Intel bets on open-source for Internet-ready devices
By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 02:15:00 04/06/2008
SHANGHAI, China – Intel is betting on open source as the platform of choice in powering a new category of Internet-ready devices.
The chipmaker announced Midinux, a version of the Linux operating system for a new category of non-PC mobile Internet devices (or MIDs) that run on Intel's Atom processor.
Intel partnered with Asianux, a consortium of Asian open source companies led by Chinese firm Red Flag, in developing Midinux.
Midinux is also a result of the Moblin.org Intel's open source project that would allow open source developers to create applications on MIDs.
Renee James, vice president and general manager Intel software solutions group, said Moblin.org is getting strong support, in particular, from the Asia Pacific open source community.
James stressed the need for an ecosystem for developers, similar to that on a PC environment, to allow applications to be compatible from one device to another.
"Every new product category requires a new software environment," said James in her keynote at Intel's developer forum here. "For MIDs, we are creating that ecosystem."
Intel also announced a free toolset for software developers supporting Linux for MIDs available at www.intel.com/software/products/mid
Device makers, including Aigo, Clarion, BENQ and Lenovo, will release Moblin-based products soon, Intel said.
Software makers Adobe, Real Networks and more than 40 others ISVs are likewise making their products compatible with Moblin-based devices, according to Intel.
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