather than trying to wrangle with the politics of the existing ones.

Re:Already existing projects

[LDoggg_]

"In another nod toward Nokia's 770 and N800 web tablets, the Intel/Red Flag MIDs will use the Matchbox window manager, alongside the proprietary Hildon UI and application framework."

Not sure why the article called it proprietary. Hildon and maemo are open source. The proprietary part is the build that Nokia puts out(along with media streamers,codecs, skype, etc.) called "Internet Tablet 2007" for the N800 (IT2006 for the 770).