Moblin Linux 2.1 for smartphones

Intel at its Developer Forum keynote entered the smartphone field in earnest with the first edition of Moblin Linux for handsets. Version 2.1 is reworked to optimize the interface for touchscreen phone input and adds a panel-based interface for app switching, somewhat like the metaphor used in Palm's webOS. The software still centers on features from Moblin 2.0 like dedicated media playback and a full web browser.

The software could lead to the first Intel-based smartphones. Although the chipmaker has collaborated with Nokia on oFono, the open-source platform hasn't been specifically intended for x86 processors.

Regardless of Moblin's use, Intel is also poised to introduce its own architecture to smartphones next year when its Atom processors are moved to a 32 nanometer assembly process that will make them small and power-efficient enough to work properly in these devices. Even with the imminent 45 nanometer Atom platform, nicknamed Pine Trail, Intel has rarely had success winning a place in hardware smaller than mobile Internet devices. These have already fared relatively poorly in the market and only occasionally use Moblin. [via Engadget]

By Electronista Staff