Intel's open-sourced Mobin 2.1 operating system could give Microsoft some trouble in the desktop and mobile markets.
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CNET
is claiming that Intel's new open-source Moblin 2.1 (short for Mobile
Linux) operating system could take on Google's Android and even
Microsoft Windows in the mobile and desktop markets. CNET got a good
taste of Moblin 2.1 this week at the Intel Developer Forum, saying that
the OS will focus on a variety of devices including in-car systems,
smartphones, Mobile Internet Devices, and even nettops.
When
the OS finally hits the market, Moblin 2.1 will arrive in three
flavors: one for nettops, one for Netbooks, and one for handhelds. CNET
said that the smartphone version will run on Atom chip-based devices,
capable of touch-screen and gesture input. Users will be able to move
through different applications running in the background; the OS will
also provide shortcuts to social-networking applications.
As for
the Netbook aspect, CNET kept it short, saying that Dell recently began
selling its $299 Mini 10v Notebook with an option for Ubuntu Moblin
Remix, with other PC makers lined up to manufacture Moblin-based
netbooks as well. The nettop news was even shorter, saying that with
Windows XP on the way out, Microsoft will need to spit out a version of
Windows 7 that will be cheap enough for the Netbook and nettop market.
Intel is quietly watching with Moblin 2.1 cocked and ready for an
assault.
But, as CNET points out, overall the success of Intel's
Moblin 2.1 will depend on third-party software availability. The
company has launched its Atom Developer Program to draw in developers
for the new platform. "Moblin puts Intel in competition with Microsoft
on several fronts, opposing Windows Mobile on smartphones and Windows
desktop on Netbooks and nettops," CNET's Lance Whitney said. "But the
two still need to play together."
